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Vulnerability at work
“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. But who is vulnerable, and why. Understanding “vulnerability” due to personal, workplace and labour market factors remains a key research theme of the Institute for Work & Health (IWH). This research looks at rates of vulnerability and measures to identify, assess and prevent it. It also looks at workplace, system and government programs and policies to address vulnerability.
Latest news and findings
What might the future working world look like for young adults with disabilities?
An IWH research team has examined how working life could change in Canada over the next seven years and what the implications might be for young adults with a disability. Using strategic foresight methods, the team created three future scenarios that are designed to provoke discussion about the policies needed now to ensure an inclusive future for people with disabilities.
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IWH’s OHS Vulnerability Measure leads pack in study of leading indicator tools
In an Australian study of five occupational health and safety (OHS) leading indicator tools around the world, a measure developed by the Institute has come out ahead for its ability to pick up workers’ risk of reporting a physical injury or a near-miss at work. The OHS Vulnerability Measure is now one of two tools recommended by the study team for use by the local workers’ compensation authority.
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Employers struggle to provide newcomers with OHS training and support, IWH study finds
Employers are responsible for providing occupational health and safety (OHS) training and support to keep workers safe. When it comes to workers who are new to Canada, however, workplaces face particular challenges following through on this responsibility.
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New initiative aims to ‘skill up’ employers on inclusion of persons with disabilities
Efforts to date to improve the employment of persons with disabilities have focused on making them job-ready. A new initiative, a joint project at the Institute for Work & Health (IWH) and McMaster University, now sets out to flip that approach on its head. It aims to “skill up” workplaces instead.
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Join study on future challenges for young workers with disabilities
An ongoing study at the Institute for Work & Health identified six key challenges that young people with disabilities are expected to face in the future of work. In a series of short videos, we describe six major trends that are expected to shape employment for vulnerable workers over the next 10 years—and the program or policies that have the potential to protect these workers. Watch the first video and take part in the study.
Watch the first of the six videos