Assessment of Safety Culture in University Chemistry Departments in South East Nigeria

This study assessed safety culture in Chemistry departments of universities in the South East geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Laboratory safety culture encompasses the shared values, attitudes, and practices that collectively determine the degree to which safety is prioritised within a scientific learning community, and its state in Nigerian university Chemistry settings remains inadequately examined. A descriptive survey design was adopted. The sample comprised 180 undergraduate Chemistry students, 60 postgraduate students, and 40 academic and technical staff from five universities across Anambra, Enugu, Imo, Abia, and Ebonyi States. A Safety Culture Assessment Scale validated by occupational health and chemistry education experts with a reliability of 0.84 was administered. Descriptive statistics and independent samples t-test were used for analysis. Results indicated a generally moderate safety culture, with students demonstrating reasonable awareness of laboratory rules but inconsistent compliance. Academic staff rated safety culture significantly higher than students, suggesting a perception gap. Inadequate provision of personal protective equipment, irregular safety drills, and absence of formal safety training for new students were identified as priority improvement areas. Recommendations included mandatory laboratory safety orientation for all incoming chemistry students, quarterly safety audits, and investment in standard protective equipment and emergency response infrastructure. Keywords: safety culture, Chemistry laboratories, universities, South East Nigeria, laboratory management.