Health and safety training
IWH research on occupational health and safety (OHS) training focuses on its effectiveness—from the effectiveness of delivery methods and contents to the effectiveness of training programs overall. OHS training, mandated by workplace health and safety laws in jurisdictions across Canada and beyond, is considered an important part of managing workplace hazards and risks. Such training may involve instruction on identifying occupational risks and how to control them, learning about safe workplace practices and how to properly use personal protective equipment.
Featured
Research Highlights
In-person or online: Does it make a difference for OHS training?
Online formats for occupational health and safety (OHS) training have gained popularity in recent years, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. But are they as effective as in-person training?
Published: April 4, 2025
Impact case study
IWH evaluation of the effectiveness of the Ontario working-at-heights training standard
An IWH study on the effectiveness of Ontario's mandatory training was valuable to the labour ministry in several ways—including in reinforcing the value of program evaluations.
Published: November 21, 2023
At Work article
IWH study examines effect of Ontario’s mandatory OHS training on awareness
On July 1, 2014, a new occupational health and safety requirement took effect in Ontario. An IWH research team conducted a study on differences in OHS awareness before and after the requirement took effect. Read about the findings.
Published: November 2017
IWH in the media
Recent immigrants, refugees largely unaware of OHS: Researchers
When immigrants and refugees come to Canada, they are handed a 140-page document that contains only one small paragraph about employee rights. Unfortunately, this might be the only OHS exposure these workers receive, writes Amanda Silliker, reporting on an Institute for Work & Health research project.
Published: Canadian Occupational Safety, November 2017
IWH Speaker Series
IWH Speaker Series
Evaluating the impact of mandatory awareness training in Ontario
In this presentation, Dr. Peter Smith shares the results of a study that examined differences in the level of self-reported occupational health and safety (OHS) awareness and empowerment among employed workers in Ontario before and after the introduction of the mandatory OHS training. He also discusses the implications of the results for future province-wide initiatives focusing on the primary prevention of work-related injuries and illnesses.
Published: April 2017
Project
Project
Addressing literacy and numeracy gaps among workers in an OHS training program: a pilot study
Can we improve occupational health and safety (OHS) outcomes by embedding literacy and numeracy into OHS training? IWH researchers aimed to find out, by assessing a hoisting and rigging program that embeds these essential skills into the training.
Status: Completed 2017
Project
Project
Evaluating the implementation and effectiveness of Ontario’s working-at-heights training standard
IWH researchers are examining the effectiveness of Ontario’s mandatory working-at-heights training standard and what is being learned about its implementation in construction workplaces.
Status: Completed
Project
Project
Information and resource needs of newcomers to help ensure their safe integration into the labour market
This project looked at the needs of recent immigrants and refugees to Ontario to help ensure they can safely integrate into the Canadian labour market.
Status: Completed 2017
At Work article
Peer coaching on patient lifts lowers injury, but at a small cost
An IWH cost-benefit analysis finds a training program on patient lifts is nearly cost-neutral while lowering injury rates by a third.
Published: April 2016
At Work article
Online office ergonomics training program now available from IWH
IWH’s eOfficeErgo: Ergonomics e-Learning for Office Workers is an evidence-based training program that leads to healthy computing practices and postures among office workers.
Published: April 2015
Project
Project
Evaluating the impact of mandatory awareness training on occupational health and safety vulnerability in Ontario
In 2014, Ontario legislated mandatory health and safety awareness training for all workers and supervisors. How effective was this training in its early days in reducing vulnerability to risk of work injury? IWH researchers answered this question.
Status: Completed 2018
Tools and guides
eOfficeErgo: Ergonomics e-learning for office workers
eOfficeErgo is an evidence-based and standard-compliant online training program designed for employees who regularly use computers on the job and would benefit from self-directed online training on the proper way to set up and work at office workstations in order to prevent musculoskeletal disorders and other injuries.
Published: January 2015