This project's goal was to investigate how access to improved chemical information can increase the awareness and understanding of chemical hazards and the effectiveness of chemical management in university research laboratories.I conducted a study using interviews, hypothetical problem sets and observations to document subjects' experience with and reactions to chemical information presented on several websites to determine the embeddedness of the information. I recruited both graduate students and laboratory technicians who handle chemicals at two major research universities in Massachusetts.This study's three components were 1. Design an exercise to evaluate users' experience with seven web-based sources of chemical hazard information. 2. Evaluate the embeddedness of the information obtained; and 3. Observe how the searches were conducted.The research provided insight into the benefits of enhanced chemical safety information for students and lab workers, and has substantial implications for occupational safety and health profession and work environment policy makers.

Using transparency to increase awareness of chemical hazards in university laboratories: Evaluation of web-based resources

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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