Work precarity and vulnerability
“Precarious” is a word often used to describe work that is characterized by low pay, low job security and little protection. “Vulnerable” is a word often used in the health and safety world to describe those who are at an increased risk of work injury or disease. At the Institute for Work & Health (IWH), an evidence-based framework has been developed that defines OHS vulnerability as being exposed to hazards without having adequate protection. This page pulls together research on OHS vulnerability and work precarity.
Featured
Research Highlights
Death rates are higher for workers in precarious and lower quality jobs
Death rates are higher for workers in lower-quality jobs. That’s according to an IWH study that explored whether job quality was linked to rates of death.
Published: November 12, 2025
Journal article
Journal article
The working disadvantaged: the role of age, job tenure and disability in precarious work
Published: BMC Public Health, December 2020
At Work article
Workers exposed to common hazards more likely to report their injuries: IWH study
Building upon research showing high rates of under-reporting, an IWH study explores factors linked to whether workers report their injuries to a workers' compensation board.
Published: August 2020
Research Highlights
Exploring the health and safety risks facing ride-share drivers
Ride-share drivers face physical and mental health risks that are not only similar to, but also distinct from, those of taxi drivers. Beyond the risks experienced by taxi drivers, ride-share drivers face stressors unique to this form of work.
Published: March 2020
Journal article
Journal article
Examining the impact of occupational health and safety vulnerability on injury claim reporting in three Canadian provinces
Published: American Journal of Industrial Medicine, February 2020
At Work article
Supportive supervisors help reduce risks when workers face hazards, lack protection
Workers are vulnerable to injuries or illnesses when they're exposed to hazards and lacking protective factors such as OHS policies, awareness or empowerment. However, supportive supervisors can help lower the likelihood of injuries even when workers are vulnerable, according to a new study.
Published: February 2019
Journal article
Journal article
The interplay between supervisor safety support and occupational health and safety vulnerability on work injury
Published: Safety and Health at Work, January 2019
Project
Research Highlights
OHS vulnerability among new immigrants
Recent immigrant workers are 1.6 times more likely than Canadian-born workers to experience occupational health and safety (OHS) vulnerability, defined as exposure to hazards without adequate protection to mitigate those hazards.
Published: August 2018
Journal article
Journal article
The occupational health and safety vulnerability of recent immigrants accessing settlement services
Published: Canadian Journal of Public Health, April 2018
Journal article
Journal article
Examining occupational health and safety vulnerability among Canadian workers with disabilities
Published: Disability and Rehabilitation, January 2018
