Introduction Global network members of WHO Collaborating Centres for Occupational Health (CCs) assist WHO in implementing the World Health Assembly Resolution 60.26: the Global Plan of Action on Workers’ Health, (GPA) 2008–2017. Current activities align with workplan objectives for 2012–2017. Risk assessment, management, control and prevention of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are one of seven priority objectives. CCs include 50 centres of excellence in occupational health and three international partners including ICOH. Development and delivery of training and intervention strategies for identification, prevention, and management of occupational risk factors are the best path forward to achieving sustainability and improving conditions within informal and high risk sectors.

Methods WHOCCs conducted a review of CC contributions toward WHO Secretariat in implementing the GPA under the 2006–2012 workplan. Quantitative self-administered questionnaires collected information on outputs from projects conducted by CCs. Qualitative surveys asked semi-structured questions about views, opinions and ideas regarding CCs.

Result Project leaders from 46 CCs in 28 countries (including ICOH) responded to the quantitative survey. Of 202 responses, 78.7% produced a product and 70.5% indicated another CC/NGO had product participation. Primary product audiences were health professionals, academic researchers, and employers. Products available by weblink or in pdf format will be made accessible through the GeoLibrary. CCs also conducted 143 training courses and materials were available for over 75% of trainings; 25 CCs responded to the qualitative survey. Key themes emerging from data analysis highlighted CCs’ strengths, advantages to other networks, external constraints, areas for improvement, new ways of working, utilisation of CC contributions, collaboration among the CCs, and their WHO affiliation.

Discussion WHO and ICOH are major organisations whose work contributes to protecting workers globally. By leveraging collaboration, each brings important perspective and expertise with shared commitments to healthy and safe workplaces. The 2006–2012 review reflected the contributions and reach of these partnerships.