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
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
At Work article
At Work article
Study finds supporting learner confidence to apply new skills key to effective training
IWH trial of office ergonomics training also finds little difference between in-person and online training
Published: February 2014
IWH Speaker Series
IWH Speaker Series
How to make occupational health and safety training more effective: Findings from a field trial
In a recent quasi-experimental field trial, an Institute for Work & Health (IWH) research team compared the impact of in-person office ergonomics training with e-learning office ergonomics training. Both training programs took the same amount of time and delivered the same content. In this plenary, the IWH's Dr. Ben Amick, the lead researcher on this project, presents the findings of the 12-month trial, including which form of training had the greatest impact on worker knowledge, attitudes and behaviour with respect to office ergonomics.
Published: January 2014
Impact case study
CAMH improves office ergonomics through IWH online training program
A piloted training program was so successful it's now offered to all staff at this hospital and research centre.
Published: November 2013
Journal article
Journal article
Response to Weinstock and Slatin's (2012) critique of IWH-NIOSH systematic review of the effectiveness of OSH training
Published: New Solutions, January 2013
At Work article
At Work article
Show and tell: Visual symbols inform vulnerable workers about MSDs
Visual symbols or pictograms, along with training, are a promising approach to protect vulnerable workers from musculoskeletal disorders, according to a collaborative evaluation involving the Institute for Work & Health.
Published: July 2012
At Work article
At Work article
Training promotes safer practices
A systematic review led by the Institute for Work & Health shows that training positively influences worker practices, making it an important part of multi-component health and safety programs.
Published: July 2012