He Economic and Social Analysis Team provides leadership and quality service in social research/ economics to help HSE protect people and places. We provide high-quality, evidence-based advice covering the full breadth of HSE’s remit, producing analysis and research used across UK Government, industry, academia, international bodies OECD and EU.
HSE economists provide advice and analysis on the development of HSE strategy/ policy in tackling serious occupational injury; work-related ill health including cancer and mental health; and serious industrial accidents.
They are able to consider a variety of key questions/ policy areas important to the development of the economy and the protection of workers and members of the public, including:
1. What are the costs/ benefits of changes in health and safety regulation to workers, businesses and wider society?
2. What are the economic impacts of reducing likelihood or impact of major accidents at hazardous workplaces power plants, chemical factories, and offshore installations?
3. How should HSE determine the appropriate type/ level of intervention in responding to health and safety failures? How should behavioural ‘nudges’ be designed for maximum effectiveness?
4. What are the quality of life/ welfare costs associated with workplace injuries and illnesses? How can we measure the impacts of long-latency health issues at work, such as exposure to asbestos and other carcinogens?
5. What incentives do businesses and workers face to comply with health and safety regulations?
6. What are the impacts of the business cycle on health and safety outcomes?
To provide sound evidence-based answers to these questions, we collaborate with other analysts/ specialists in HSE, including statisticians, social researchers, psychologists, medics and policy advisors. We also work with economists in other Departments on Cross-Governmental research on the value of life and health; delivering strategic aims to promote the use of economics to support decision-making as part of the Government Economic Service.