Abstract:

Since 2000 at least 65 fatal research laboratories accidents have been documented, severely injuring and killing almost 100 people. These accidents underscore the significance of safety concerns in sites where procedures are yet to be calibrated and processes aren’t structured as they tend to be in industry. While researchers are expected to prioritize safety, they also enjoy academic autonomy, which allows them to pursue innovative ideas, engage in experimentation, and explore unconventional avenues without external constraints. It is often assumed that safety cannot be integrated with other priorities, such as productivity or innovation, which are crucial performance in many organizations, because when safety is not the primary focus, it tends to be overshadowed by the competing demands that organizations face. Thus, traditionally, when it comes to safety, organizations are expected to focus on a single priority. The Current research aims to contribute to workplace safety theory by examining the integration of safety and other priorities in research laboratories. It discusses shifting from the “safety first” approach to viewing safety as a core priority and integrating it with other essential priorities. We will discuss our conclusions based on the data we collected.