Illness/injury prevention
IWH has a long history of conducting research to provide practical guidance to employers, workers, OHS professionals and regulators about what works and what doesn’t in injury or illness prevention. This research targets the injury and illness prevention practices of workplaces, as well as the programs developed by governments, health and safety associations and others to support and motivate workplaces to adopt effective practices.
Featured
IWH Speaker Series
How new businesses get their start in workplace health and safety: implications for research and policy
Published: April 21, 2026
At Work article
IWH study reveals gaps in health and safety knowledge about new businesses
To best prevent injuries, OHS management in small businesses should start early in their lifecycle. But according to a new IWH study, few programs or policies are specifically aimed at helping new businesses start managing OHS.
Published: April 10, 2026
IWH in the media
Hidden costs of skin cancer caused by workplace sun exposure revealed
Skin cancer cases attributable to work-related sun exposure could be costing millions of dollars, and must be better addressed by policymakers, according to a study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene.
Published: Science Daily, April 2018
At Work article
IWH study estimates costs of non-melanoma skin cancers due to sun exposure at work
IWH economist and senior scientist conducted the first estimate of the economic burden of non-melanoma skin cancers from work-related sun exposure in Canada.
Published: April 2018
At Work article
Embedding essential skills training in OHS lessons can boost learning: study
The work of rigging and hoisting loads comes with significant hazard. Adding to the injury prevention challenge is the fact that many people doing this work have literacy and numeracy skills gaps. A recent IWH study tried out a novel approach to address these learning needs.
Published: April 2018
Tools and guides
Essential Skills and OHS Training
This guide, based on a research collaboration led by the Institute for Work & Health, provides an overview of the process involved in modifying the curriculum of an existing occupational health and safety (OHS) training program in order to address gaps in essential skills among worker trainees.
Published: April 2018
Project
Project
Role of employers and settlement agencies in safe employment integration
Status: Completed 2020
Journal article
Journal article
Process evaluation of a participatory organizational change program to reduce musculoskeletal and slip, trip and fall injuries
Published: Applied Ergonomics, April 2018
Journal article
Journal article
The occupational health and safety vulnerability of recent immigrants accessing settlement services
Published: Canadian Journal of Public Health, April 2018
IWH Speaker Series
IWH Speaker Series
Towards a better understanding of differences in the risk of workplace violence for men and women in Canada
Workplace violence is getting increasing attention, especially within certain industries such as health care and education. This presentation will discuss results from two recently completed studies examining differences in the risk of workplace violence for men and women.
Published: March 2018
Project report
Project report
Safe employment integration of recent immigrants and refugees
This report details the findings of an Institute for Work & Health study on employment preparation process of newcomers in Ontario, with the aim of determining key training and resource needs and opportunities related to safely integrating recent immigrants and refugees into the labour market.
Published: March 2018
Journal article
Journal article
The economic burden of bladder cancer due to occupational exposure
Published: Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, March 2018