Handling Occupational Health and Safety and Its Impacts on the Doctoral Journey

Abstract

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) now often forms part of many universities’ prerequisites for completion of the first major milestone of the research journey (e.g., the Confirmation of Candidature), but OHS is not simply about what the university demands for their procedures and processes. A research journey also requires that students and supervisors look further and address the need for what could be termed ‘POHS’ or ‘Personal OHS’ with regard to maintaining committed relationships with family and friends and utilising the benefits of exercise on physical and mental health to keep moving forward. While consideration of OHS within the intended project proposal needs to be addressed from the beginning of the research journey to allow the project to proceed smoothly and not be prohibited for being too hazardous, a POHS plan is also a necessity. This chapter provides a plan for tackling issues that may come up during the journey at the beginning and putting in place contingency plans, allowing a happier, healthier and smoother experience, so everyone can make it safely to the destination of the completed thesis in one piece.