The Universities Safety and Health Association (USHA) is an organisation for the promotion of safety and health in higher education.  Membership is primarily open to higher education institutions both in the UK and from further afield. Membership is also available to research institutions and related organisations upon request. The association was formed in the early 1970s and has grown over the years to its current cohort of approximately 150 universities.

Organisation
The Association is managed by an Executive Board consisting of a Chair (who serves for a two year period), a Deputy Chair, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer and four additional members.  The officers and executive are elected at the Annual General Meeting. 

Objectives
USHA’s main objective is to provide an organisation for the exchange of information on all aspects of health and safety and related topics relevant to the higher education, supporting the work of safety practitioners across a wide range of specialist areas.  The Association liaises with external bodies having similar aims as well as acting as a contact point for enforcing agencies and Trade Unions.  It conducts educative meetings and publishes information for the benefit of its members and other interested parties on a regular basis.

Specific objectives include:

• Promotion of excellence in the strategic planning, management, administration, operation and development of safety and health across the University sector.
• Promotion of the reputation and activities of USHA and its members regionally, nationally and internationally.
• Consideration of policy and advice on matters referred to it by Universities UK, the Health and Safety Executive, Universities and Colleges Employers Association, the Higher Education Funding Councils, other appropriate bodies and individuals.
• Provision of forums for discussion, consultation and exchange of information on health and safety issues, particularly where they relate to the higher education sector.
• Influencing opinion formers and decision-makers on health and safety issues.
• Promoting opportunities for development and training for the benefit of members and their respective staff.
• Optimising solutions to common problems and concerns by disseminating and harnessing the particular expertise, experience and knowledge of Members for mutual benefit.
• Furthering Association objectives by arranging conferences, meetings, lectures, discussions and other activities.

Advantages of membership
There are many benefits to be gained from membership of USHA

• The opportunity to attend a wide range of conferences, seminars, meetings and training courses. Access to an excellent learning and development programme presenting outstanding value for money.
• A community of support , knowledge sharing and networking from safety practitioners across the higher education sector
• Access to a range of the ‘hasnet’  family  of e-mail discussion groups and forums  including the generalist hasnet-link and specialist lists hasnet-fire and hasnet-OH for occupational health matters
• Benchmarking through sharing of sector key performance indicators such as accident and fire-related statistics
• Access to the HASMAP auditing system for higher education
• Access to online resources  and training packages specifically developed for  the higher education sector
• Membership of one or more of the nine regional groups operating throughout Great Britain offering local support and networking opportunities
• Membership of additional specialist interest groups and sub groups such as the Fire Safety sub group and the Auditing sub group
• Input to a range of partner organisations such as University and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) and Higher Education Safety Health Forum (HESH) as well as a direct dialogue with enforcement agencies.
• Access to safety practitioner job vacancies within the sector
• A dedicated Website with members area, showcasing recent developments and news
• Consultation with members on a wide range of new and revised documents
• The participation and celebration of excellence in safety contributions within the Higher Education sector through a Safety Award Scheme
• The opportunity to participate in an international safety practitioners exchange programme and application for travel bursary assistance
• Access to member resources via the web site, including GaP, a new resource bank for guidance and policy documents developed by universities and  ‘TRADE’, an innovative resource area for accessing safety training providers, auditors and diagnostic services within the HE sector