Baseline survey of academic chemical safety information practices

In the spring of 2017, the American Chemical Society (ACS) Divisions of Chemical Information (CINF) and Chemical Health and Safety (CHAS) partnered to conduct a survey of academic research chemists to understand their use of chemical safety information as they conduct risk assessments for laboratory work. This survey, funded by an ACS Innovative Project Grant, focused on three areas, addressing Information Practices, Risk Assessment Practices and Lessons Learned Practices. The survey received 238 responses and the reported demographics reflected the general ACS membership in terms of chemical fields. Half of the respondents have PhDs and half have worked in labs for 10 years or more. This article summarizes the results from this initial survey and identifies opportunities for improving support services from Environmental Health and Safety staff and Chemical Information specialists for conducting laboratory risk assessments.