Awareness of Hazards by Principal Investigators in University-Affiliated Hospital Research Laboratories: A Case Study

Abstract

Abstract There is little information regarding the status of occupational health and safety activity in university teaching hospital-affiliated laboratories. A two-phase study of occupational health and safety in the research laboratories of St. Michael's Hospital was carried out. The objectives of the study were, first, to enquire into principal investigators' (PIs') perception of both occupational health and safety risks and the policies in place to manage these risks, and second, to conduct an on-site audit of the research laboratories to determine the actual hazards present and the policies and procedures in place to address the hazards. Policies and procedures pertain to those that are either internally developed or externally legislated. A questionnaire completed by the PIs obtained information about their understanding of occupational hazards in their laboratories and the related policies and procedures. Following this, an on-site audit was conducted. The comparison of the PI questionnaire and the ...