In the context of social research it may be hard to clarify how responsibilities should be shared, and hard to make sure that both parties meet those responsibilities. Safety should be addressed by research funders as well as employers and research managers. Some issues about personal safety encompass ethical considerations. There is raised awareness of the dimensions of risk that may be associated with professional situations which involve close social interaction between people in a private setting. People who work in this way include doctors, solicitors, officers of local and central government, teaching staff, insurance and estate agents.
Risk is carried on both sides, however.
The person receiving the professional service may also be at risk of physical harm or abuse, or in danger of being exploited, frightened or psychologically harmed. Not all professional people behave properly, and some are inadequately trained to deal with the situations they encounter. If the professional person has an employer or manager, they should understand the risks involved on both sides, consider the balance of responsibilities, and act or intervene to protect employees and their clients. Several professions are developing or already have guidance or codes of practice for their staff, to help maintain their own personal safety. A major contribution has come from the work of the Suzie Lamplugh Trust, established after the disappearance and presumed murder of Suzie Lamplugh when she was working as an estate agent.