Incorporating Identity Safety into the Laboratory Safety Culture

Abstract

Chemistry practitioners, particularly in educational settings, often associate building strong safety cultures with compliance or regulatory requirements around laboratory glassware, equipment, flammable and incompatible materials, signage, container labels, and safety data sheets. Other fields of science also emphasize biohazardous materials, animal handling, human subject, and ergonomics. However, little attention in the literature has gone toward describing the interpersonal interactions and behaviors affecting the physical and emotional safety and wellbeing of laboratory trainees and personnel from marginalized backgrounds. This work unifies known approaches of building strong safety cultures and principles for preventing identity cues that threaten safety within a laboratory environment. Specifically, this work uses the four principles of chemical safety RAMP model as a conceptual framework for integrating identity safety within the laboratory safety culture.

Toward Improved Safety Culture in Academic and Industrial Chemical Laboratories: An Assessment and Recommendation of Best Practices

“… There should be a thorough review process for new or modified experimental setups which involves key lab safety leadership and appropriate documentation. Researchers are encouraged to implement some form of risk assessment and hazard evaluation for new or modified experimental protocols. ,− To supplement traditional methods for hazard evaluation and risk assessment, researchers may consider layer of protection analysis , to make informed decisions on adequacy of existing layers of protection during an imagined incident scenario. Group meetings should include regular safety-related discussions including discussions on recent lab/school/external safety incidents and learnings Chemicals should be properly tracked using a frequently updated chemical inventory.…”

“… A formal and easily accessible system for reporting and documenting safety incidents should be instituted to communicate safety incidents including near-misses. A formal system to report and disseminate lab safety incidents including near misses has been shown to have a positive effect on safety culture. − ,, Communication of safety incidents and recommendations to the broader research community also serve as effective methods to ensure that these incidents are prevented in other research groups and thus should be continually encouraged. ,,,,,,− Special initiatives and new training opportunities should be encouraged to re-enforce the safety culture, and they should be continually implemented at all levels from the research group level to the university level and beyond. These safety initiatives serve not only to ensure mere compliance in lab safety practices, but also to promote stronger lab safety culture .…”

“…A formal and easily accessible system for reporting and documenting safety incidents should be instituted to communicate safety incidents including near-misses. A formal system to report and disseminate lab safety incidents including near misses has been shown to have a positive effect on safety culture. − ,, Communication of safety incidents and recommendations to the broader research community also serve as effective methods to ensure that these incidents are prevented in other research groups and thus should be continually encouraged. ,,,,,,− …”

“…A formal system to report and disseminate lab safety incidents including near misses has been shown to have a positive effect on safety culture. [41][42][43][44][45]47,59 Communication of safety incidents and recommendations to the broader research community also serve as effective methods to ensure that these incidents are prevented in other research groups and thus should be continually encouraged. 10,11,18,41,48,49,68−71 ix.…”

Reducing Risk: Strategies to Advance Laboratory Safety through Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect

“…The ACS has adopted the RAMP organizing principle for managing risks in laboratories: “Recognize hazards, Assess risks, Minimize risks, and Prepare for emergencies” . Recognizing hazards (threats) which hinder open conversation and engagement in teaching, research, and industrial laboratory environments is crucial for developing a robust laboratory safety culture . Historically excluded cohorts disproportionally face unique DEIR threats that impact laboratory safety due to reduced access to personal and professional agency, reduced opportunities for communication, and less access to professional networks of support. , Social identities include marginalized and historically excluded demographic populations including, but not limited to, racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, religious, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, or professional (degrees, certifications, or other credentials).…”