National Injury Prevention Day: Protecting People, Preventing Injuries, and Supporting Safe Return to Work

Each year, National Injury Prevention Day raises a vital question for Canadian workplaces: Are we doing enough to keep our teams safe?

Observed on July 7th, this awareness day is led by Parachute Canada, aiming to highlight the importance of preventing serious injuries - at work, at home, and on the road. For businesses and employers, it’s an opportunity to step back and evaluate safety measures, training protocols, and the support systems available when injuries do happen.

At SOMA, we specialize in Independent Medical Examinations and functional assessments that help employers, insurers, and legal professionals understand the nature of injuries and how to support safe, informed recovery. This Injury Prevention Day, we’re sharing important statistics, injury prevention strategies, and how IMEs can be a crucial part of your return-to-work planning.

The Scope of the Problem: Injury in the Workplace

According to the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC), over 277,000 time-loss injuries were reported in 2022 alone. That’s more than 750 injuries every single day.

While some industries like construction, healthcare, and manufacturing face higher risks, no sector is immune. Whether it’s a slip in an office hallway or a repetitive strain injury at a workstation, injuries can lead to absenteeism, lost productivity, long-term disability, and, most importantly, pain and disruption in someone’s life.

Some key stats to consider:

• Falls remain the leading cause of workplace injuries, accounting for approximately 20% of time-loss claims.
• Overexertion (often from lifting or repetitive motion) accounts for about 17%.
• The average time off work due to injury is over 8 weeks, with many cases requiring specialized return-to-work planning.

Injury Prevention: Proactive Measures Employers Can Take

While not all injuries are avoidable, many are preventable with the right strategies in place. Here’s how organizations can take a proactive approach:

1. Invest in Safety Training

• Regular, hands-on safety training can significantly reduce the risk of injury.
• Tailor training to reflect real hazards specific to your job site, office, or industry.

2. Ergonomics Matter

• Musculoskeletal disorders are one of the most common reasons for workplace injury claims.
• Conduct ergonomic assessments and adjust workstations, tools, and job designs to prevent strain.

3. Encourage a Safety Culture

• Make injury prevention part of your workplace culture - not just a checklist.
• Recognize employees who demonstrate safe practices and encourage incident reporting without fear of reprisal.

4. Monitor High-Risk Roles

• Identify roles with higher physical demands and provide additional supports such as lifting equipment, job rotation, or physical conditioning programs.

5. Mental Health & Injury Risk

• Mental and physical health are connected. Fatigue, stress, and burnout increase the risk of injury.
• Promote wellness programs and build psychologically safe workplaces.

When Injuries Happen: IMEs as a Tool for Safe Return to Work

Despite best efforts, injuries do happen. When they do, Independent Medical Examinations (IMEs) play a critical role in understanding the full picture.

Here’s how:

Accurate Assessment of Injury

IMEs offer objective, third-party insight into the nature and extent of an injury. This ensures that decisions - whether for claim management, return-to-work timelines, or treatment recommendations - are based on expert medical evidence.

Clear Return-to-Work Recommendations

A high-quality IME includes detailed guidance on what an individual can and cannot do. This helps employers modify duties, adjust hours, or identify alternate roles to support a safe and productive return.

Preventing Re-Injury

Returning too soon or without accommodations can increase the risk of re-injury or long-term disability. IMEs help define safe boundaries so recovery can continue - on or off the job.

Support for Claims and Disputes

IMEs also help resolve complex or contested claims by offering clarity, especially when recovery is slower than expected or symptoms are not aligning with a clinical diagnosis.

A Partner in Injury Management: SOMA Medical’s Expertise

We understand how disruptive workplace injuries can be - for employees, managers, and business operations. That’s why we offer:

• Comprehensive IMEs conducted by specialists across a wide range of disciplines.
• Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCEs) to assess an individual’s ability to meet job demands.
• Catastrophic Impairment Assessments for more severe or complex cases.
• Customized reports with actionable recommendations, not just medical jargon.
  
  

Whether you're managing a single incident or developing a company-wide injury management protocol, we’re here to provide the clinical insight and confidence you need.

Final Thoughts: Prevention Starts with Awareness

National Injury Prevention Day isn’t just about numbers - it’s about people. It’s about creating environments where injuries are rare and recovery is well-supported.

As we light up landmarks across Canada in green this July to mark the day, let’s also shine a light on the efforts within our own organizations.

Are your teams protected? Is your workplace evolving with best practices? Do you have the right partners in place for when injuries do happen?

Let’s take this opportunity to prevent what we can, and prepare for what we can’t. Get in touch with us to learn more.