The Chemical Safety Board (CSB), who responds to only the most serious chemical related accidents, has reported 120 laboratory accidents resulting in 87 evacuations, 96 serious injuries and three deaths since 2001 (Mulcahy, Young, Gibson, Hildreth, Ashbrook, Izzo & Backus, 2012). Every year thousands of students and faculty working in research laboratories experience the pain and suffering of minor accidents, injuries and illnesses. Hundreds suffer serious injuries and on average one researcher dies every other year (CSB, 2010). These accidents have led to a general increase in safety awareness resulting in an interest in improving the culture of safety in the research laboratory (B).
“He who does not ruin his health by his studies, will not …show more content…
These reports look at the larger spectrum from top administrator to the newest graduate student. Their goal is to create an environment where all the resources are provided for safe behavior and safe behaviors are expected and rewarded. The overall culture of safety is a means to facilitate and encourage the actual safe behaviors occurring in the research laboratory. The National Research Council’s publication, ‘Prudent Practices in the Laboratory’ inferred that safe behaviors may be spatially divided into two basic themes; 1) anticipation or planning (Planning); where there exists a culture of habitual hazard analysis and risk assessment. Analysis of hazards and assessment of risks should be a continual process and completed prior to starting any new or modified experiment. Assessments should be conducted continuously during to account for new data or any modifications to the research. 2) Practices and reactions to unforeseen problems (Practice); day to day safety protocols use first, engineering controls, second, safe practices and third, personally protective equipment. The National Research Council’s publication, ‘Safe Science’ suggested that a third theme, negligence or deferring responsibility for safety (Negligence), may also be useful in predicting safe behaviors. Negligence includes the all too common practice of cutting corners or placing research above personal safety. Negligence includes any intentional nonconformance or avoidance of safety
“He who does not ruin his health by his studies, will not …show more content…
These reports look at the larger spectrum from top administrator to the newest graduate student. Their goal is to create an environment where all the resources are provided for safe behavior and safe behaviors are expected and rewarded. The overall culture of safety is a means to facilitate and encourage the actual safe behaviors occurring in the research laboratory. The National Research Council’s publication, ‘Prudent Practices in the Laboratory’ inferred that safe behaviors may be spatially divided into two basic themes; 1) anticipation or planning (Planning); where there exists a culture of habitual hazard analysis and risk assessment. Analysis of hazards and assessment of risks should be a continual process and completed prior to starting any new or modified experiment. Assessments should be conducted continuously during to account for new data or any modifications to the research. 2) Practices and reactions to unforeseen problems (Practice); day to day safety protocols use first, engineering controls, second, safe practices and third, personally protective equipment. The National Research Council’s publication, ‘Safe Science’ suggested that a third theme, negligence or deferring responsibility for safety (Negligence), may also be useful in predicting safe behaviors. Negligence includes the all too common practice of cutting corners or placing research above personal safety. Negligence includes any intentional nonconformance or avoidance of safety