Determinants of health and safety in unionized and non-unionized firms in Ontario’s construction sector
Reasons for the study
The construction sector in Ontario and beyond experiences high rates of work injury, death and disability, so understanding the factors that improve health and safety outcomes in the sector are important. Earlier research from the Institute for Work & Health found that union-certified firms in Ontario’s industrial, commercial and institutional (ICI) construction sector have 20 per cent fewer lost-time, musculoskeletal and critical injury workers’ compensation claims than non-unionized firms. This project aimed to identify the workplace policies and practices associated with lower rates of work-related injury and disease among Ontario construction workers, and how these potentially differ in unionized and non-unionized workplaces.
Objectives of the study
- To understand what drives differences in safety outcomes between union and non-union firms in the construction sector
Related interviews and articles
- How does unionization make a difference with workplace safety?. Canadian HR Reporter. April 12, 2021. Available from: https://www.hrreporter.com/labour/news/how-does-unionization-make-a-difference-with-workplace-safety/354870
- How does unionization make a difference with workplace safety?. Canadian HR Reporter. April 12, 2021. Available from: https://www.hrreporter.com/labour/news/how-does-unionization-make-a-difference-with-workplace-safety/354870
- Guest column: T.O. council's decision on construction tendering makes sense. Toronto Sun. July 6, 2019. Available from: https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/guest-column-t-o-councils-decision-on-construction-tendering-makes-sense
- Opinion: Avoid shoddy work by using unionized tradespeople for public construction projects. Toronto Sun. March 1, 2019. Available from: https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/opinion-avoid-shoddy-work-by-using-unionized-tradespeople-for-public-construction-projects
- IWH study in construction sector suggests unionized firms are safer. At Work: Institute for Work & Health; No. 82, Fall 2015.
- Hand in hand. OHS Canada: Annex Newcom (Toronto, ON). November 1, 2015. Available from: http://www.ohscanada.com/features/hand-in-hand
Project status
Completed 2017
Research team
Collaborators and partners
Ontario Construction Secretariat
Workplace Safety & Insurance Board
Funded by
Ontario Ministry of Labour's Research Opportunities Program