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Table 4 Respondents’ attitudes towards use of hazardous chemicals

From: Chemical risk and safety awareness, perception, and practices among research laboratories workers in Italy

ATTITUDES

N (%)

N (%)

N (%)

 

Unsafe

(score 1–4)

Somewhat safe

(score 5–7)

Safe

(score 8–10)

Perception of a safe workplace a

51 (21.5)

90 (38)

96 (40.5)

Factors contributing to risk of injury b:

Not much

(score 1–4)

Enough

(score 5–7)

Much

(score 8–10)

high workload

25 (10.6)

67 (28.2)

145 (61.2)

inexperience

11 (4.6)

34 (14.4)

192 (81)

inadequate training in safe handling of chemicals

6 (2.5)

39 (16.5)

192 (81)

Perception of having received an adequate training regarding c:

Inadequate

(score 1–2)

Just adequate

(score 3)

Totally adequate

(score 4–5)

interpretation of the safety data sheet

46 (19.4)

54 (22.8)

137 (57.8)

management of accidents and first aid

57 (24)

76 (32.1)

104 (43.9)

decontamination procedures in case of accidental spillage of hazardous chemicals

73 (30.8)

82 (34.6)

82 (34.6)

use of PPE

32 (13.5)

64 (27)

141 (59.5)

Perception of exposure tod:

Not exposed

(score 1–2)

Moderately exposed

(score 3)

Very exposed (score 4–5)

biological risk

94 (39.7)

49 (20.6)

94 (39.7)

chemical risk

38 (16)

70 (29.6)

129 (54.4)

ionizing radiations risk

178 (75.1)

40 (16.9)

19 (8)

environmental risk

136 (57.4)

49 (20.7)

52 (21.9)

work-related stress risk, ergonomic factors risk

73 (30.8)

59 (24.9)

105 (44.3)

Perception of safety related to occupational activity and colleagues: 

Strongly disagree or Disagree

Uncertain

Strongly agree or Agree

Exposure to cancerogenic chemicals is extremely low

123 (51.9)

31 (13.1)

83 (35)

Safety measures protect from unwanted effects related to exposure to chemicals

80 (33.7)

30 (12.7)

127 (53.6)

Proper interpretation of label of all hazardous chemicals can prevent laboratory injuries

4 (1.7)

9 (3.8)

224 (94.5)

Proper PPE are available

52 (21.9)

40 (16.9)

145 (61.2)

My laboratory colleagues handle chemicals following safety procedures

52 (21.9)

44 (18.6)

141 (59.5)

  1. a 10-point Likert-type scale ranging from 1 for “totally unsafe” to 10 “totally safe”
  2. b10-point Likert-type scale ranging from 1 for “not much” to 10 “very much”
  3. c 5-point Likert-type scale ranging from 1 for “not at all adequate” to 5 for “completely adequate”
  4. d 5-point Likert-type scale ranging from 1 for “not at all exposed” to 5 for “very much exposed”