Should laboratory safety culture influence which university I choose?
Yes. Especially in programs involving substantial laboratory or research work, the safety culture of the laboratories and practical courses should be an important factor in choosing a university. Check the safety training, management of protective equipment and facilities, ease of reporting hazards or asking for help, faculty supervision, and responses to incidents. Compare these points with curriculum and advising arrangements and make an overall decision rather than relying on safety culture alone.
Key points
- Check the content of safety training, the condition of protective equipment and facilities, and whether experimental procedures are clear.
- Look for an environment where students can report incidents or near misses, ask questions, and stop work when they feel unsafe.
- Ask about supervision by faculty or technical staff and the procedures for contacting people and responding in an emergency.
- Use official information and, where possible, visits or questions to faculty and current students; compare safety with your other university-selection priorities.
Things to check
- Safety culture and its operation can differ not only between universities but also by faculty, program, laboratory, and academic year, so verify specific details in the prospective university’s official information.