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
Prolonged standing on the job associated with higher risk of heart disease than prolonged sitting
Workers who predominantly stand on the job are at greater risk of heart disease than workers who predominantly sit. Workplace prevention efforts should target excessive standing, as well as excessive sitting, to protect the cardiovascular health of workers.
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At Work article
Proving mental illness diagnosis, duration a challenge for income support programs
Policy design study finds common obstacles for Ontario’s ODSP and Australia’s equivalent
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At Work article
Therapy can help manage depression, but in Manitoba, access to therapists is a concern
Therapy can help manage depression, but in Manitoba, access to therapists is a concern
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At Work article
Permanent work injury lowers women’s chances of marriage
Women experiencing a permanent impairment following a work injury are less likely than uninjured women to marry, says new research from the Institute for Work & Health.
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Research Highlights
Workers with disabilities report greater OHS vulnerability
Workers with disabilities are more likely to be exposed to hazards at work than other workers, and are more likely to experience vulnerability due to inadequate measures to mitigate those hazards.
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At Work article
Effective workplace return-to-work interventions are multi-faceted: IWH review
New systematic review finds evidence for return-to-work programs that incorporate some combination of health services, case coordination and work modification
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At Work article
OHS vulnerability as defined by IWH tool linked to self-reported injury rates
Study lends support to concept of OHS vulnerability as combination of hazards and inadequate protection
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At Work article
Health professionals report uncertainty over roles in RTW of workers with complex injuries
Study in four Canadian provinces finds some confusion and areas for potential improvement
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Research Highlights
Role of chronic conditions and physical job demands on differences in work activity limitations between women and men
The differing levels of work activity limitations among women and men are explained by the different chronic conditions they are likely to have and the different physical demands they are likely to face on the job.
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At Work article
Advocate and pioneer challenges all to erase stigma faced by workers with disabilities
IWH's Nachemson lecture looks back on 20 years of achievements by NIDMAR and Wolfgang Zimmermann
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At Work article
Ontario utility continues to benefit years after joining participatory ergonomics study
Reduced soft-tissue injuries at Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro attributed to work by participatory ergonomics team set up during study by IWH and others more than 10 years ago
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At Work article
Vulnerability survey helps employer assess worker OHS awareness, empowerment
Health and safety leader Carillion Canada uses IWH’s new measure to identify weaknesses in organization
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At Work article
Experience rating design differences lead to different outcomes in Ontario and B.C.
Ontario sees larger reductions in injury claims, but B.C.’s reductions are more enduring
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Issue Briefing
Vulnerable workers and risk of work injury
This Issue Briefing provides highlights of IWH's body of evidence on "vulnerable" workers, tracking how our research has evolved from vulnerability being associated with those who are new to a job to those who are exposed to hazards with inadequate awareness, protective policies and/or empowerment.
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Sharing Best Evidence
What workplace programs help prevent upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders?
Upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) include painful conditions and injuries of the muscles, tendons, joints and nerves that affect the neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists and hands. This update of a previous systematic review sets out to find occupational health and safety (OHS) interventions that effectively prevent and manage upper extremity MSDs.
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At Work article
New cases of mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer in one year cost $1.9B
First-ever estimate of the economic burden of asbestos looks at newly diagnosed cases in Canada in 2011
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At Work article
Eight safety leading indicators for the construction worksite
Dr. Linda M. Goldenhar and her team at CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training worked with stakeholders in the construction sector to identify eight leading health and safety indicators.
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At Work article
Disability leave duration rises with age, chronic conditions
Older workers with arthritis, depression and cancer tend to be off work the longest, STD/LTD data suggest
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At Work article
PREMUS 2016 brings together MSD prevention scientists and practitioners to share evidence
Keynotes discussed latest findings on carpal tunnel syndrome, construction safety culture, sitting and standing, and sex/gender lens in MSD research
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