Sarcouncil Journal of Applied Sciences Aims & Scope

Abstract: Chemical laboratories and industrial process environments pose a high risk of accidents due to the continuous handling of hazardous materials, the use of complex equipment, and fluctuations in operational conditions. Despite existing safety regulations, standard operating procedures, and engineering controls, chemical accidents still occur in academic research laboratories and industrial settings. This critical review scrutinizes chemical laboratory and process safety through three interrelated perspectives: hazard identification, risk assessment, and the development of a safety culture. It draws on established literature and structured safety management frameworks, such as Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, and Risk Control (HIRARC). The review evaluates commonly used hazard identification approaches, such as task-based analyses, inspections, checklists, and chemical hazard reviews, emphasizing their effectiveness and limitations in capturing non-routine, dynamic, and cumulative risks. Qualitative, semi-quantitative, and quantitative risk assessment techniques are examined with respect to their practicality, subjectivity, and reliability in both research and industrial contexts. The discussion highlights safety culture as an important factor in determining the long-term effectiveness of safety systems. Leadership commitment, training, communication, and worker engagement have been critically evaluated and identified as significant factors influencing safe behaviour and risk perception. By comparing academic and industrial environments, the review highlights persistent gaps. It concludes that, for sustainable chemical safety, integrating systematic risk management frameworks with a strong, context-sensitive safety culture grounded in continuous learning and shared responsibility is essential.