The
general public trust the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as a competent risk
regulator, although many don’t understand its key functions, according to
research.
Research
carried out by the University of East Anglia and the Health and Safety
Laboratory (HSL), shows that the HSE has a high public-trust profile as an
organisation independent of vested interests.
It
found the majority of people thought the HSE was working in the public interest
and raising awareness of health and safety issues rather than denying or
attempting to explain them away.
However,
the report identifies limited public understanding of HSE’s core functions; and
very little of its policy, information and research functions.