Staff ~ Scientists

Dr. Lynda Robson

Scientist
PhD, Biochemistry, University of Toronto
Staff email
lrobson@iwh.on.ca
Staff extension
416-927-2027 ext. 2164

Dr. Lynda Robson is a scientist at the Institute for Work & Health, where she has worked since 1997. She is an adjunct professor in the School of Occupational and Public Health at Ryerson University. She was also a member of the technical committee developing the second edition of the Canadian Standards Association OHS management standard, CSA Z1000.

Robson obtained her PhD in biochemistry from the University of Toronto, but later changed fields through additional education at the university's Department of Public Health Sciences.

Robson's research interests include occupational health and safety (OHS) management, organizational change in OHS and the evaluation of prevention programs.
 

Photo of Lynda Robson

“The lab research in which I was involved, though ultimately intended to benefit people, was in itself lacking in the social/human dimension. Now, I often study people and their organizations, and more often interact with users of the research, and I find that personally rewarding." – Dr. Lynda Robson

Research areas

A colourful array of old hardhats hanging up
Workplace OHS programs and practices
Overhead view of male cleaner pushing industrial floor polisher along long red walkway
OHS regulation and enforcement

Projects

Evaluating the implementation and effectiveness of Ontario’s working-at-heights training standard . Funded by Ontario Ministry of Labour. Ongoing. (PI on the project)
Evaluating the implementation of a participatory organizational change intervention in long-term care. Funded by Ontario Ministry of Labour. Ongoing.
Strengthening disability management in Ontario’s municipal sector. Funded by Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Social Sciences Humanities Research Council Signature Initiative. Ongoing.
Evaluating an internal responsibility system audit tool for Ontario’s mining sector. Funded by Ontario Ministry of Labour. Completed.
Implementation of workplace violence legislation in Ontario hospitals. Funded by Ontario Ministry of Labour. Completed.

Publications

Biswas A, Severin C, Smith PM, Steenstra I, Robson LS, Amick B. Larger workplaces, people-oriented culture, and specific industry sectors are associated with co-occurring health protection and wellness activities. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2018;15(12):2739. doi:10.3390/ijerph15122739.
Shevchenko A, Pagell M, Johnston D, Veltri A, Robson LS. Joint management systems for operations and safety: a routine-based perspective. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2018;194:635-644. doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.05.176.
Kosny A, Tonima S, Ferron EM, Mustard C, Robson LS, Gignac MA, Chambers A, Hajee Y. Implementing violence prevention legislation in hospitals: final report. Institute for Work & Health; 2018.
Kosny A, Tonima S, Ferron EM, Mustard C, Robson LS, Gignac MA, Chambers A. Implementing violence prevention legislation in hospitals: summary. Institute for Work & Health; 2017.
Robson LS, Ibrahim S, Hogg-Johnson S, Steenstra I, Van Eerd D, Amick B. Developing leading indicators from OHS management audit data: determining the measurement properties of audit data from the field. Journal of Safety Research. 2017;61:93. doi:10.1016/j.jsr.2017.02.008.

Presentations

Managing safety and operations: The effect of joint management system practices on safety and operational outcomes. IWH Speaker Series. November 8, 2016.
A model of "breakthrough change" in workplace health and safety performance. IWH Speaker Series. May 13, 2014.
A systematic review of the effectiveness of training and education for the protection of workers. IWH Speaker Series. March 9, 2010.

Interviews and articles

What research can do: OHS change model informs WSPS’s approach to small businesses. At Work: Institute for Work & Health; No. 92, Spring 2018.
Making the business case for safety: Don't sacrifice safety for operations. OHS Insider: Bongarde Media (Penticton, BC). September 17, 2016. Available from: https://ohsinsider.com/insider-top-stories/making-business-case-safety-dont-sacrifice-safety-operations
Employers that focus on both operations and safety don’t have to sacrifice either. At Work: Institute for Work & Health; No. 85, Summer 2016.
OPM follow-up questions now available to help firms act on leading indicator scores. At Work: Institute for Work & Health; No. 84, Spring 2016.
Managing your OHS program: A case study on breakthrough changes in safety. OHS Insider: Bongarde Media (Penticton, BC). April 20, 2016. Available from: https://ohsinsider.com/insider-top-stories/managing-ohs-program-case-study-breakthrough-changes-safety