Engaging the public in busting Health and Safety myths

Politics Senior Lecturer Dr Claire Dunlop hosted a public engagement event which brought together civil servants from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and members of Exeter’s University of the 3^rd Age (U3A) to explore the roots of health and safety myths.

The event, on Monday 15^th December 2014, was inspired by ground-breaking research by Dr Dunlop which analyses the first two years of submissions to the Health and Safety Executive’s Myth-Busters Challenge Panel (MBCP). Set up in April 2012, the Panel this allows members of the public to challenge incorrect or over the top decisions taken in the name of health and safety by non-regulators – such as consumer organisations, employers, health and safety consultants, insurance companies, and so on. Claire said: “It was exciting to present the research to U3A members and get their perspectives on the idea of health and safety myths, and their experiences of them. I was especially delighted that policy officers from the HSE were there to present their unique myth busters initiative and explore this complex phenomenon“. Carol McCullough of the Exeter U3A University Liaison Team said: “For members of Exeter U3A and the surrounding areas this was a great opportunity to find out about and participate in relevant research going on in our university and to have an enlightening discussion, debunking the myths and validating the importance of the Health and Safety Executive.”

Funding for the event came from the University of Exeter’s Catalyst Fund.