Updated guidance for the research community in higher education has been made available through a partnership between IOSH and the Universities Safety and Health Association (USHA).
The Education Service Advisory Committee’s book, ‘Managing Health and Safety aspects of research in higher and further education’, was first published in 2000. Since then, organisations have been encouraged to manage health and safety by adopting a ‘plan-do-check-act’ approach, a management system that the new guidance has been updated to reflect.
The scope of the new document has also been broadened to make it relevant to all ‘not-for-profit’ research groups.
Marion Richards, who chaired the project team, said: “The health and safety culture in the UK has matured and it was felt that an overview was needed. We wanted guidance that would be more easily read and understood.”
IOSH research and information services manager Jane White commented: “The guide, which lives on the IOSH and USHA websites, gives clear and supportive advice on how to address health and safety issues when conducting research.
“Its strength comes in the many practical examples of specific research situations and how to manage them. This is about making things happen, finding the next scientific breakthrough, while making sure that no one gets hurt doing it.”
The guidance was launched to the research community at the Natural History Museum, in London. Delegates heard from a variety of speakers, who used case studies to illustrate the various health and safety challenges and considerations relevant to their research environments.
USHA chair Clive Parkinson said: “The new guidance is another example of how those involved in safety in research organisations can work together under a common banner. I expect these collaborations to continue, with USHA taking a leading role.”
The guidance can be found at http://www.usha.org.uk/guidance-documents
