Instructional laboratory personnel's views about practices of chemical safety and security: implications for professional learning and global sustainability

Abstract

Although chemical safety and security fall under chemical risk management, research has shown that knowledge about chemical safety is more prevalent at post-secondary institutions than chemical security knowledge. Historically, chemical safety has mainly focused on preventing laboratory accidents and health hazards. However, in response to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) launched by the United Nations in 2015, there have been calls to promote a sustainable chemistry education, research and development. This qualitative study aimed at exploring laboratory personnel's views of chemical safety and security as well as their daily safety and security practices employed in their chemistry laboratories. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews probing for the laboratory personnel's beliefs, knowledge, and understanding of chemical safety and security practices employed in their laboratories were conducted. Thematic analysis was used for data analysis. Findings revealed that laboratory personnel hold a strong understanding of chemical safety, with many participants demonstrating limited knowledge, or unfamiliarity with the term chemical security. However, both concepts are essential and should be mandatory to protect the health of students and staff. A critical absence of chemical inventory control systems across all surveyed laboratories was revealed, leaving the institution vulnerable to undetected internal theft and the diversion of high-risk precursors like acetic anhydride for illicit drug manufacturing. Exploring the laboratory personnel's views about chemical safety and security practices, elucidated the breadth and depth of their knowledge pertaining chemical safety and security as well as its impact on their daily laboratory practice. The views gathered have been found to be useful in informing and guiding the mandate of universities in equipping and improving the laboratory personnel's knowledge including awareness raising necessary to promote global sustainability.