Research that matters to protecting the health and safety of workers

The Institute for Work & Health (IWH) is a Canadian leader in work injury and disability prevention research. An independent, not-for-profit organization, IWH conducts and shares actionable research to promote, protect and improve the health and safety of working people.

Latest news & findings

Text reads: At the next IWH Speaker Series presentation... Unveiling the JDAPT: A new interactive tool to identify work-related support strategies for workers with chronic conditions and disability. Dr. Monique Gignac. Tuesday March 21, 2023, 11a.m.-12p.m. www.iwh.on.ca. Background image shows a woman at her laptop, reading a document, in her dining room.

IWH unveiling tool to help workers with chronic conditions find job-tailored supports

An evidence-based tool from the Institute for Work & Health (IWH) helps workers with chronic conditions learn about customized job supports and modifications that can help them continue to work safely, comfortably and productively. On March 21 at an IWH Speaker Series webinar, Senior Scientist Dr. Monique Gignac unveils the new Job Demands and Accommodation Planning Tool (JDAPT) developed by the Accommodating and Communicating about Episodic Disabilities (ACED) partnership. She describes the tool, how it works and the studies conducted to back it up.

Sign up for the webinar

Yellow tinted picture of two people in safety helmets walking up a set of stairs. Superimposed white text reads: At Work

The Winter issue of At Work is out!

In the issue, read about: 

  • A new research program on AI, work and health
  • IWH's OHS Vulnerability Measure's high ranking in a study of leading indicators
  • The inclusion of the 'Seven Principles' in Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba's updated return-to-work workshop 

And more...

Go to the issue

Text reads: One in four young adults in the U.S. have persistently poor mental health from their mid-teens to their mid-30s. These young adults also earn the lowest among their same-age peers. That's according to an IWH study of 8,000 young adults in the U.S., based on follow-up surveys over two decades. Black and white images of young people in the corner

New study looks at mental health and earnings of U.S. young adults over 20-year span

A study based on a large, nationally representative sample of 8,000 individuals in the U.S. looked at their earnings and mental health over 20 years. It found those with poor mental health are also the ones with the lowest earnings.

Find out more

Overhead view of two people in safety helmets walking up the stairs in a plant

IWH’s OHS Vulnerability Measure leads pack in study of leading indicator tools

In an Australian study of five occupational health and safety (OHS) leading indicator tools around the world, a measure developed by the Institute has come out ahead for its ability to pick up workers’ risk of reporting a physical injury or a near-miss at work. The OHS Vulnerability Measure is now one of two tools recommended by the study team for use by the local workers’ compensation authority.

Read about the study

At the next IWH Speaker Series presentation, race and ethnic inequities in RTW, with Dr. Arif Jetha and Dr. Faraz Vahid Shahidi. January 17, 2023, 11a.m. to noon

IWH Speaker Series: Findings from systematic review on racial and ethnic inequities in RTW

Studies to date have found evidence of racial inequities in work-related injuries and illnesses, but what about in return to work (RTW)? On January 17, in the first IWH Speaker Series presentation of 2023, an IWH team shares findings from a systematic review on racial inequities in the reintegration of injured or ill workers. The team will also discuss opportunities to address obstacles faced by workers of colour in RTW and provide recommendations for future research.

Watch the slidecast

IN THE CURRENT ISSUE...

IWH's OHS Vulnerability Measure comes out ahead in study of leading indicator tools.

IWH scientist launches a research program on AI, work and health.

One in four young adults in the U.S. have poor mental health—and the lowest earnings among their peers.

And more....

Read the issue

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Tools and guides

Integrate evidence-based policies and practices into your occupational health and safety, return-to-work and rehabilitation programs. IWH has created a number of tools and guides based on our research findings that can help improve program outcomes.

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Impact case studies

Find out how IWH research is making a difference. Read our impact case studies, in which policy-makers, workplaces and other stakeholders in health, safety and disability prevention tell how IWH research helped improve their policies, programs and practices.

Go to case studies

Research summaries

Whether it’s a policy briefing, a systematic review summary or the highlights of a specific research project, we’ve compiled a number of plain-language summaries to help you understand the research we’re doing, what we have found, and how we found it.

Get the summaries

Events

Learn directly from the researchers themselves about their latest findings in health, safety and disability prevention. We host regular presentations (in person or live stream) through our IWH Speaker Series and our annual Nachemson lecture.

See upcoming events