Dr. Lynda Robson
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 Toronto Metropolitan University. She is also a member of the Canadian Standards Association Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (Z45001) Technical Committee.
Robson obtained her PhD in biochemistry from the University of Toronto, but later changed fields through additional education at the university's former Graduate Department of Community Health.
Robson's research interests include using both quantitative and qualitative methods to study occupational health and safety (OHS) management, organizational change in OHS and the evaluation of prevention programs, especially OHS training programs.
“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
Projects
- Effectiveness of training and education for the protection of workers: a systematic review. Completed. (PI on the project)
- Occupational health and safety management audit instruments: a literature review. Funded by Workplace Safety and Insurance Board of Ontario. Completed. (PI on the project)
- Effectiveness of occupational health and safety management systems: a systematic review. Completed.
Publications
- Shannon HS, Robson LS, Sale JEM. Creating safer and healthier workplaces: role of organizational factors and job characteristics. American Journal of Industrial Medicine. 2001;40:319-334. doi:10.1002/ajim.1106.
- Brooker AS, Cole DC, Eakin J, Kerr MS, Robson LS, Severin C, Shannon HS. What gets measured gets done: the Healthy Workplace Balanced Scorecard. Institute for Work & Health; 2000.
- Shannon HS, Robson LS, Guastello SJ. Methodological criteria for evaluating occupational safety intervention research. Safety Science. 1999;31(2):161-179.
Speaker Series presentations
- Is in-person training more effective than online training? Findings from a study of Ontario workers. IWH Speaker Series. September 19, 2023.
- Preventing falls from heights in construction: a long-term evaluation of Ontario's working-at-heights training standard. IWH Speaker Series. December 13, 2022.
- The union effect on safety in the ICI construction sector: a study update. IWH Speaker Series. January 12, 2021.
- Evaluating the implementation and effectiveness of Ontario’s working-at-heights training standards. IWH Speaker Series. February 26, 2019.
- Managing safety and operations: The effect of joint management system practices on safety and operational outcomes. IWH Speaker Series. November 8, 2016.
Interviews and articles
- OHS education and training promotes positive worker practices. At Work: Institute for Work & Health; No. 59, Winter 2010.
- OHS management audits differ in what they assess and how. At Work: Institute for Work & Health; No. 56, Spring 2009.