A systematic review of the effectiveness of training and education for the protection of workers

Institute for Work & Health
481 University Avenue, Suite 800
Toronto, Ontario

Lynda Robson
Institute for Work & Health

Occupational health and safety (OHS) training is widely acknowledged as an important means of addressing the risks associated with occupational hazards, but we are often not sure how effective training is. This presentation will report on a systematic literature review of recent, high quality research studies about the effectiveness of training. The review concluded that there was strong evidence that training improves worker OHS practices, but insufficient evidence that it protects health (i.e. prevents injuries, illnesses, symptoms). We will look closely at how this disturbing conclusion was drawn and compare it with results from other recent systematic literature reviews about OHS training.

About presenter

Photo of Lynda Robson

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.

About IWH Speaker Series

The IWH Speaker Series brings you the latest findings from work and health researchers from the Institute for Work & Health (IWH) and beyond. For those unable to attend, the recorded webinar of most presentations in the IWH Speaker Series are made available on its web page within a week of the event.