The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the University of Manchester have committed to launching an Institute for Risk and Regulatory Research.According to the HSE, the new Thomas Ashton Institute “will capitalise on the existing strong international credibility of both the University of Manchester and HSE”.
The new facility “will act as a hub for risk and regulatory excellence reaching out globally through its educational activities and acting as an authoritative source of health and safety knowledge and expertise.”
It will deliver research, training and learning on a national and global stage, and will support HSE and the University of Manchester even further in growing capability and expertise in the management and regulation of risk.
The HSE say that health and safety practitioners from around the world will be able to learn and benefit from the knowledge and learning opportunities available from the Institute, taking back an enhanced competence to their own countries, where it can be used to improve safety and health locally.
One of the key aims of the Institute’s work will be to take the lessons learned from four decades of incident investigations and research and making them accessible to industry. The work will help to make sure that mistakes are not repeated as new technologies and industries emerge.
Both partners are keen to bring new technologies to fruition safely and more quickly by addressing safety, health and regulatory barriers before they emerge.
HSE chief executive, Dr Richard Judge, said: “We are excited by the opportunities that establishing this new Institute brings, and by the opportunity to cement and strengthen our long running partnership with the University of Manchester. This directly supports our regulatory activities.
“In creating an international centre of excellence for risk and regulatory research, we are also providing a focal point for working with others. As part of that, we will invite forward-thinking contributors to work with us on the Institute’s future programmes to prevent work-related death, injury and ill health.”
The University of Manchester president and vice chancellor, Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, added: “This is an excellent partnership that has the ability to develop, transform and shape Health and Safety research and policy and expertise for years to come. Partnering with such a reputable organisation such as the HSE is testimony to the University’s growing reputation in this area and is a reflection of the research expertise and practitioner-led excellence here at Manchester.”
The Thomas Ashton Institute will reduce risk, increase assurance and influence the leaders of today and tomorrow to transform the working world in the UK and abroad, the HSE adds.
Could not have chosen a better University