A recent study by the Institute for Work and Health, published in the American Journal of Public Health, reports that work-related injuries fell by 30% between 2004-2011. The researchers estimated the incidence of occupational and nonoccupational injury from emergency department records and, separately, from responses to national health interview surveys. The study showed that over the same period non-occupational injuries barely changed. The authors suggest one possible reason between the different trends may be the higher level of employer investment in workplace injury prevention.
Yet the study comes shortly after the WSIB 2013 Statistical Report showed a dramatic 36% increase over the past five years in work-related fatal injuries. The 87 deaths in 2013 suggests improved occupational safety and health should still be a top priority for Ontario companies. In a January 14, 2015 press release, the OFL notes the recent Ontario Court decision, jailing two directors of New Mex Canada Inc under the Occupational Health and Safety Act for the death of a forklift operator, sends a message – but calls for charges of criminal responsibility also to be laid.