Ethics Guidance for Occupational Health Practice 9th Edition - Book - Page 102
5.38. Under the UKGDPR Article 5(1)(e), data stored for research purposes may be
kept indefinitely as long appropriate safeguards are in place. In this situation
pseudonymisation is recommended [Principles and grounds for processing |
ICO]. However, research must be the only purpose indefinite retention, and the
data cannot later be used for another purpose.
Consultation and communication
5.39. Careful consultation with workers or their representatives at the beginning of a
study helps to increase participation as well as being good ethical practice. Third
party research teams should also involve any local occupational health
professional who is best placed to facilitate communication and feedback and
has a key role in establishing trust in the research process.
5.40. It is important to give subjects a contact name and address for questions about
the study, to have a system for logging complaints or questions about the study,
and to record replies. In both oral and written communication, it is important
to choose a form and language that can be easily understood by the
participants.
5.41. It is particularly important to summarise results and the implications for health
and employment / career if relevant in a format that is suitably understandable
by the participants their relatives and their representatives. The same applies to
the employers and communication with employers’ representative should be
clear and understandable explaining the implication for the workforce and the
business as relevant. The perception of risk is likely to vary in occupational
groups and different employers, and this should be taken into account in any
communication.
5.42. The communication should be clear that participation is voluntary. It should
clarify that taking part or declining to taking part, would have no consequences
in terms of the worker’s occupation and career.
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