Risk perception scale for laboratory safety: Development and validation

Abstract

Previous studies on risk perception (RP) related to laboratory safety have not fully considered the affective aspect of RP and lacked a comprehensive validation of reliability and validity. Accordingly, the present study addresses the needs of this research area with the development of a psychometrically reliable instrument for assessing laboratory workers' RP, namely, Risk Perception Scale for Laboratory Safety (RPSLS). Five hundred eighteen volunteer laboratory workers participated in the questionnaire survey. RPSLS consists of 24 items, with Cronbach's alpha values ranging from 0.945 to 0.953 and the intra-class correlation coefficient exceeding 0.9. Additionally, factor loadings and the average variance extracted (AVE) were above 0.70 and 0.5, respectively. The AVE square roots for four factors were above the construct correlations. These results demonstrated satisfactory reliability and discriminant and convergent validity, while acknowledging the moderate criterion-related validity. RPSLS was designed to measure four dimensions of RP: probability, severity, concern and unsafety. Negative correlations were found between the dimensions and laboratory workers engaging in risk-taking behaviour. RPSLS, as a reliable and valid tool, was established to evaluate laboratory workers' RP and is anticipated to support research on laboratory safety that considers workers' RP. RPSLS can be utilised as an assessment tool to identify laboratory workers likely to underestimate risks in hazardous experimental conditions. This insight can guide the development of targeted safety training programs, minimising unnecessary training effort and enhancing overall laboratory safety outcomes.