Using evidence in occupational safety and health (OSH) decision making may help reduce rates of occupational incidents and diseases.

However, the role evidence currently plays within OSH is unclear. This report describes a study exploring the role of evidence in OSH decision making. It also considers what evidence is produced, shared and used, and by whom.

We developed two conceptual models based on literature from a Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA) that included 28 articles and stakeholder engagement (via secondary analysis of existing interview data, a global survey and primary interviews). The first illustrates the actors and agencies involved in evidence production, sharing and use and their interrelationships. The second demonstrates the processes involved in decision making at the local (e.g. organisation/business) and systems level and the role evidence plays in these processes. Our research suggests that legal, regulatory, business and cultural factors influence OSH-related decision making, and are often prioritised over OSH evidence.

This study’s findings suggest the need for more effective translation of evidence for lay audiences alongside more effective tools and techniques for sharing knowledge about OSH evidence and practices at a local and systems level. Promoting a positive safety culture (e.g. where employees appreciate the value of safety practices rather than viewing them as an inconvenience) is also important for using evidence in OSH, particularly at a local level. This is because individual attitudes, values, perceptions and behaviours heavily influence the use of evidence in practice. At a systems level, methods need to be developed to map the evidence ecosystems for specific countries, sectors and topics of interest, as the models developed in this work are generic and may differ based on these factors. Finally, our findings suggest a substantial time gap between identifying a problem and using evidence to address it, possibly calling for increased system capacity for rapid evidence assessment and response to issues.