Dr. Lynda Robson
Scientist
PhD, Biochemistry, University of Toronto
Staff email
Staff extension
416-927-2027 ext. 2164
Dr. Lynda Robson is a scientist at the Institute for Work & Health, where she has worked since 1997. She is an adjunct professor in the School of Occupational and Public Health at Toronto Metropolitan University. She is also a member of the Canadian Standards Association Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (Z45001) Technical Committee.
Robson obtained her PhD in biochemistry from the University of Toronto, but later changed fields through additional education at the university's former Graduate Department of Community Health.
Robson's research uses both quantitative and qualitative methods to study occupational health and safety (OHS) management, organizational change in OHS and the evaluation of prevention programs, especially OHS training programs.
“The lab research in which I was involved, though ultimately intended to benefit people, was in itself lacking in the social/human dimension. Now, I often study people and their organizations, and more often interact with users of the research, and I find that personally rewarding." – Dr. Lynda Robson
Projects
- Champions as social agents of change: what can we learn from worker well-being initiatives?. Funded by Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). Ongoing.
- Construction union effect. Funded by Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD), Ontario Construction Secretariat. Ongoing. (PI on the project)
- Evaluating the effectiveness of distance learning in delivering Ontario's JHSC certification training. Funded by Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development. Ongoing. (PI on the project)
- Moving the needle on preventing workplace fatalities and critical incidents in Ontario through data linkage. Funded by Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). Ongoing.
- Occupational injury risks in Ontario. Funded by Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD). Ongoing.
Publications
- Van Eerd D, Robson LS, Yanar B, Irvin E, Le Pouésard M, Rafiqzad H. Early occupational health and safety interventions for small businesses: an environmental scan. American Journal of Industrial Medicine. 2025 epub ahead of print. doi:10.1002/ajim.70046.
- Robson LS, Chen C, Mustard C, Shahidi FV, Landsman V, Smith PM, Biswas A. Differences in the effectiveness of three OHS training delivery methods. American Journal of Industrial Medicine. 2025;68(5):450-463. doi:10.1002/ajim.23719.
- Yanar B, Mustard C, Hossain S, Robson LS, Begum M. Participation in the Health and Safety Excellence Small Business Program: Understanding small business motivations and needs. Institute for Work & Health; 2024.
- Shahidi FV, Liao Q, Landsman V, Mustard C, Robson LS, Biswas A, Smith PM. Is precarious employment an occupational hazard? Evidence from Ontario, Canada. Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 2024;81(8):381-387. doi:10.1136/oemed-2024-109535.
- Shahidi FV, Liao Q, Landsman V, Mustard C, Robson LS, Biswas A, Smith PM. Precarious employment and the workplace transmission of COVID-19: evidence from workers' compensation claims in Ontario, Canada. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health. 2024;78(11):675-681. doi:10.1136/jech-2024-222373.
Speaker Series presentations
- A model of "breakthrough change" in workplace health and safety performance. IWH Speaker Series. May 13, 2014.
- A systematic review of the effectiveness of training and education for the protection of workers. IWH Speaker Series. March 9, 2010.
Research summaries
- Can an eight-item questionnaire pick up on real-world differences in OHS practice?. At Work article: Institute for Work & Health, February 2020.
- Ontario’s working-at-heights training led to safer practices, reduced injury claims rates. At Work article: Institute for Work & Health, April 2019.
- Employers that focus on both operations and safety don’t have to sacrifice either. At Work article: Institute for Work & Health, August 2016.
- OPM follow-up questions now available to help firms act on leading indicator scores. At Work article: Institute for Work & Health, April 2016.
- Workplaces that focus on both operations and safety can succeed at both. Research Highlights: Institute for Work & Health, January 2016.
Media coverage
- Inquest witness pressed on Working at Heights training outcomes. Daily Commercial News. February 3, 2022. Available from: https://canada.constructconnect.com/dcn/news/ohs/2022/02/inquest-witness-pressed-on-working-at-heights-training-outcomes
- How does unionization make a difference with workplace safety?. Canadian HR Reporter. April 12, 2021. Available from: https://www.hrreporter.com/labour/news/how-does-unionization-make-a-difference-with-workplace-safety/354870
- How does unionization make a difference with workplace safety?. Canadian HR Reporter. April 12, 2021. Available from: https://www.hrreporter.com/labour/news/how-does-unionization-make-a-difference-with-workplace-safety/354870
- Regulated working at heights training works and needed: studies. Workers Health & Safety Centre. April 9, 2019. Available from: https://www.whsc.on.ca/What-s-new/News-Archive/Regulated-working-at-heights-training-works-i-and-i-needed-studies
- WAH training standards show 'significant' results: IWH. Daily Commercial News: ConstructConnect (Markham, ON). March 12, 2019. Available from: https://canada.constructconnect.com/dcn/news/labour/2019/03/wah-training-standards-show-significant-results-iwh