Health and Safety Executive

Aims and objectives

The aim of horizon scanning and futures

The aim is to systematically anticipate, identify and prepare for new or changing risks in the workplace and to consider the implications that new and emerging issues will have on the distribution of resources, existing priorities and delivery for work related health and safety.

The aim of this website

The horizon scanning and futures website has been created to make the outputs of that process publicly available. The information is made available so those who are either involved in these developments and changes, or could be affected by them, are made aware of HSE's work in these areas. By making this process open to public scrutiny and comment, we aim to draw on the knowledge, experience and ideas of people outside HSE and make our strategic planning more transparent and comprehensive.

Objectives of horizon scanning and futures

  1. To improve health and safety in the workplace by anticipating, identifying and preparing for new or changing medium- to long-term risks in all workplaces and to the public from workplace activities.
  2. To help ensure that HSE keeps abreast of the health and safety implications of cross-Government activities (eg Foresight programmes) that could impact health and safety in the workplace.
  3. To inform strategic thinking, planning and target setting, contributing to the development of HSE’s strategic priorities,core and programme development and policy objectives.
  4. To benefit the wider health and safety system through direct involvement of stakeholders (e.g. LAs), and by making the horizon scanning process, and its outputs, open and inclusive.

Scope of horizon scanning and futures

Horizon scanning should identify developments in:

  • science and technology;
  • the workplace;
  • socio-economic factors that affect the labour force and market;
  • public attitudes to risk and health and safety;
  • the UK political agenda;
  • the European Union; and
  • international developments;

that could significantly affect workplace health and safety in the UK.

Directgov - Business Link

Updated 03.09.10