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

A residential home in mid-build is surrounded by scaffolding
At Work article

Safer work practices, lower injury rates maintained two years after Ontario’s working-at-heights training came into effect: study

In 2015, the Ontario government implemented a working-at-heights (WAH) training standard to ramp up fall prevention efforts. An IWH study team has now gathered two additional years of data on the effectiveness of this training requirement—both on work practices and injury rates.
Published: November 3, 2023
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
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
Journal article
Journal article

A systematic review of the effectiveness of occupational health and safety training

Published: Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health, January 2012
Young worker serves ice cream
Impact case study

USW in Canada broadens young worker training

Union awareness program draws on IWH research findings to target all new workers–not just workers who are young.
Published: October 2010
IWH Speaker Series
IWH Speaker Series

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

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.
Published: March 2010
At Work article
At Work article

OHS education and training promotes positive worker practices

A systematic review from the Institute for Work & Health confirms that education and training lead to safer practices among workers. However, on their own, they might not reduce work-related injuries and illnesses. That makes education and training only one part, albeit an important part, of an effe
Published: February 2010
View of training room from the back
Sharing Best Evidence

Effectiveness of OHS education and training

Occupational health and safety (OHS) training is an important part of managing workplace hazards and risks, but do they result in fewer work-related injuries and illnesses? This systematic review set out to determine whether OHS training and education programs have a beneficial effect for workers and workplaces.
Published: January 2010
Systematic Review
Systematic Review

Systematic review of the effectiveness of training and education for the protection of workers

Occupational health and safety (OHS) training is an important part of managing workplace hazards and risks. However, many OHS stakeholders want to know whether training can meet the goals of decreasing workplace injuries and illness, and whether the cost of training programs can be justified. This report shares the findings of systematic review to determine whether OHS training and education programs have a beneficial effect on workers and firms.
Published: January 2010