Grants awarded 2008

Our call for bids in 2008 asked for research proposals into how best to meet the challenges of securing healthy and safe work for all members of a diverse working population and enabling them to work while minimising risk of harm.

We also considered innovative applications that address other aspects of the IOSH vision, 'A world of work which is safe, healthy and sustainable'. In this round of funding we've committed around £0.40 million to five projects:

Institution: International University of Monaco
Project leader: Dr David Ansiau
Title: Longitudinal study of the effects of shift work on health: analyses of VISAT (ageing, health and work) data.
Start date: June 2009
End date: June 2011

This project investigates the underlying causes of health and safety problems associated with abnormal work schedules and ageing. The study determines the long term effects of shift-work on:

• sleep
• cognition
• metabolic dysfunction
• quality of life.

It also looks at the implications for health and safety management, particularly job design, work organisation and the development of educational material.

Institution: University of Liverpool
Project leader: Dr Stacey Conchie
Title: Promoting safety engagement among supervisors: individual and organisational antecedents of active leadership
Start date: January 2009
End date: December 2009
Final report: Download full report (PDF 1,008 KB) 
Summary report: Download summary report (PDF 189 KB)

Focusing on the construction industry, this project explores the factors that influence supervisors' engagement in active safety leadership and considers how these influences may be affected by other workers. The study assesses the relative contributions of these factors and whether they help or hinder active safety leadership.

Institution: Brunel University
Project leader: Dr Alexandra Farrow and Dr Frances Reynolds
Title: Post retirement age workers and health and safety
Start date: January 2009
End date: January 2011

This project critically reviews the literature in relation to the health and safety of older workers and specifically those of post-retirement age. The study also compares the safety experiences and practices of post retirement age workers with those of pre-retirement age workers

Institution: Institute of Occupational Medicine
Project leader: Dr Joanne Crawford
Title: The health, safety and health promotion needs of older workers: building an evidence base for a diverse workforce
Start date: October 2008
End date: March 2009
Final report: Download full report (PDF 416 KB)
Summary report: Download summary report (726 KB)

This project explores the evidence base from current and recent international research on the health, safety and health promotion needs of older workers. Using a systematic review methodology, the study identifies these needs and investigates intervention strategies in workers aged 50 and above.

Institution: Glasgow Caledonian University
Project leader: Dr Iain Cameron
Title: The impact of pictorial OSH training on migrant worker behaviour and competence
Start date: May 2009
End date: April 2010

This project explores whether delivering occupational health and safety training, using pictorial aids, is linked with improved occupational health and safety competence and behaviour amongst migrant workers in the construction industry. Pre- and post-intervention data will be collected and analysed to see if there are associations between the training interventions and any changes in performance.