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.
At Work article
Workplace program speeds return of workers with low-back injuries
According to new IWH research, workplace-based programs in which workers and supervisors jointly identify and solve return-to-work barriers help workers with low-back pain return to their jobs more quickly — especially workers who are often considered the most challenging return-to-work cases.
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At Work article
Ergonomics case study: Car parts manufacturer realizes benefits of PE program
An Ontario manufacturer opened its doors to researchers who helped implement a participatory ergonomics (PE) program to improve the musculoskeletal health of workers. The company has since learned that the PE program saved it almost a quarter-of-a-million dollars — and in the most unexpected place.
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Issue Briefing
“Newness” and the risk of occupational injury
Research is emerging that “newness” is associated with a higher risk of work injury. Whether it’s young workers, workers of all ages new to their jobs, recent immigrants or employees in newly established firms, the evidence indicates that these workers face higher injury rates and/or more hazardous jobs. This Issue Briefing summarizes the key research behind these findings and explores the implications for policy-makers and health and safety service providers.
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At Work article
IWH briefing explores business cycles and workers’ compensation
Through its publication Issue Briefing, the Institute for Work & Health provides research-based insights to policy-makers. A recently released briefing discusses the impact of today’s shrinking economy on workers’ compensation claim rates.
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At Work article
Mental health and injured workers: Depressive symptoms linked to delayed work-returns
New research from the Institute for Work & Health indicates that depressive symptoms are pervasive among workers disabled by musculoskeletal disorders. For those whose symptoms persist, sustainable work-returns are less likely, and treatment by a mental health professional may be needed to improve recovery.
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At Work article
IWH disability benchmarking partnership helps workplaces improve outcomes, reduce costs
The Institute for Work and Health offers Workplace Disability Benchmarking — a research-based partnership that allows large employers and disability benefit trusts to measure, track and compare disability outcomes and identify program improvements that will protect employee health and the bottom line.
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At Work article
OHS management audits differ in what they assess and how
The nature and delivery of occupational health and safety (OHS) audits vary greatly. As a result, employers should determine why they are auditing and what they hope to find out when choosing an audit that best suits their needs.
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At Work article
Evidence elusive on procedures used to help heal fractures
Do electromagnetic stimulation and low-intensity pulsed ultrasound accelerate the healing of broken bones? Despite their frequent use — to the tune of $500 million a year in North America — solid evidence confirming the effectiveness of these procedures remains elusive, according to two new systematic reviews.
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Issue Briefing
Workers' compensation and the business cycle
A worldwide recession has begun in the wake of the Fall 2008 meltdown of financial markets. What is the likely impact of the recession on workers’ compensation costs? Are work-related injuries likely to be more severe? What can we anticipate about claim frequency and severity when recovery occurs and economic growth resumes? This Issue Briefing explores findings from past research on workers’ compensation and the business cycle from IWH and other sources.
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Sharing Best Evidence
Do workplace programs protect upper extremity musculoskeletal health?
Injuries to the upper extremity are common among workers, accounting for about 30 per cent of lost-time claims in Ontario in 2006. The upper extremity includes the neck, shoulder, upper arm, elbow, forearm, wrist and hand. This systematic review looked at the effectiveness of interventions to prevent upper extremity disorders and traumatic injuries.
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At Work article
Preventing upper extremity MSDs: What works and what doesn’t
The strongest evidence to come out of a new systematic review from the Institute for Work & Health is that workstation adjustments alone have no effect in preventing upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders. However, there are indications that adding ergonomics training to the mix may make a difference.
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At Work article
Tools you can use: A practical way to apply best evidence
The Institute for Work & Health is adding to its collection of user-friendly tools to help you make health, safety and return-to-work decisions based on the best scientific evidence.
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At Work article
Pilot program decreases duration and costs of workers’ comp claims
Organizational support to family physicians - including health services case managers to help coordinate care, improve communication with employers and reduce paperwork - can improve the delivery of health care to injured workers and lower costs. Dr. Thomas Wickizer explained how and why.
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At Work article
Small firms need OHS services tailored to their needs
When it comes to occupational health and safety (OHS), small businesses are not large firms on a smaller scale. They have unique features that affect their approach to workplace health and safety, and these features should be taken into account by OHS professionals and policy-makers when designing small-firm programs and services.
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At Work article
New IWH senior scientist reaches out to policy-makers
Getting workplaces, health-care providers and public institutions to understand and adopt evidence-based practices has long been a priority of the Institute for Work & Health (IWH). Now, the IWH is strengthening its ties in particular with the policy-makers within these stakeholder groups
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Research Highlights
Older, previously ill workers benefit most from RTW program
Steenstra I, Knol DL, Bongers PM, van Mechelen W, de Vet H
A workplace-based program that has workers and supervisors jointly identify and solve return-to-work barriers is found to be particularly effective in reducing absences among older workers and workers previously off work due to an illness.
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Research Highlights
Does ultrasound speed the healing of broken bones?
There is a lack of high quality evidence to support the use of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound therapy to speed the healing of broken bones, although overall results appear promising.
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Research Highlights
Unstable work increases risk of unwanted sexual advances
Interventions against sexual harassment at work should prioritize precarious work situations, particularly in the service sector, study suggests.
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Research Highlights
High nerve injury pain predicts upper extremity disability
Patients who seek medical help at least six months after an upper extremity nerve injury also report a considerable level of disability that is associated, in part, with chronic pain.
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Research Highlights
Heavy workloads linked to mental health, MSD treatment in health-care workers
What worker or workplace factors are linked to musculoskeletal or mental health problems among nurses and support staff? This study of 21,000 health-care workers points to heavy workloads among the most important factors.
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