Chemical Safety Knowledge Assessment of Academic Researchers from Brazil during Covid-19 Pandemic

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/ijosh.v13i2.48904

Keywords:

Chemical Hazards, Chemical Safety, Laboratory risk, Safety and Health

Abstract

Introduction: Laboratories are inextricably dangerous work environments, as fatal incidents are reported in both academic and non-academic environments worldwide, where poor safety culture has been recognized as the major accident contributor. Workers can be exposed to chemical, biological, physical, or radioactive hazards, in addition to musculoskeletal stresses. In Brazil, hundreds of thousands of workers are employed in laboratories, either in private or public institutions. Although laboratory safety can be governed by local, state, or federal regulations, learning how to identify common laboratory hazards is the first step to preventing accidents in the lab environment.

Methods: The study aimed to assess the degree level of safety culture in an academic population of research laboratories, located in the largest city in Brazil, and their compliance with occupational safety regulations during the COVID-19 outbreak. This study was carried out between October and November 2020. The results were obtained from the standardized questionnaire used to assess 98 researchers working in laboratories during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results: The majority of respondents (95%) reported being exposed to more than two risks, simultaneously.  About two-thirds (66%) of them were not fully aware of the laboratory's risk map. About half of the researchers (50%) were lacking in safety culture, and 57%and 43% were preoccupied with chemical and non-chemical hazards, respectively. Personal protective equipment (PPE) during laboratory work was used by most researchers, but 75% of researchers claim that security awareness learning should be a high priority for admission to laboratories. About 39% of researchers agreed that awareness of security must be improved in their laboratories

Conclusion: The survey proves the lack of information and attitudes about chemical safety, especially among less experienced researchers, even if they use personal protective equipment when necessary.

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Author Biographies

Walter dos Reis Pedreira Filho, Ministry of Labor and Social Security. Rua Capote Valente, 710, Pinheiros, São Paulo, Brazil

Jorge Duprat Figueiredo Foundation for Occupational Safety and Medicine, Ministry of Labor and Social Security. Rua Capote Valente, 710, Pinheiros, São Paulo, Brazil, 05409-002 (Fundação Jorge Duprat Figueiredo de Segurança e Medicina do Trabalho, Ministério do Trabalho e Previdência Social)

E-mail: walter.pedreira@fundacentro.gov.br

Julia Sapienza Passos, University of São Paulo. Avenida Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1524, Butantã, São Paulo, Brazil, 05508-000, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

PhD Student, Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo. Avenida Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1524, Butantã, São Paulo, Brazil, 05508-000, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

E-mail: julia.sapienza.passos@usp.br

Nadia Ruscic, University of São Paulo. Avenida Lineu Prestes, 580, Butantã, São Paulo, Brazil

MSc, PhD student, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo. Avenida Lineu Prestes, 580, Butantã, São Paulo, Brazil, 05508-000.

E-mail: nadia_13@usp.br

Maria Luiza da Silva da Silva, University of São Paulo, Avenida Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1524, Butantã, São Paulo, Brazil

MSc, Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Avenida Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1524, Butantã, São Paulo, Brazil, 05508-000

Email: marialuizacdasilva@usp.br

Lucilena Rebelo Monteiro, Institute of Energy and Nuclear Research / National Commission of Nuclear Energy (IPEN). Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 2242 - Butantã, São Paulo, Brazil

MSc, Center for Chemistry and Environment, Institute of Energy and Nuclear Research / National Commission of Nuclear Energy (IPEN). Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 2242 - Butantã, São Paulo - SP, 05508-000, Brazil

E-mail: luciremo@uol.com.br

Soraia Katia Pereira Costa, University of São Paulo. Avenida Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1524, Butantã, São Paulo, Brazil

Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo. Avenida Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1524, Butantã, São Paulo, Brazil (Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas , Universidade de São Paulo) (Corresponding Author)

E-mail: skcosta@usp.br

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Published

2023-03-15

How to Cite

Pedreira Filho, W. dos R., Passos, J. S., Ruscic, N., da Silva, M. L. da S., Monteiro, L. R., & Costa, S. K. P. (2023). Chemical Safety Knowledge Assessment of Academic Researchers from Brazil during Covid-19 Pandemic. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, 13(2), 146–154. https://doi.org/10.3126/ijosh.v13i2.48904

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Original Articles

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