Assessing the Laboratory Safety Perceptions, Willingness, and Efforts of First-Year Undergraduates of Chemistry-Related Majors

Abstract

The survey includes a sample size of 360 undergraduates covering four chemistry-related majors. The instrument reliability and validity are also tested. The results show that most of the students have a more positive laboratory safety perception and efforts. However, the laboratory safety willingness is relatively weak. In addition, there is a significant difference in gender, majors, and source regions. And laboratory safety efforts have significant correlation with safety perceptions and safety willingness. These results provide data for the improvement of laboratory safety education and management.

Linking Big Five Personality Traits with Laboratory Safety Attitude among Freshmen of Chemistry-Related Majors

“…Therefore, individuals with high conscientiousness are self-disciplined, cautious, and organized and are inclined to comply with safety rules and engage in proactive behavior in laboratory safety. Our previous studies also have shown that freshmen have a certain sense of acceptance about laboratory safety and most of them are willing to engage in laboratory safety activities …”

An Assessment of Laboratory Safety Training in Undergraduate Education

“…Over the course of the next decade, it became clear that CHEM 701 students had highly variable safety training experiences as undergraduates. Although several surveys have been conducted to assess various elements of chemical safety knowledge of undergraduates, − we were unable to identify any studies that focused on students who planned to earn doctoral degrees in the chemical sciences.…”

“…This work sought to uncover how pervasively educational safety principles and cultural expectations have been incorporated into the academic chemistry curriculum. A number of surveys have been conducted worldwide to assess compliance with safety standards and measure students’ understanding of the rudimentary elements of safer laboratory behavior. − Most of these surveys reached similar conclusions: there is insufficient compliance with accepted best practices for safety in academic laboratories, as exemplified by the inconsistent use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and an indifferent attitude toward laboratory safety practices. For the most part, it remains unclear why poor attitudes exist and, in particular, where the failures are exacerbated.…”