Social Sciences and Humanities Open (Jan 2023)
The effect of formalising worker involvement in the risk assessment process on the accident rate within UK higher education
Abstract
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states that worker involvement in the Risk Assessment (RA) process is part of completing a suitable and sufficient assessment. However, there is little evidence if formalising this involvement within the health and safety management system has an effect. This research paper utilised the Freedom of Information Acts to survey 100 UK universities to identify if they routinely involve workers in the RA process, if this is formalised in a policy, and their accident and incident statistics. The research found that there is a statistically significant effect on the near miss rate where worker involvement is formalised and that this effect is increased where Trade Union Representatives are involved. This suggests that formalising worker involvement in the RA process could increase near miss reporting and that doing so via Trade Unions may be the most effective route.
