Construction sector
IWH research that specifically involves construction workplaces, workers, unions, employers and/or associations, as well as research on programs that specifically target the construction sector, is collected together here. Not included is IWH research that cuts across all or many sectors, even though it may be relevant to the construction sector. For this reason, visitors are encouraged to explore beyond this page to find equally important information on the prevention of work injury and disability in construction.
Featured
Impact case study
IWH evaluation of the effectiveness of the Ontario working-at-heights training standard
An IWH study on the effectiveness of Ontario's mandatory training was valuable to the labour ministry in several ways—including in reinforcing the value of program evaluations.
Published: November 21, 2023

IWH Speaker Series
Preventing falls from heights in construction: a long-term evaluation of Ontario's working-at-heights training standard
Published: December 13, 2022
At Work article
IWH study in construction sector suggests unionized firms are safer
First industry-wide study in Ontario by Institute for Work & Health finds unionized construction workers report more claims overall but fewer claims that result in time off work.
Published: November 2015
Project report
Project report
Economic burden of lung cancer and mesothelioma in Canada due to occupational asbestos exposure (2015)
This November 2015 presentation provides an early look at the results of an economic burden study on the costs to Canadian society of new cases of lung cancers and mesothelioma attributable to occupational asbestos exposures in a particular year.
Published: November 2015
IWH in the media
Hand in hand
The debate on the role of unions in influencing workplace safety is as old as unions are. Organized labour, by serving as employee advocates, may have a positive influence on job safety after all, according to a recent Institute for Work & Health (IWH) study.
Published: OHS Canada, November 2015
IWH in the media
Unionized firms are safer, concludes OCS-funded study
A new study analyzing injury claims data for 5,800 unionized firms and 39,000 non-unionized firms suggests unionized construction firms in Ontario are safer than non-union firms.
Published: Daily Commmercial News, September 2015
IWH in the media
Unions keep construction workers safer, study shows
A new landmark study of Ontario construction firms shows unionized shops report far fewer serious injuries than non-unionized companies.
Published: The Toronto Star, September 2015