Precarious employment is linked to workplace injuries in Ontario, Canada

Abstract

Precarious employment, referring to work that is unstable and insecure, has important implications for workplace health and safety. Workers in precarious employment often face overlapping risks, including inadequate training, high job turnover, fear of reprisal for reporting unsafe conditions, and gaps in regulatory protections. Economic insecurity may also require them to work longer hours, take on multiple jobs, or accept dangerous work. For all these reasons, precarious employment is hypothesized to increase the likelihood of experiencing an injury on the job. This study tested that hypothesis by examining the association between precarious employment and workplace injuries in Ontario, Canada.