IRSST’s scientists and the external researchers whose work it funds conduct studies and publish results that contribute to the advancement of knowledge about occupational injury prevention and worker rehabilitation.

While this new knowledge takes multiple forms, its ultimate goal remains the same: to equip workplaces to move toward the “elimination, at the source, of dangers to the health, safety and physical well-being of workers,” as stipulated in the Act respecting Occupational Health and Safety (AOHS). Given that it is not always possible to attain this primary prevention objective, the IRSST must also conduct studies on secondary and tertiary prevention.

One thing is certain, however: the results of these studies help build OHS knowledge, sometimes through breakthroughs or major advances, but more often brick by brick. The peer-reviewed results published on the IRSST's are often unprecedented, and are always based on evidence and solid scientific foundations. They also allow new research avenues to be explored.