ISBN 978-0-8412-2817-7

The proper attitude for safety is reflected in the “Safety Ethic”—value safety, work safely, prevent at-risk behavior, promote safety,and accept responsibility for safety. 39• Value safety: Safety is an integral part of what one does, itsautomatic, and it does not change its priorities—it is neverquestioned and never compromised.• Work safely: One continues to learn about safety, learns torecognize hazards, assesses the risks of hazards, managesthe risks of hazards, and prepares to handle emergencies.Safety should be afocus for all students–chemistry majors aswell as nonchemistrymajors—and allchemistry-basedscience courses.• Prevent at-risk behavior: One does not cut corners or bypass safety measures in thelaboratory and shares this information with others, as needed.• Promote safety: One encourages and acknowledges others for working safely.• Accept responsibility for safety: One takes steps to work safely, setting a positive examplefor others, and being accountable for safety.Teaching safety continuously over the entire undergraduate four-year experience can build apositive attitude and a strong safety ethic among students. The University of Wittenberg is usingthis approach. Another approach to positive attitudes and safety ethics found in a strong safetyculture may be the formation of safety teams in undergraduate chemistry courses as used at theSeattle University in Washington and the University of California, Merced, and described byAlaimo, Langenhan, Tanner, and Ferrenberg. 24Recommendations Concerning Safety Attitudes, SafetyAwareneSS, and Safety EthiCS7. Build awareness and caring for safety by emphasizing safety throughout the chemistrycurricula.8. Include safety education and training (for undergraduate students, graduate students, andpostdoctoral scholars participating in proposed research) in research grant proposals, andoversight of research for safety.9. Adopt a personal credo: the “Safety Ethic”—value safety, work safely, prevent at-riskbehavior, promote safety, and accept responsibility for safety.29