Safety and Perceptions of Risk in the Handling of Laboratory Chemicals in a Biological Research Community

Abstract

Plant & Food Research (PFR) is a biologically orientated multi-disciplinary research institute with the goal of improving the value of New Zealand’s horticultural products. Within PFR, the practice of chemistry is both widespread and the focus of specialist chemists. To improve safety in the handling of laboratory chemicals, we sought to understand the state of chemical practice and knowledge, the awareness of risk, and how chemical knowledge was acquired and authenticated. A collaborative inquiry approach was chosen so that the social interactions and practice of the research process would itself serve to exchange knowledge and improve communication and laboratory safety. A “survey─small group meeting” model for interaction with users of chemicals was developed and rolled out across PFR. Survey responses were received from 346 respondents who reported their usage of laboratory chemicals, and this was followed by interactive small group meetings with 38 biology-focused research teams located across 12 sites. While the survey provided a generally positive view of practice and perceptions of risk, the team visits provided more site-specific, granular, and informative insights into the handling of chemicals and functioning of laboratories. Textual analysis of contemporaneous notes identified six interconnecting themes associated with risk in the handling of chemicals: lack of knowledge resulting in uncertainty and unrecognized risks; practical difficulties in effecting structural changes to laboratories; poor engagement by a few key individuals; feelings of lack of support by safety managers; the presence of students, visitors, and new graduates needing extensive training; and work pressures resulting in poor decision-making. This research demonstrates the use of collaborative inquiry to provide the granular knowledge needed to improve safety in handling chemicals in biological laboratories.