Principal investigators/researchers health and safety responsibilities

As a principal investigator you are responsible for the health and safety management of your research project and for the health and safety of staff you line manage.

What you need to do

• Make sure research staff and students know how to carry out their research work safely, by providing adequate information, instruction, training and supervision.
• Carry out a health and safety induction for new research staff and students.
• Make sure you co-ordinate your activities and communicate with co-investigators, research staff and others who could be affected by your research activities, so that health and safety risks can be managed.
• Make sure research risk assessments are carried out as part of your research project planning and that control measures are implemented.
• Monitor and review your health and safety risk assessments and safe working procedures in response to changes to research plans and as a part of regular project review.

Find out more about your responsibilities as a manager.

Health and safety topics

• Risk assessments
• Field trips
• Overseas travel
• Physical agents 
• Hazardous substances 
• Dangerous substances
• Equipment safety
• Biological agents safety (Essex users only)
• Health surveillance

Further information

Guidance from the Universities Safety and Health Association (USHA):

• Responsible research: IOSH/USHA/UCEA guidance on managing health and safety in research (.pdf)
• USHA Higher Education Sector Guidance on Safety in Fieldwork and Travel
• Guidance by the UK Nanosafety Partnership Group: Working Safely with Nanomaterials in Research and Development (.pdf)
• Institute of Safety in Technology and Research