Illness/injury prevention

Findings from the Institute's study on claim suppression were among those cited in this column highlighting the under-reporting or under-recognition of work-related injuries and fatalities. Without a more accurate picture of work-related suffering, much needed workplace and government interventions will be stalled or fail to materialize altogether, the column states.

Published: Workers Health & Safety Centre, April 2025

According to a study by the Institute for Work and Health (IWH), small businesses participating in health and safety incentive programs, such as the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) Health & Safety Excellence Program (HSEp), are better able to make positive health and safety changes in their workplace, despite facing challenges like limited time and resources. Participants in these programs achieve significant benefits, such as increasing health and safety awareness and effective implementation of occupational health and safety (OHS) policies. However, small businesses often require additional support due to resource constraints and limited OHS knowledge.

Published: Workplace Safety & Prevention Services, March 2025

Competent and supportive supervisors can help reduce injuries experienced by workers, especially when supervisors are properly trained, states article that cites research by the Institute for Work & Health (IWH). It found that workers most likely to suffer an injury were those who reported that their supervisors were unaware of hazards and/or didn’t provide reasonable protection.

Published: Workers Health & Safety Centre, March 2025

Since 2021, the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) has been surveying its members twice per year on their organizations’ safety practices and culture using IWH’s Organizational Performance Metric (OPM). A new case study details how SCSA members have been analyzing OPM scores to adjust their safety practices and how SCSA has been using the data to tailor their outreach.

Published: February 2025

On October 17, 2018, the non-medical use of cannabis was legalized in Canada. To examine the implications of this change for workplaces, the Institute for Work & Health (IWH) embarked on two research projects. The studies explored changes in cannabis consumption habits among workers; changes in their perceptions about such consumption; associations between cannabis consumption and occupational injury risks; as well as the use of cannabis to treat symptoms in the aftermath of a work-related injury/illness. This Issue Briefing provides an overview of findings from these two studies and the potential implications of this research for employers and policy-makers.

Published: December 2024

Time and resource constraints may make it hard for small businesses to access health and safety support programs. But, as an IWH study finds, small businesses gain from even limited participation in such programs. The study, based on interviews with small businesses that took part in Ontario's Health and Safety Excellence Program, also highlights factors that contribute to their success in the program.

Published: November 2024

Published: Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, October 2024

Published: Occupational and Environmental Medicine, October 2024

Published: BMC Medicine, October 2024

Filling your spare time with side hustles can put more money in your pocket, but what will it cost you? In an episode of Ontario Today, host Amanda Pfeffer and guest Deena Ladd take calls from listeners. They also mention an IWH study on the link between injury risks and precarious work, conducted by Dr. Faraz Vahid Shahidi (at 24m 24s).

Published: CBC Radio One, September 2024