Chemical Safety Management in University Laboratories in Ondo State

University research and teaching laboratories are occupational environments with significant chemical hazard exposure potential for staff and students, necessitating robust chemical safety management systems. This study evaluated chemical safety management practices in science and engineering laboratories at universities in Ondo State, South West Nigeria. A mixed-methods evaluative design was employed, with 45 laboratory technologists and safety officers from three universities providing data through structured questionnaires, supplemented by on-site chemical safety audits using the ISO 31000-aligned chemical safety checklist. Results showed that chemical inventory documentation was complete and current in only 28.9 percent of laboratories. Safety Data Sheets were accessible in 37.8 percent of labs, and appropriate chemical storage segregation was observed in 42.2 percent. Fume hood functionality and regular maintenance were confirmed in only 46.7 percent of assessed laboratories. Spill response kits were present but untested in 62.2 percent of facilities. Only 31.1 percent of laboratory technologists had received formal chemical safety training within the previous two years. Chemical incident reporting was undertaken by only 17.8 percent of facilities. The study recommends the development and implementation of a comprehensive university chemical safety policy, mandatory laboratory safety officer certification, regular chemical safety inspections by institutional health and safety committees, and linkage with the Ondo State Environmental Protection Agency for external compliance audits. Keywords: chemical safety, university laboratories, hazardous substances, laboratory management, Ondo State.