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
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
Sharing Best Evidence
Effectiveness of OHS management systems: summary of a systematic review
Occupational health and safety management systems (OHSMSs) have developed considerably over the last 20 years, yet little is known about their effectiveness. The systematic review aimed to provide the evidence on the the effectiveness of mandatory and voluntary OHSMSs and identify facilitators and barriers to their adoption and implementation.
Published: February 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
Systematic Review
Systematic Review
Effectiveness of occupational health and safety management systems: a systematic review
Occupational health and safety management systems (OHSMSs) have developed considerably over the last 20 years, yet little is known about their effectiveness. This report summarizes the findings of a systematic review on the facilitators and barriers to the adoption and effectiveness of OHSMSs.
Published: January 2005
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
Effectiveness of injury/illness prevention and loss control programs: a systematic review
Status: Completed 2007
Project
Project
Effectiveness of occupational health and safety management systems: a systematic review
Status: Completed 2005
Project
Project
Interventions in health-care settings to protect musculoskeletal health: a systematic review
Status: Completed 2006
Project