Survey to assess the feasibility of establishing an international network for evidence synthesis in occupational safety and health

Background Evidence synthesis in the field of occupational safety and health (OSH) has been continuously growing over the last two decades. With over 100 systematic reviews now published, the Cochrane Work Review group has played an important role in this development and the Cochrane Thematic Group 'Work & Health & Social Security' was established recently to combine evidence from both the OSH and insurance medicine fields. Worldwide, many organizations produce and synthesize evidence in OSH that can complement and support each other. We believe that a global network including Cochrane and others can collaborate on methods development and in the production, synthesis, use and dissemination of different types of evidence even more effectively.Aims To determine if establishing a global network for evidence synthesis in OSH is feasible.Methods We conducted a survey of international and national institutions between November 2022 and January 2023 using LimeSurvey. Participants included representatives of affiliated and sustaining members of the International Commission on Occupational Health, national institutes for OSH, academia and other international organizations.Results From 151 invitations, we received responses from 57 representatives of 54 organizations. Representatives reported that their organization will contribute financially on an annual basis (n = 1) or provide in-kind support (n = 10), and will probably be able to provide financial or in-kind support (n = 25).Conclusions The feasibility criterion was met and an international network is being established. We surveyed international and national institutions to determine their interest in and the feasibility of establishing a global network for evidence synthesis in occupational safety and health. The majority of institutions who responded to the survey (n = 57) indicated an interest in participating in a global network. Eleven institutions were willing to contribute financially or in-kind. We, therefore, concluded it feasible to establish the network.