Construction and practice of an experimental project-driven total-factor collaborative safety access mechanism for university laboratories

University laboratories serve as the core carriers for scientific innovation and talent cultivation; however, they face significant safety challenges due to the complex nature of research and the high mobility of personnel. According to a statistical analysis of 137 laboratory safety accidents at Chinese universities and research institutes between 2004 and 2024, 62.04% of incidents stemmed from improper personnel operations. Additionally, over 80% involved a “lack of factor collaboration,” in which the failure to coordinate multiple safety elements expanded the scope of harm. Traditional management models often suffer from “single-point fragmented control,” in which personnel, hazardous materials, environmental conditions, and experimental projects are managed in isolation. This lack of synergy cannot address the dynamic, multidisciplinary nature of modern university research; therefore, a systematic governance mechanism is urgently required. This study constructs a “total-factor collaborative safety access mechanism” that integrates the social amplification of risk framework and synergistic theory to transform laboratory safety management from passive, fragmented control to active, systematic governance.

Based on the “order parameter” principle of synergistic and the environment, health, and safety integration model, this study constructs a closed-loop linkage mechanism characterized by “perception–assessment–linkage–feedback.” The core innovation lies in treating the “experimental project” as the system's critical “order parameter.” The mechanism drives the precise adaptation of three other key access elements: personnel, items, and the environment. First, to ensure personnel access, a “three-level classification–dynamic adaptation” training system was developed. Based on the specific project's risk level, personnel undergo stratified training (university, college, and laboratory levels). A dynamic reverification mechanism ensures that operator qualifications align with changing project risks. Second, for item access, a “full lifecycle–multidimensional tracing” system was implemented. RFID and QR code technologies were used to manage hazardous chemicals and equipment from procurement to disposal, ensuring strict compliance with project needs. Third, for environmental access, laboratories were classified into five categories (e.g., chemical, biological, and mechanical) with a “planning–auditing–acceptance” control flow to ensure that physical conditions meet the safety requirements of the proposed projects. Finally, to assess overall project access, a quantitative risk assessment system comprising 4 primary and 12 secondary indicators was established. An information platform serves as the technical backbone, enabling real-time data sharing and automatically triggering safety protocols when project parameters change.

The proposed mechanism was validated through practical application at Shandong University of Science and Technology. A specific case study involved the “nano-sulfide synthesis experiment” at the College of Chemical Engineering in September 2024. Due to a change in the experimental scheme involving the addition of hydrogen sulfide gas, the project's risk level rose from “low risk” to “high risk.” The collaborative mechanism immediately triggered a dynamic reverification process for the 12 original operators. The assessment included a theoretical evaluation (40% weight) and practical operation (60% weight), focusing on toxic gas handling and emergency response to leaks. The results showed that 11 operators passed the reverification; however, 1 operator failed the practical test for failing to check the air-tightness of the positive-pressure air breathing apparatus before use. Consequently, the system automatically suspended this operator's laboratory access authority. The operator was required to complete 30 h of specialized remedial training and pass a secondary assessment to regain access. This case demonstrated the mechanism's ability to identify specific unsafe behaviors and dynamically manage risks.

The “total-factor collaborative safety access mechanism” successfully overcomes the limitations of traditional siloed management by using the experimental project as the driving force for systemic safety. By integrating personnel, items, and environmental factors into a cohesive, project-driven framework, the mechanism achieves precise risk control and dynamic adaptation. Practical application proves that this approach effectively shifts safety management from “passive response after accidents” to “active defense before risks.” This study provides a replicable and scalable paradigm for safety governance in multidisciplinary comprehensive universities, particularly those with intensive, high-risk experimental activities in fields such as chemistry and biology.