Useful links

Please note that these links are to external websites and while you may find the information contained on these websites interesting, HSE does not endorse these websites and cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information contained in them.

Government's mandate for horizon scanning

• Horizon Scanning Centre
  

  The Office of Science and Innovation has established a Horizon Scanning Centre within its Foresight Directorate.

  The Centre's aims are:
  • To inform departmental and cross-departmental decision-making;
  • To support horizon scanning carried out by others inside and outside government;
  • To spot the implications of emerging science and technology and enable others to act on them.

• Guidelines on Scientific Analysis in Policy Making
  mandated Government departments and agencies to:
  • think ahead and indentify early the issues on which they need scientific advice and early public engagement, and where the current evidence base is weak and should be strengthened
  • get a wide range of advice from the best sources, particularly when there is uncertainty
  • publish the evidence and analysis and all relevant papers.

Government websites with further horizon scanning information

• Foresight projects
  Part of the UK Government Office for Science within the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, Foresight uses the latest scientific and other evidence combined with futures analysis to tackle complex issues and help policy-makers make decisions affecting our future.
• Environment and food issues
  Part of the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Defra Horizon Scanning and Futures team offer a range of futures related products and services, including a newsletter.

European developments

• European Risk Observatory
  The aim of EU-OSHA's Risk Observatory (ERO) is to identify new and emerging risks in occupational safety and health in order to improve the timeliness and effectiveness of preventive measures. To achieve this, the ERO provides an overview of safety and health at work in Europe, describes the trends and underlying factors and anticipates changes to work and their likely impact on occupation al health and safety.