Organizational context

Organizational contexts—for example, workplace size, sector and jurisdiction—can shape employer responses to occupational health and safety (OHS). They can also affect organizations’ ability to support employees living with disabling health conditions to stay at work or return to work after an absence. Our research seeks to better understand how these contexts may influence the effectiveness of programs and policies to prevent work injuries and improve OHS and return-to-work outcomes, with a special emphasis on the needs of small business.

Latest findings

Construction equipment amid dusk and haze

Comparing the costs, benefits of silica dust prevention methods for construction workers

Construction workplaces can use different methods to reduce exposure to silica dust and protect workers from cancer down the road. But which methods should they opt for? A cost-benefit analysis led by IWH offers some guidance.
Blurry image of health-care workers running

Understanding challenges in hospitals’ workplace violence reporting systems

How consistently and reliably are hospital violence incidents reported in Ontario? An IWH research team surveyed workers at six hospitals in the province in 2017. Despite mandatory reporting, the results showed great variation in reporting patterns.
A vista of a small town in British Columbia

Urban-rural differences in work disability duration

We know from past studies that injured workers in rural areas are likely to be off work longer than injured workers in cities. Now, a study on urban-rural differences in work disability across several provinces and industrial sectors finds a more nuanced picture.