Understanding Vulnerability To Reduce Injuries

In March of 2016, we published a blog post that introduced our readers to an OHS Vulnerability Measure tool that was developed by researchers at the Institute for Work & Health in Ontario, lead by Dr. Peter Smith. The tool uses a questionnaire to determine worker vulnerability along four dimensions:

  • level of hazards faced by the worker;
  • workplace- or organization-level protection and policies;
  • worker awareness of occupational hazards and rights and responsibilities; and
  • worker empowerment to participate in injury prevention.

This week, the IWH published a follow-up study that they conducted which confirmed the ability for this tool to adequately measure vulnerability. Based on a survey of over 1,500 working adults in Ontario and BC, the researchers found that the most vulnerable workers (according to the tool) were up to twice as likely to report being injured at work than less vulnerable workers who were exposed to hazards and protected by adequate policies and procedures, awareness and empowerment. The most vulnerable workers were up to 4.5 times more likely to report being injured than the least vulnerable workers, who were not exposed to hazards and were protected by adequate policies and procedures, awareness and empowerment.

This study points to an opportunity to reduce work injuries through the use of adequate policies and procedures, awareness and empowerment, even where hazards cannot be eliminated or fully controlled.

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