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
Impact case study
Saskatchewan’s construction safety group uses IWH tool to improve safety culture
This case study details how the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) members have been analyzing IWH-OPM scores to adjust their safety practices and how SCSA has been using the data to tailor their outreach.
Published: February 10, 2025
Issue Briefing
Cannabis use by workers before and after legalization in Canada
Since 2018, when non-medical use of cannabis was legalized in Canada, a pair of Institute for Work & Health (IWH) studies was conducted to explore the implications of this change for workplaces. This briefing sums up their findings.
Published: December 5, 2024
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
Systematic review of risk factors for injury among youth: summary
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: February 2006
Sharing Best Evidence
OHS management audit instruments: summary of a literature review
What is known about the reliability and validity of occupational health and safety (OHS) audit instruments? This narrative literature review looks at OHS audit tools for OHS management systems, including those designed for high-hazard and high-reliability operations.
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
Research Highlights
Research Highlights
Ergonomics eases pain of repetitive strain injury
A worksite ergonomics program was linked to a drop in frequent and severe pain among those with repetitive strain injuries. Supervisor support and workers' ability to make decisions are also significant factors.
Published: January 2006
Systematic Review
Systematic Review
Workplace interventions to prevent musculoskeletal and visual symptoms and disorders among computer users: a systematic review
The most common occupational health complaints among computer users are visual problems such as eye discomfort and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) such as pain in the neck and upper extremities. This report shares the findings of a systematic review to identify studies that evaluated the effects of workplace interventions on visual or upper extremity MSDs among computer users.
Published: January 2006
Research Highlights
Research Highlights
Worker participation in ergonomic programs has benefits
A participatory ergonomic approach can improve risk factors related to musculoskeletal disorders, and meaningful worker participation in the process is an important aspect for the success of this approach.
Published: January 2006
Systematic Review
Systematic Review
Occupational health and safety management audit instruments: a literature review
The use of occupational health and safety (OHS) audits has grown in recent years, and is now seen as an effective method for ensuring compliance and improving the performance of prevention systems. IWH carried out a narrative literature review in order to determine what is known about the reliability and validity of these audit instruments, as outlined in this report.
Published: December 2005
Systematic Review
Systematic Review
Systematic review of risk factors for injury among youth
Studies have found that 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. However, these programs were developed without a comprehensive look at the factors that lead young workers to get injured. IWH undertook a systematic review, detailed in this report, to determine what factors are associated with work injury and illness among young workers.
Published: December 2005
Sharing Best Evidence
Effectiveness of participatory ergonomics: summary of a systematic review
By improving the ergonomics of work and workplaces, it should be possible to prevent or reduce musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and increase productivity. This systematic review summarizes the evidence on the effectiveness of workplace-based participatory ergonomics interventions in improving workers' health.
Published: February 2005