The majority of WHO Collaborating Centres (CCs) in OSH are research institutions, whose work contributes to understanding risks in occupational settings and to the development of preventive interventions. Through the WHO Global Programme, the CCs make research and service commitments that benefit developing and industrializing countries.

WHO continues its efforts to produce guidelines containing the scientific bases for health-based standards for the major occupational exposures and other conditions of work, including chemical, physical, biological and ergonomic factors. A primary programme is the International Programme of Chemical Safety which evaluates occupational and environmental exposures and makes recommendations for prevention. As far as appropriate and possible, WHO facilitates inter-national collaboration and international harmonization of standards.

Each country takes it own steps to adopt standards for the evaluation and prevention of occupational exposures, including chemical, physical, biological and ergonomic factors, based on guidance and support from international organizations and relevant professional and scientific communities. Where formal standards are not feasible or appropriate, guidelines and codes of practices are often prepared (e.g. on psychological factors). Collaboration of bodies responsible for occupational health and safety with employers' and workers' organizations occurs when international guidelines as well as standards are being set.

Other WHO/CC research is underway on the measurement of the global burden of diseases (applied research) and there are new studies underway of the cost effectiveness of efforts to reduce occupational exposures to silicosis and back pain.