Vision & Intent
Advancing Safe, Healthy, and Dignified Workplaces Worldwide
Vision Statement: The International Research Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IRIOSH) is an independent Canadian not-for-profit research institute advancing occupational safety, health, and worker well-being through research, prevention, global collaboration, and knowledge exchange.
Our vision is grounded in a simple principle: occupational injuries, illnesses, and work-related harm should be prevented through evidence, leadership, worker participation, knowledge, and continuous improvement.
Mission Statement: To advance independent, evidence-informed occupational safety and health research and translate knowledge into prevention, policy, and practice for safer, healthier, and more dignified workplaces worldwide.
Why IRIOSH Exists
Across the world, workers continue to face preventable occupational injuries, illnesses, hazardous conditions, psychosocial risks, and emerging workplace challenges. IRIOSH was established to help address these challenges through:
- Independent and collaborative occupational safety and health research
- Cross-regional policy and systems research
- Research on emerging and evolving workplace risks
- Translation of research into prevention, policy, and practice
Thus, IRIOSH seeks to contribute to safer, healthier, and more dignified workplaces worldwide.
Our Approach: From Research to Prevention and Practice
IRIOSH operates as a collaborative research platform connecting researchers, academic institutions, policymakers, regulators, OSH professionals, industry stakeholders, and communities across regions.
Our approach is built on four interconnected principles:
Independent & Evidence-Informed Research
Advance rigorous and relevant occupational safety and health research that strengthens the evidence base for prevention.
Global Research Collaboration
Connect researchers, institutions, and professionals across regions to exchange knowledge, identify emerging challenges, and develop collaborative research.
Knowledge Translation
Transform research findings and scientific knowledge into accessible information that can inform occupational safety and health policy, prevention strategies, and professional practice.
Research-to-Practice
Strengthen the connection between research and real-world occupational safety and health by encouraging evidence-informed prevention, continuous improvement, and practical application.
Our goal is not only to generate knowledge, but to help translate knowledge into prevention and healthier workplaces.
Global Research Collaboration & Knowledge Exchange
IRIOSH promotes cross-border research collaboration and knowledge exchange by connecting researchers, academic institutions, OSH professionals, regulators, industry stakeholders, and other organizations around shared occupational safety and health challenges.
Through collaborative research, scientific dialogue, conferences, knowledge exchange, and professional engagement, IRIOSH seeks to:
• Strengthen international cooperation in occupational safety and health research
• Encourage comparative and cross-regional research
• Identify emerging occupational risks and research needs
• Facilitate exchange between researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers
• Support the translation of research findings into prevention, policy, and practice
• Build research capacity and professional knowledge across regions
These activities reflect IRIOSH’s commitment to collaborative, evidence-informed approaches to occupational risk prevention and healthier workplaces worldwide.
Global Alignment & Prevention
IRIOSH advances research and knowledge that support internationally recognized priorities for occupational safety, health, worker well-being, prevention, and decent work.
Our work is particularly aligned with:
• Research on Prevention — strengthening the evidence base for preventing occupational injuries, illnesses, and work-related harm.
• Vision Zero principles — promoting a prevention-oriented culture grounded in leadership, participation, learning, and continuous improvement.
• SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being — supporting healthier workers and workplaces.
• SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth — advancing safe, healthy, and dignified work.
Governance, Integrity & Independence
IRIOSH is committed to maintaining institutional credibility through:
• Scientific integrity and research independence
• Ethical research practices and accountability
• Transparency and responsible collaboration
• Evidence-informed decision-making
• Respect for institutional and professional independence
IRIOSH is an independent Canadian not-for-profit research institute and is not affiliated with or part of the United Nations, International Labour Organization, International Social Security Association, or any governmental entity unless a formal relationship is explicitly identified.
What We Do
Research & Prevention
IRIOSH advances independent and collaborative research addressing occupational risks, prevention, worker health, well-being, and emerging workplace challenges.
Knowledge Translation & Open Exchange
We support the translation and dissemination of research through publications, policy insights, open-access knowledge, and accessible resources for researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers.
Capacity Building & Professional Learning
We facilitate webinars, seminars, workshops, conferences, and collaborative learning opportunities that strengthen occupational safety and health knowledge and prevention capacity.
Global Knowledge Exchange
We connect researchers, institutions, regulators, OSH professionals, industry stakeholders, and communities across regions to encourage scientific dialogue, shared learning, and international cooperation.
From Evidence to Impact
Across these activities, IRIOSH seeks to strengthen the pathway from research and evidence to prevention, policy, and practice—supporting safer, healthier, and more dignified workplaces worldwide.
Looking Ahead
IRIOSH is building toward a globally connected research institute that bridges evidence, prevention, policy, and practice.
We will continue to strengthen international research collaboration, expand knowledge exchange, support research on occupational risk prevention, and create opportunities for researchers and OSH professionals to contribute across regions.
Our direction remains clear: generate knowledge, strengthen prevention, and help advance safer, healthier, and more dignified workplaces worldwide.
Founder's Intent
