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
Systematic Review
Systematic Review
Effectiveness of participatory ergonomic interventions: a systematic review
The inappropriate design of workplaces and work processes contributes significantly to the development of common work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). By improving ergonomic aspects of work and workplaces, it should be possible to prevent or reduce these disorders and increase productivity. One practice advocated for improving workplace design and processes is participatory ergonomics. This report shares the findings of a systematic review on the effectiveness of workplace-based participatory ergonomic interventions in improving workers' health.
Published: January 2005
Tools and guides
Guide to evaluating the effectiveness of strategies for preventing work injuries
This comprehensive guide lays out the methods behind rigorous effectiveness evaluations of workplace safety interventions—from determining the appropriate design and deciding who should be in your study sample, to measuring outcomes and going beyond quantitative methods.
Published: January 2001
Project
Project
Role of workplace interventions to prevent upper extremity MSDs: a systematic review
Status: Completed 2008
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Project
Factors associated with occupational disease among young people: a systematic review
Status: Completed 2006
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Project
Effective workplace interventions to prevent upper extremity disorders: a systematic review update
Status: Completed 2016
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Project
Effectiveness of participatory ergonomics interventions: a systematic review
Status: Completed 2005
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Project
Occupational health and safety interventions with economic evaluations: a systematic review
Status: Completed 2007
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Project
Effectiveness of training and education for the protection of workers: a systematic review
Status: Completed 2010
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Project
Project
Effectiveness of injury/illness prevention and loss control programs: a systematic review
Status: Completed 2007