Canada’s Institute for Work & Health recently published a report on their study of the effect of unionization on the incidence of workers’ compensation claims in companies from the Institutional, Commercial and Industrial (ICI) construction trade sector in Ontario. Using data from 2012-2018, this research updated an earlier IWH study (Amick et al., 2015), which used data from 2006-2012. The earlier study concluded that unionization lowered the likelihood of organizations reporting lost-time injury claims and increased the likelihood of them reporting no-lost-time injury claims. Both the present study and the Amick et al. (2015) study were consistent in finding a favorable union safety effect on injuries requiring time away from work, including both musculoskeletal and critical (more severe) injuries, among companies in Ontario’s ICI sector.

Read more at https://iciconstruction.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/IWH-OCS-Safety-Study-Report.pdf.

CPWR provides funding up to $30,000 to investigate promising new research initiatives. The Small Study Program provides flexibility for initiating studies that are generally for preliminary, short-term projects and are non-renewable. The research plan proposed by the applicant must be related to the mission and priority research interests of CPWR.

Special Emphasis Areas:

• CPWR has an interest in studies addressing innovative approaches to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the construction industry through ventilation, distancing, and respirators.
• CPWR also has an interest in studies addressing the high fatality burden among small employers in the U.S. construction industry, defined by CPWR as employers with 1-19 employees. Proposed research projects aimed at innovative ways in which to research small employers are considered a high priority, especially with an emphasis on:
  • Engagement of stakeholders through partnerships and other means to understand the barriers and motivators for intervention adoption by small employers
  • Assessing communications channels in reaching small employers
  • Evaluation of promising translation products and dissemination strategies targeting small employers

View full announcement here.

How do you keep construction job sites and workers safe?

Stay informed. Tune into CPWR’s Construction Safety & Health podcast to get up-to-the-minute information. From the latest research on safer tools, equipment, and work practices, to emerging hazards and solutions, to new training programs…and everything in between. If you work, manage, own, or operate within the construction industry, this is your podcast. Research-backed and information-packed knowledge to change your workplace and save lives.

Learn more at https://www.cpwr.com/research/research-to-practice-r2p/r2p-library/resources-for-stakeholders-and-researchers/podcast/