Strengthening safety education of chemistry undergraduates

Abstract

Safety in the workplace is critical for the welfare of the workforce and the organization. Employees, including chemists, must have knowledge and skills in safety, and a strong safety ethic to work in a safe manner. Many of today's chemistry undergraduates have not been fully prepared with appropriate attitude, skill, and knowledge in safety for jobs in industry, government, other public sectors, or for continuing education in academia. This paper proposes strengthening the undergraduate curriculum so that every new chemistry undergraduate will have a minimum competency in safety at the end of their four-year degree program in chemistry. All undergraduates should be able to recognize hazards in the laboratory, assess the risks of those hazards, and develop and implement a plan to manage, control or minimize the risks. Topics are suggested for each year of a four-year chemistry program to develop this competency. It is suggested that Committee for Professional Training strengthen their evaluation of American Chemical Society (ACS)-approved Chemistry Departments with accountability for teaching safety. Evaluation of this competency is suggested for ACS Certification.