Statistical Analysis and Countermeasures for Laboratory Safety Accidents in Universities and Research Institutes

This study conducts a statistical analysis of laboratory safety accidents in recent years, examining their temporal distribution, regional characteristics, types, and causes, and proposes corresponding countermeasures and recommendations. The results show that a total of 137 laboratory safety accidents occurred from 2004 to 2024, causing 177 injuries and 19 fatalities. The number of accidents remained at a relatively high level from 2004 to 2015, and showed a fluctuating but generally decreasing trend after 2016. Accidents were concentrated in March, April, June, August, and October through December, with a high number of casualties. The peak period for accidents was between 8:01 and 16:00, accounting for 60.19% of the total accidents. Beijing, Shanghai, and Jiangsu recorded the highest number of safety accidents. Chemistry laboratories in universities and research institutes had the highest accident rate among all laboratory types, with fires and explosions being particularly frequent. The most common cause of accidents was improper or non-compliant human operation. Based on the accident analysis results, countermeasures and recommendations for reducing laboratory safety accidents in universities and research institutes are proposed from four perspectives: the construction of a laboratory safety management system, hazardous chemical management, safety training, and the establishment of an emergency prevention system.