Measuring University Students’ Safety Perception, Awareness and Attitude in Chemical Teaching Laboratory

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the laboratory safety perception, awareness and attitude of undergraduates toward the chemistry teaching laboratory by means of a self-administered questionnaire. The survey contains a sample size of 959 undergraduates in Tianjin University of Technology involving four schools. Instrument reliability and validity are also tested. The results show that most of the students have a more positive laboratory environmental perception and safety awareness. However, the laboratory safety attitude needs improvement. In addition, there is a significant difference for both gender and school. This result could lead to the improvement of the subsequent safety education.

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

“…Meanwhile, Lu et al point out that safety knowledge, motivation, and engagement can directly influence safety behavior . In our previous work, we examined students’ safety awareness and attitude, and found that about 20% of students still think it is right, for example, that “Safety education is just a routine procedure”, “Laboratory safety is the business of teacher” . We also found that the learning chemistry motivation influenced the students’ laboratory attitude …”

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.…”

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

“…In our previous study, much attention has been paid to the laboratory safety awareness and attitude of undergraduates, especially freshmen. 36 Freshmen in chemistry-related majors come from all over the country with a variety of backgrounds. How best to implement impactful safety education and training for freshmen in college and university requires further study and practice.…”

“…In our previous study, much attention has been paid to the laboratory safety awareness and attitude of undergraduates, especially freshmen . Freshmen in chemistry-related majors come from all over the country with a variety of backgrounds.…”