Health and safety in postgraduate research

Learn how to manage health and safety, fieldwork and other practical issues during your research project.

Health and safety   

Wherever you are working in the University you need to be aware of the health and safety requirements. You will be told about them in your local induction. 

If you are working in a research facility, you may need to complete a local health and safety induction before you can start your research. Your school will tell you about this.     

An overview of health and safety is given on the PGR induction leaflet.

Travel and fieldwork 

Check the Wellbeing, Safety and Health site for guidance on risk assessment processes for travelling and working away from the University during your studies. For example, travelling for study and research-related activities such as conferences, meetings, or other fieldwork or data collection. Their guidance will tell you the types of activities covered by the risk assessment process and what you need to do.  

If you are travelling to meetings, conferences or organising fieldwork, make sure you use the risk assessment processes in place in your school or faculty. This is intended to minimise risk and ensure that as a University we fulfil our duty of care to protect everyone. 

For information about local arrangements for travel, including risk assessments, change of study location reporting please contact your Graduate School.     

Pregnancy   

For advice on health and safety issues relating to pregnant PGR, check Maternity, adoption, paternity and parental leave for postgraduate researchers.   

Disability support   

If you are a disabled PGR and have questions about health and safety and your disability, please contact your Graduate School or Disability Services.   

PGR placements   

If you are planning a formal placement with another organisation there should be a formal agreement in place to ensure you remain healthy and safe. A risk assessment is also required. Contact your Graduate School if you will be undertaking a placement. 

Lone working   

Lone working may occur if people are working out of normal hours or in a remote location. This can be in regular office or research spaces on campus as well as during fieldwork. It is important to think about how to keep safe if you are lone working. A risk assessment may be required.  If this applies to you, please contact your Graduate School for advice. Find more information about wellbeing and safety when lone working.  

You can also download the Safezone app which has a check in timer. Use this to share your campus location with the security team if it helps you to feel more comfortable, for example if you are working alone in a building.