It will be of interest not only to those conducting research but also to those involved in field investigation. The information is provided under the HSC/E policies on Open Government and to provide assurance on the ethical conduct of HSE internally conducted research.

HSE's Research Ethics Committee (REC) is responsible to the Executive for the ethical conduct of studies which are designed to increase understanding of those workplace factors that contribute to occupational ill-health or give rise to decrements in performance which lead to an increased risk of accident. The Committee's role is to protect the dignity, rights, safety and well being of those individuals who are the subject of HSE's field, laboratory and epidemiological research.

Investigations which are to be submitted to the REC for clearance are those involving human subjects, whether individuals at work or healthy volunteers, which could present any physical or psychological risk or any discomfort or invasion of privacy. Any research activity involving intrusive questioning and/or the collection of confidential personal data is of interest to the Committee. Without Committee clearance any such investigation should not go ahead.