Plain-language summaries

Institute for Work & Health (IWH) plain-language summaries condense research findings in various formats. At Work articles explain study results with comments from the study leads. Research Highlights summarize journal articles in easy-to-read, digest formats. Sharing Best Evidence summaries highlight findings from systematic reviews and other types of reviews conducted or led by IWH researchers. Issue Briefings discuss key research findings from IWH or elsewhere on topics that are of particular interest to policy-makers.

A trainer helps client do core exercises on mat
At Work article

New review finds motor control exercise reduces low-back pain, disability among sufferers

New review by Cochrane Back and Neck Review Group broadens options for people with low-back pain
Published:
Businesswoman shakes hands with other professionals
At Work article

Tapping into personal networks to share research and improve evidence uptake

Stakeholder networks play a key role in the dissemination and uptake of IWH research
Published:
A black and white image of men and women lifting weights
At Work article

Understanding MSDs with sex/gender lens

Published:
Three workers talking in a shipyard
Research Highlights

Workplaces that focus on both operations and safety can succeed at both

Workplaces that jointly manage operations and occupational health and safety (OHS) perform well at both, and no worse than workplaces that focus on only one. There’s no evidence that success in operations requires a trade-off with safety.
Published:
Older worker cuts wood
Research Highlights

Are older workers off work longer after an injury because of the nature of their injuries?

Older men and women with work-related injuries remain off work on benefits longer than other workers, and this longer time off work is not explained by the type or severity of their injuries.
Published:
Two ironworkers walking on steel beams against a blue sky
At Work article

IWH study in construction sector suggests unionized firms are safer

First industry-wide study in Ontario by Institute for Work & Health finds unionized construction workers report more claims overall but fewer claims that result in time off work
Published:
Silhouette of a worker in a darkened hallway
At Work article

Injured shift workers report poorer health outcomes than injured day workers: study

IWH study finds people who work shifts no more likely to leave job, despite poorer health two years after injury
Published:
A young man cuts wood at a saw table
At Work article

Distinct types of OHS vulnerability seen in young, temporary, small business employees

Tool developed by IWH measures three types of vulnerability to workplace health and safety risk
Published:
Health and safety law book
At Work article

Qualitative systematic review highlights new regulatory, implementation issues in OHS

Implementing OHS laws and regulations can be challenging in complex, non-standard world of work
Published:
View of books on shelves in university library
At Work article

Research key to finding way forward during WSIB reform: Nachemson speaker

Former Workplace Safety and Insurance Board executive reflects on value of research in policy-making
Published:
Two workers in a warehouse consult document
At Work article

Users of IWH’s participatory ergonomics guide report better awareness of key steps

Evaluation study finds high interest in participatory ergonomics, but little opportunity for implementation
Published:
A mom at her dining table goes through bills
At Work article

Workers’ comp benefits keep poverty low among permanently impaired workers and their families, study by IWH finds

Ambitious study of earnings of injured and non-injured workers over 10 years finds benefits play important role in reducing poverty among permanently impaired
Published:
Two workers look over document at a large construction site
At Work article

Inspections with penalties linked to lower injuries: IWH review

Institute for Work & Health systematic review on regulatory enforcement finds strong evidence for effectiveness of inspections with fines and citations
Published:
Female colleagues smiling at a meeting
At Work article

Evidence-based questionnaire helps JHSCs pinpoint strengths, weaknesses

Assessment tool by CREOD helps point the way forward for joint health and safety committees
Published:
Restaurant manager looks at survey
At Work article

IWH leading indicator tool wins over advocates across Canada

The eight-item IWH-OPM is adopted in several provinces as a measure of health and safety performance in workplaces
Published:
Close-up of file folders of funding projects
At Work article

Grant round-up: Measuring OHS investment, impact of mandatory training and more

Diversity in research topics and methods seen in upcoming projects at Institute for Work & Health
Published:
A hospital emergency sign
Issue Briefing

Divergent trends in work-related and non-work-related injury in Ontario

An IWH study found strongly diverging trends in the annual incidence of occupational injury and non-occupational injury among working-age adults in Ontario from 2004 to 2011. This Issue Briefing highlights opportunities to improve the monitoring of injury across Canada.
Published:
View of books on shelves in university library
At Work article

Practitioners in workplace health and safety value research in decisions but lack for time

IWH study suggests OHS professionals would welcome a one-stop shop to find lay-friendly research
Published:
A woman at her desk takes notes at computer terminal
At Work article

Online office ergonomics training program now available from IWH

IWH’s eOfficeErgo: Ergonomics e-Learning for Office Workers is an evidence-based training program that leads to healthy computing practices and postures among office workers
Published:
Downtown Toronto street scene
At Work article

Mark your calendars for PREMUS 2016

World scientific conference on MSD prevention takes place June 20-23, 2016
Published: