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

A landscape worker cutting grass.
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
Black and white image of a German public square
Impact case study

German MSD campaign incorporates IWH systematic review findings

Germany's social insurance authority regularly turns to systematic reviews from the Institute for Work & Health because of their quality and reliability.
Published: November 2010
Journal article
A man places a hand on his right shoulder
Impact case study

Ontario prevention system produces MSD toolkit

IWH joins system partners in the creation of the MSD Prevention Guideline, an essential resource for province's enforcement efforts.
Published: September 2010
Journal article
Journal article
Journal article

A systematic review of workplace ergonomic interventions with economic analyses

Published: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, June 2010
Journal article
Journal article
Journal article

Occupational safety and health interventions to reduce musculoskeletal symptoms in the health care sector

Published: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, June 2010
At Work article
At Work article

Picture this: Using visual symbols to identify MSD hazards

Institute for Work & Health (IWH) researchers are playing a role in developing novel pictograms that convey both musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) hazards and controls.
Published: April 2010
View of training room from the back
Sharing Best Evidence

Effectiveness of OHS education and training

Occupational health and safety (OHS) training is an important part of managing workplace hazards and risks, but do they result in fewer work-related injuries and illnesses? This systematic review set out to determine whether OHS training and education programs have a beneficial effect for workers and workplaces.
Published: January 2010