It is a University requirement that risk assessments should be conducted for all staff and student research. Risk assessments should be completed for research, both within and outside the University, before work commences. The purpose of the risk assessment is to identify potential hazards, and hence control measures that might be needed. This is to help ensure the health and safety of the Researcher and of any other person that might be affected by the work.
A Health and Safety Risk Assessment for Ethics Applications form should be completed by the Researcher: for research student work this should be in collaboration with the Supervisor. The form should be countersigned by the DoS/ Supervisor (students) or a colleague (staff). Please ensure that you read the documents 1) Writing, Reviewing and Implementing Risk Assessments and 2) Guidance for the Ethics Assessment. All applicants can consult the Health & Safety Office when completing their risk assessment and a risk assessment number should be obtained and included on the form (see link below). A Health and Safety Compliance Declaration for Ethics Applications must also be completed and submitted: this should be signed by either a supervisor (research students) or the applicant (staff) and should include the risk assessment reference number. It is the responsibility of the Dean of School/Faculty to ensure that risk assessments are conducted for all research being undertaken by their School/Faculty. If the project involves working abroad the Ethics Overseas Background Information Form should also be completed.
Further advice can be obtained from the Health and Safety Office: please see Ethics contacts.