Longstanding work and health issues
Many longstanding issues related to work injuries and their consequences continue to negatively affect the lives and health of workers. For example, musculoskeletal injuries remain the leading cause of disability and discomfort among Canadian workers. Rates of workers’ compensation claims for traumatic fatalities have remained constant for the past decade. Persons with disabilities continue to be employed at lower rates, or in poorer work conditions, than those who do not live with a disability. Our research aims to provide new knowledge to help regulators and workplaces address persistent occupational health and safety (OHS) risks, workers’ compensation challenges and barriers to labour market inclusion.
Latest findings
![Close-up of two pairs of hands, belong to a counsellor and a patient sitting on a couch](/sites/iwh/files/styles/bootstrap_4_col_widescreen/public/iwh/images/counselling_hands_therapy.jpg?h=62bc044e&itok=vmw47kxA)
Access to mental health treatment among workers with physical injuries
A substantial proportion of workers with compensation claims for a work-related musculoskeletal injury also experience a serious mental condition. However, a minority of these workers receive treatment for their mental health conditions.![A tangled telephone cord](/sites/iwh/files/styles/bootstrap_4_col_widescreen/public/iwh/images/communication_breakdown_telephone.jpg?h=2c63913b&itok=Un58_n8x)
Examining communication and collaboration barriers among health and case management professionals
Different communication styles, professional priorities and philosophical perspectives on return to work can hamper collaboration and communication between health-care providers and case managers—and among health practitioners of different disciplines.![blurry silhouettes of two colleagues talking](/sites/iwh/files/styles/bootstrap_4_col_widescreen/public/iwh/images/window_silhouettes_talking.jpg?h=a858b86c&itok=SJNZ5SqU)
Poorer post-injury experiences lead to worse RTW outcomes for psychological claimants
Injured workers on leave due to psychological injuries report poorer experiences and interactions throughout the return-to-work process. According to an IWH study, these experiences are interconnected, leading to longer time off from work.Featured impact case study
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