OHS enforcement and regulation

The regulator’s role in setting and enforcing the adoption of basic standards is fundamentally important to ensuring the health, safety and fair treatment of workers and the productivity of workplaces.  The Institute for Work & Health (IWH) conducts a wide range of research to help labour ministries, workers' compensation boards and other regulatory bodies (and those affected by them) understand where their limited time and money will be most effectively allocated to achieve fewer work-related injuries and illnesses.

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Graphic of people in business suits contributing puzzle pieces to a profile of a head.
Issue Briefing

System-level approaches to preventing and managing work-related psychological injuries

This project looked at how different jurisdictions in Canada and Australia prevent workplace psychosocial hazards, define and compensate psychological injuries, and support workers through recovery and return to work.
Published: May 22, 2026
At Work article
At Work article

Ontario’s Patient Lift Initiative: early findings

The Institute for Work & Health was selected to evaluate the impact of the Patient Lift Initiative funded by Ontario's Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
Published: April 2007
At Work article
At Work article

Health, safety partners make MSD prevention a priority

Ontario’s workplace health and safety system is taking a big step forward in how it addresses musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). It has recognized the need to make MSD prevention a priority for all system partners and all workplaces in Ontario.
Published: November 2006