Example occupational health and safety dissertation topic 6:

Protecting the professionals: Rising risks and minimising harm in nursing and teaching.

Concerned by the increased level of knife crimes within schools, and the incidences of abuse suffered by NHS professionals, this dissertation investigates the use of knife-proof vests. Though it may seem, at first sight, an over-reaction, this dissertation argues that through conducting a pilot study with nursing and teaching staff at respectively two hospitals and schools in the Greater Manchester area, it will be possible to gauge the effect that the wearing of such protective clothing has on the confidence of staff to deal with the unpredictable (and potentially life threatening) situations that they face on a daily basis. Using qualitative interviews, this dissertation will then present the findings of the study and make recommendations as to the desirability of giving such professionals protective clothing. In testing the hypothesis, this study has no preconceptions as to the outcome of the pilot and accordingly, this is a dynamic piece of primary research that will develop as the study is undertaken.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• Eades, C., Grimshaw, R., Silvestri, A. and Solomon, E. (2007). Knife crime: A review of evidence and policy. London: Centre for Crime and Justice Studies.
• Gray, J. T. and Walker, A. (2009). “At the sharp end”: Does ambulance dispatch data from south Yorkshire support the picture of increased weapon-related violence in the UK?. Emergency Medicine Journal, 26(10), 741-742.
• Mott, A., Dobson, P., Walton, J., Highfield, P., Harries, L., Seal, R., & Butland, P. (2009). ‘Breakaway training for NHS staff: Time for a fresh approach?’ Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice, vol. 4(3), 37-46.