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 Euro bill and map of Europe](/sites/iwh/files/styles/bootstrap_4_col_widescreen/public/iwh/images/european_costs_euro.jpg?h=b1a91ebe&itok=9FE6uiDH)
Estimating the societal costs of work injuries and illnesses in five EU countries
To help European Union countries set priorities and analyze potential benefits of tackling work-related hazards, an IWH team developed and implemented a new method for estimating the societal costs of work injuries and illnesses.![Japanese craftsperson stands in front of his workstation, smiling](/sites/iwh/files/styles/bootstrap_4_col_widescreen/public/iwh/images/worker_artist_smiling.jpg?h=f6174459&itok=nzVwaSJN)
What workplace interventions help workers with MSDs, pain and mental health conditions return to work?
This update of a previous systematic review sets out to find workplace-based interventions that are effective in helping workers with musculoskeletal, pain-related and/or mental health conditions return to work.![Wooden blocks spell out the words 'fair,' and 'yes or no?'](/sites/iwh/files/styles/bootstrap_4_col_widescreen/public/iwh/images/fair_unfair_justice.jpg?h=f5f4335b&itok=L7RDq7CU)
Claimants’ perceptions of fair treatment linked to lower odds of poor mental health
Previous studies have suggested that the process of making a workers’ compensation claim may be linked to poorer mental health. Now, an IWH study suggests that claimant's perception of fair treatment by case managers may be key.Featured impact case study
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