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
![A worker bends over, cutting paving stones in a landscaping job](/sites/iwh/files/styles/bootstrap_4_col_widescreen/public/iwh/images/landscape_paving_dust.jpg?h=94559b3b&itok=TUXRG7WU)
Inadequate employment standards, OHS vulnerability add to higher injury risks
IWH researchers found workers whose jobs fail to offer minimum employment standards are at an increased risk of work injury. When these workers also face health and safety vulnerability on the job, their risk of injury is even higher than the combined risk.![Two men lift heavy furniture off a truck](/sites/iwh/files/styles/bootstrap_4_col_widescreen/public/iwh/images/truck_delivery_labour_furniture.jpg?h=a78aceca&itok=ImOPFLlr)
Emerging evidence points to negative health effects of physical work demands
Recent studies are suggesting physically demanding work can have negative effects on workers’ cardiovascular health. At a recent IWH Speaker Series presentation, Associate Scientist Dr. Avi Biswas discussed how workplaces and policy-makers can help.![View from the back of a man in a suit in an urban street](/sites/iwh/files/styles/bootstrap_4_col_widescreen/public/iwh/images/urban_streetscape_faceless_man.jpg?h=a3fe7ade&itok=Iiuvg2tw)
Unemployment benefits linked to lower mortality rates over 10 years: IWH study
We know that being out of work puts people at risk of short- and long-term health consequences—including higher death rates. A new study looks at whether—and how much—having income support during unemployment can lessen the negative impact.Featured impact case study
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