The Culture of Laboratory Safety in Newly Founded Academic Institutions: A Case Study Analysis for Strategic Decision Making

Newly established academic chemistry departments face unique challenges in cultivating a robust safety culture, particularly in chemical laboratories where institutional memory and structured protocols may be lacking. This study investigates the safety attitudes, practices, and risk perceptions of laboratory personnel at a newly founded Department of Chemistry in Greece. Using a structured questionnaire and statistical analysis, the research explores satisfaction with personal protective equipment (PPE), emergency preparedness, training frequency, and overall safety management. Results reveal high satisfaction with PPE availability but significant dissatisfaction with emergency response measures and training protocols. The findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions, including more frequent safety drills and the development of centralized safety management systems. By analyzing the intersection of demographic factors and safety perceptions, this study provides actionable insights for improving safety standards in early-stage academic institutions and highlights the importance of embedding safety education in institutional culture from the outset.