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Examination of the Occupational Health and Safety Initiatives Available within the Chemistry Departments of Australian Universities

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Veronica Goodwin , Deirdre Cobbin and Peter Logan

Department of Health Sciences, Science Education Unit, Faculty of Science, University of Technology, Sydney P.O. Box 123, Broadway NSW 2007, Australia

J. Chem. Educ., 1999, 76 (9), p 1226

DOI: 10.1021/ed076p1226

Publication Date (Web): September 1, 1999

Section:

History, Education, and Documentation

Abstract

This paper reports the findings of a survey that was conducted in 1996 of all Australian university chemistry departments. Thirty-one of the 33 chemistry departments provided input to the project. The aims were twofold: first, to ascertain how different departments approach the task of occupational health and safety (OHS) education and training for students and staff; and second, to produce a resource document that describes the techniques used by the various departments. A key issue identified in the study is the importance of ensuring that academic staff are kept up to date on all relevant aspects of OHS and laboratory safety. This is crucial because teaching staff are responsible for instructing their undergraduate and postgraduate students in OHS knowledge and practice. In addition, the study found that adequate funding and departmental commitment are necessary for the success of OHS and laboratory safety programs. The resource document should assist in promoting quality OHS knowledge and awareness in the academic chemistry laboratory, since it will provide chemistry departments with a wide range of OHS educational initiatives from which they can select the most appropriate for their own needs.