Example occupational health and safety dissertation topic 4:

Lone employee working: Minimising risks, maximising safety.

Centred upon independent newsagents and allied shops (such as confectioners) that tend to employ one or two personnel; this is an exploratory study. Mindful of the dangers that may befall the lone shopkeeper – including, for instance theft, accident, and sudden ill health, this dissertation proposes a ‘solution’ through which such lone workers can be safeguarded in their work. Advocating the adoption (either in a voluntary manner or through mandated legislation) of remote sensing devices – which would require the lone worker to acknowledge that they are ‘not in danger’ at predetermined intervals, this study first evaluates the feasibility of such devices and thereafter ascertains perceptions of their usefulness and desirability by interviewing lone workers. This dissertation address an area of health and safety that is oft overlooked in contemporary literature, making it worthy of study at this juncture.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• Brennan, W. (2010). ‘Safer lone working: Assessing the risk to health professionals’. British Journal of Nursing, vol. 19(22), pp. 1428-1430.
• O’Toole, M.F. (2006). Lone workers: A unique and ongoing safety management challenge. ASSE Professional Development Conference and Exposition, June 11-14, Seattle, WA.
• Pitt, M. (2007). ‘Keeping the workplace safe’. Human Resource Management International Digest, vol. 15(6), 43-44.