OHS enforcement and regulation

As work-related psychological injuries continue to increase, both in number and costs compared to physical injuries, interest has also been growing about different approaches across jurisdictions to prevent and manage these conditions. An Institute for Work & Health team recently conducted a modified environmental scan across 22 jurisdictions in Canada and Australia. In this presentation, lead researcher Dr. Peter Smith shares the results from this project. He also outlines other relevant research from IWH on psychosocial work factors and challenges in return to work for work-related psychological conditions.

Published: May 2026

Published: British Journal of Industrial Relations, February 2026

Findings from the Institute's study on claim suppression were among those cited in this column highlighting the under-reporting or under-recognition of work-related injuries and fatalities. Without a more accurate picture of work-related suffering, much needed workplace and government interventions will be stalled or fail to materialize altogether, the column states.

Published: Workers Health & Safety Centre, April 2025

Fear of a hefty fine may be the jolt employers need to reduce the rising number of workplace injuries and fatalities, reports Lauren Johnson, reporting on an IWH systematic review on the effectiveness of inspections with penalties.

Published: Human Resources Director Canada, December 2024

A new Issue Briefing looks at common challenges in the way labour inspection authorities in developed countries around the world have responded to the pandemic

Published: December 2021

What was the role of workplaces in contributing to COVID-19 case counts in Ontario? And what measures did workplaces across Canada put in place to reduce or prevent COVID spread? A team at IWH and Public Health Ontario draw on population-level data to find out.

Published: November 2021

In early 2021, a group of researchers led by IWH President Dr. Cameron Mustard asked authorities responsible for occupational health and safety (OHS) in developed countries how they had, to date, addressed the COVID-19 challenge. This Issue Briefing shares what the researchers learned.

Published: August 2021

In the second wave of the pandemic so far, outbreaks in essential service workplaces (excluding health-care, congregate living and educational settings) have contributed just over five per cent of all cases among working-age adults in Ontario.

Published: March 2021

In early October, the global community of OHS and social security policy-makers gathered virtually to discuss challenges and lessons learned as countries respond to the COVID-19 pandemic emergency. Despite the diversity of their experiences, many common themes emerged.

Published: November 2020

Workers who felt safe at their physical work sites had better mental health than workers who felt workplace COVID-19 safety practices were inadequate, according to a study conducted by IWH and OHCOW at the start of the COVID-19 emergency.

Published: November 2020