Research Category Descriptions

Category 1: Occupational Disease, Injury and Health Services

Research focusing on the biological, medical, and health care factors in the causation of work-related injury and disease, and their prevention, diagnosis and treatment. This category is designed to address such issues as: Improved understanding of the relationship between occupational risk factors (biological, chemical, physical, environmental, organizational) and the incidence and mechanism of occupational injury and disease Improved understanding of how to prevent exposure to occupational risk factors and the incidence of occupational injury and disease Development and evaluation of medical programs and treatment options for occupational injury and disease, with a specific focus on musculoskeletal disorders, low back disorders, occupational allergies, occupational cancers, lung disease, psychological impairment, and chronic pain

Category 2: Intervention Research

Research focusing on the most effective way of using knowledge about occupational injury and disease to intervene with prevention programs. This category is designed to address such issues as: Best practices in design, implementation and evaluation of injury/disease prevention programs Evaluation of sector-based occupational health and safety programs The effect of policy, regulatory or legislative changes on injury and disease rates and workplace behaviour

Category 3: Compensation, Disability Management and Return to Work

Research focusing on compensation levels, disability management, and return to work. This category is designed to address such issues as: Identification of the factors that hinder durable return to work development and evaluation of programs to overcome barriers to re-employment, with a particular focus on programs for small businesses Identification of "best practices" and development of new impairment evaluation and measurement tools

Category 4: Changing Nature of Work and Work Environment

Research focusing on the changing nature of work and the work environment and its impact on occupational health and safety. This category is designed to address such issues as: Technological changes in processes, products and services Work intensification (pace, duration, complexity) Shifting demographics (age, gender distribution) Organizational change (downsizing, restructuring, privatization, self-employment, multiple and part time jobs)

Category 5: Transferring Research Knowledge to the Workplace

Research focusing on transforming knowledge into practical, accessible workplace solutions. This category is designed to address such issues as: Identification of how research can be transformed into a practical workplace solution; Development of communication networks and collaborative opportunities to transfer knowledge from researchers into the hands of employers and workers, treatment providers, and policy makers.