Plain-language summaries
Institute for Work & Health (IWH) plain-language summaries condense research findings in various formats. At Work articles explain study results with comments from the study leads. Research Highlights summarize journal articles in easy-to-read, digest formats. Sharing Best Evidence summaries highlight findings from systematic reviews and other types of reviews conducted or led by IWH researchers. Issue Briefings discuss key research findings from IWH or elsewhere on topics that are of particular interest to policy-makers.
Research Highlights
Some tasks put carpenters at higher risk for low-back pain
According to the first ergonomic analysis of job tasks in residential carpentry, some tasks put carpenters at significant risk of injury to the low back. First among them is standing or framing walls.
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Research Highlights
Do chiropractors recommend back radiographs too frequently?
Compared to trainees, practising chiropractors use radiography more often. Reasons include attendance at seminars or courses encouraging radiography use, financial pressures or fear of malpractice.
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Research Highlights
Workplace health and safety management systems show promise
A systematic review finds several studies showing mostly favourable evidence for occupational health and safety management system (OHSMS) interventions. However, a lack of high-quality evidence means recommendations cannot be made in favour or against any particular one.
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Research Highlights
Citations, penalties from inspectors reduce workplace injuries
For regulation to be effective, regulators need to "be in the field" undertaking investigations and actively seeking out cases of non-compliance for regulation to be effective. The mere possibility of being inspected, cited and fined is not as effective as actually being inspected.
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Research Highlights
How young workers view workplace injuries
Young workers view workplace injuries as "part of the job," particularly when the injuries don't require medical attention, study finds. Furthermore, these workers generally don't think these less severe injuries are of interest to their managers.
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At Work article
Centre links MSD researchers from many disciplines
The number of researchers studying the prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) is limited. This is why one goal of the Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (CRE-MSD)* is to strengthen collaborations in this field. IWH scientists are involved with several projects co-ordinated through the centre.
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Sharing Best Evidence
Summary of a systematic review of factors associated with occupational disease among young people
Young workers are more likely than older workers to sustain work injuries, and as a result, significant resources have been spent on young worker safety programs. This systematic review takes a comprehensive look at the factors that lead young workers to get injured.
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At Work article
Is it worth it? Determining the costs and benefits of workplace interventions
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At Work article
Systematic reviews now under one umbrella
Recently, the Institute consolidated its various review activities into a new Systematic Reviews Program, with special emphasis on preventive interventions in the workplace and with a new emphasis on consulting stakeholders.
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At Work article
Four roundtables, 50 voices: Moving from research evidence to action
The Institute and the Research Secretariat of Ontario’s Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB) organize a series of Roundtables to identify common research needs and to discuss better ways to cultivate the researcher and decision-maker relationship.
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At Work article
Our partners provide important guidance to systematic reviews
Practitioners bring their expertise to the table and provide important feedback at several stages of the systematic review process.
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At Work article
New centre aims to improve return-to-work outcomes
The newly-opened Centre for Research Expertise in Improving Disability Outcomes (CREIDO) will focus on the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of chronic MSK pain and disability.
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At Work article
Young worker injury – it’s the job that matters
In terms of injury risk, the type of job or workplace matters more than the nature of the young workers themselves.
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