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
At Work article
Rates of work injuries have declined in Ontario, except the most severe
From 2004 to 2017, rates of work-related injuries requiring an emergency department visit declined in Ontario. But that overall downward trend was driven by injuries that were mild or moderate in severity. Rates of very severe injuries did not fall among men and even increased among women.
Published: July 12, 2024
Impact case study
Construction safety org adapts IWH research messages for tradesworker audience
A key program from Construction Health and Safety New Zealand—developed using IWH research—takes a participatory ergonomics approach to better prevent and manage musculoskeletal injuries among construction workers.
Published: February 28, 2024
At Work article
At Work article
Health, safety partners make MSD prevention a priority
Ontario’s workplace health and safety system is taking a big step forward in how it addresses musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). It has recognized the need to make MSD prevention a priority for all system partners and all workplaces in Ontario.
Published: November 2006
At Work article
At Work article
Centre links MSD researchers from many disciplines
The number of researchers studying the prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) is limited. This is why one goal of the Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (CRE-MSD) is to strengthen collaborations in this field.
Published: November 2006
At Work article
At Work article
Doctors’ network promotes back pain evidence among peers
A network of 200 Ontario physicians has been learning the most recent evidence on back pain treatment. The question now is whether they effectively influence peers to change their practice – and whether the network can be maintained over time.
Published: November 2006
At Work article
At Work article
What works to reduce the burden of workplace MSDs?
The burden of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) is significant for workers, employees and society at large. What do we know about what works in reducing this burden? Dr. Barbara Silverstein tackled this question during the Institute for Work & Health’s (IWH’s) 2006 Alf Nachemson Lecture.
Published: November 2006
Sharing Best Evidence
Summary of a systematic review of factors associated with occupational disease among young people
Young workers are more likely than older workers to sustain work injuries, and as a result, significant resources have been spent on young worker safety programs. This systematic review takes a comprehensive look at the factors that lead young workers to get injured.
Published: October 2006
Systematic Review
Systematic Review
Systematic review of factors associated with occupational disease among young people
What individual, job and workplace factors are associated with occupational disease among young people 12 to 24 years of age? This systematic review report summarizes the factors associated with occupational disease among young workers.
Published: September 2006
Journal article
Journal article
Workplace interventions to prevent musculoskeletal and visual symptoms and disorders among computer users: a systematic review
Published: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, September 2006
Journal article
Journal article
Practice and potential of economic evaluation of workplace-based interventions for occupational health and safety
Published: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, September 2006
At Work article
At Work article
Systematic review finds little evidence in support of back belts
Is wearing a back belt really effective in preventing and/or reducing occupational low-back pain? According to a new systematic review by researchers at the Institute for Work & Health, there is limited evidence to support their use.
Published: February 2006
Sharing Best Evidence
Preventing MSDs among computer users: summary of a systematic review
This systematic review examines studies on the effects of workplace interventions on two of the most common health complaints among computer users: visual symptoms and upper-body musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).
Published: February 2006