Application of process safety management principles to laboratory safety management

Management of teaching and research laboratories at the university becomes increasingly complex when they become hybrid laboratories that function as both concurrently. To ensure the safety of people and assets, selected process safety management elements were adopted to establish a robust approach to laboratory safety management. These elements were adapted to meet the requirements of a regularly changing work environment (i.e., research activities) and laboratory users (i.e., undergraduates and researchers). The application focused on the user as well as technical aspects, ranging from employee participation to management of change. The fundamental objective was to create and sustain a laboratory safety culture that protects all laboratory users and minimizes asset damage.

Automated summary

Managing teaching and research laboratories at universities is becoming increasingly complex, especially when they serve as hybrid laboratories that serve both functions simultaneously. To ensure safety and security, selected elements of process safety management were adopted to establish a strong approach to laboratory safety management. These elements were customized to meet the changing requirements of research activities and laboratory users, including undergraduates and researchers. The focus was on both user and technical aspects, covering employee participation and change management. The main objective was to cultivate and maintain a laboratory safety culture that safeguards all users and minimizes damage to assets.