HSL Annual Performance Agreement 2008/09 (PDF 43KB)
  HSL Annual Performance Agreement 2007/08 (PDF 36KB)
  HSL Annual Reports
  HSL Framework Document 2007 (PDF, 90KB)
  Scientific Audit 2004
  Scientific Audit 2002

Scientific Audit 2004
In January 2004 a small international team of renowned scientists undertook a scientific audit of HSL. The audit focused on the work of three areas of HSL’s activities:

• Computer modelling (computational fluid mechanics and finite element analysis)
• Metallurgy and materials
• Occupational hygiene (minerals and fibres and exposure control)

The audit team considered HSL’s staff resources with regard to qualifications, experience and scientific management skills; equipment and facilities; quality and relevance of the work undertaken; and the engagement of staff with the national and international community in the relevant fields of interest.

The report noted that scientific and technical staff “were all well qualified and were clearly well motivated by their work” and that “the equipment and facilities demonstrated within the groups visited was of a good standard”. The report also commented on the forthcoming collocation of the whole laboratory on the Buxton site in 2004, noting that “the provision of new facilities should improve the effectiveness of the technical groups (e.g. improve interdisciplinary team working) and provide new and challenging opportunities for extending the scope of work”.

  Scientific Audit 2004 - Full report and HSL's response (PDF format, 63KB)

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Scientific Audit 2002
In November 2002 a scientific audit of HSL was carried out by an international team of scientists and engineers. The team was asked to give assurance (or not) that a cross-section of HSL's scientific activities bears highly favourable comparison with the international scientific community as it pertains in comparable organisations.

The team was sent a pack of briefing material prior to spending an intensive two day visit at the laboratory which included general presentations on the workings of HSL and more detailed sessions with seven sections. The audit focused particularly on: staff resources; equipment and facilities; HSL's Science and Technology Strategy; quality and relevance of the work as represented by peer reviewed publications; and engagement with the national and international scientific community.

The report noted that staff were "high quality, well qualified for the work and highly motivated", and the laboratory was "well equipped and maintained". The overall conclusion was that:

'the activities and achievements of the Laboratory compare favourably with similar national laboratories in Europe and North America. In particular areas of the present activities, the work is at the level of international standards.

  Scientific Audit 2002 - Full report and HSL's response (PDF format, 127KB)

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