The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) and the Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST) have formalised a five-year partnership to enhance occupational health and safety research nationwide. The agreement focuses on mobilising scientific expertise to prevent workplace accidents and occupational diseases.

Under the framework, the two organisations will hold annual meetings to guide joint research projects, review knowledge dissemination strategies, and coordinate funding and communications. They may also establish targeted agreements for specific initiatives, defining responsibilities, financial terms, schedules, and intellectual property rights.

Collaboration extends to joint activities, including the exchange of scientific data, participation in committees and working groups, organisation of training sessions, seminars, conferences, lectures, and joint publication of research outputs. Personnel exchanges between the institutions will further support expertise sharing and capacity building.

CCOHS President and CEO Anne Tennier highlighted the shared commitment to improving worker well-being through collaboration and innovation, while IRSST President and CEO Lyne Sauvageau emphasised the importance of pan-Canadian cooperation to address workplace realities and research challenges effectively.

The agreement reinforces the strategic link between two leading Canadian occupational health and safety organisations, combining their expertise to tackle emerging risks, enhance preventive measures, and support evidence-based safety policies. It demonstrates a unified approach to fostering safer, healthier work environments across diverse sectors.

The partnership positions both organisations to respond dynamically to evolving workplace safety demands, strengthen national accreditation, and deliver actionable insights that improve occupational health outcomes.

Explore how this partnership is reshaping occupational health and safety research and practical applications across Canada in the full story.