Safety in Medical Laboratories: Perception and Practice of University Students and Laboratory Workers

Abstract

Background: Several safety-related accidents occur in the laboratories because of insufficient regulations, inappropriate implementation of safety measures, or unawareness attitude and practices toward safety precautions. Thus, establishment of efficient regulations and safe habits toward workplace safety is crucial to prevent or minimize such accidents. Here we investigate the levels of laboratory safety awareness among undergraduate medical science students and laboratory workers at major hospitals in Taif, Saudi Arabia. Methods: An anonymous cross-sectional survey was conducted on a random sample of 185 students and workers. The survey was categorized into five sections: (1) variable demographic items, (2) orientation around the warning signage of medical laboratory picograms, (3) assess participants' attitudes toward laboratory safety, (4) assess participants' safety awareness and practices in medical laboratories, and (5) assess participants' knowledge in dealing with emergency equipment and related procedures. Results: Data analyses indicate that workers are generally more aware of the key aspects of laboratory safety. Although students demonstrated moderate to good knowledge of major laboratory signage, there are some areas of deficiency, particularly regarding the use of fire extinguishers. Of interest is that female students are more familiar with laboratory signage than male students, although general laboratory safety awareness among students is poor. Students also showed poor awareness of certain critical aspects of safety practices and emergency procedures. Conclusion: The study data reveal inadequate awareness and knowledge of certain laboratory safety aspects among undergraduate students. Therefore, academic institutions should introduce effective safety regulations, education, and training to improve student safety.

Determination of University Students’ Laboratory Safety Awareness: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…The Office of the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China published a corresponding document for students’ laboratory emergency equipment and procedures in 2021, which specifies a requirement for university administrators to improve students’ laboratory emergency response capabilities. Therefore, it is urgent to establish a training course on laboratory emergency equipment and procedures; in addition, the course should be tailored to students with different majors, and the course content should include live exercises or simulations and encourage students to participate in them, in line with the recommendations by Ahmed Abu-Siniyeh . Additionally, these training courses should be mandatory, which is consistent with the strategies adopted by several top American universities. ,, …”

“…Therefore, it is urgent to establish a training course on laboratory emergency equipment and procedures; in addition, the course should be tailored to students with different majors, and the course content should include live exercises or simulations and encourage students to participate in them, in line with the recommendations by Ahmed Abu-Siniyeh. 66 Additionally, these training courses should be mandatory, which is consistent with the strategies adopted by several top American universities. 62,67,68…”

Safety culture and perception of warning signs of chemical hazards among hospital cleaning workers: a cross-sectional study

“…Among the hospitals under study, hospitals A and C had the highest and lowest levels of correct perception of GHS signs, respectively, due to reasons such as people's reluctance to learn GHS signs, lack of necessary training, or incomplete and insufficient training in this field among people. Past studies have proven a strong correlation between a lack of knowledge and training in safety signs and labeling and chemical accidents [ 30 , 36 – 38 ].…”

Biosafety knowledge and perception among medical laboratory students: a cross-sectional study at a medical university in Vietnam

“…Therefore, students undertaking such specialties are in direct contact with various hazards, which increases the likelihood of exposure to chemicals or infectious agents, including blood-borne infections, if substantial safety measures are not accurately followed. 3 Biosafety is essential knowledge and skills that should be provided to medical students to learn and become familiar with the professional work.…”