Social and organizational factors affecting biosafety compliance in animal facilities: An integrative analysis of safety rules within the system

摘要

Non-compliance with safety rules is a significant cause of accidents. Knowledge of potential reasons for non-compliance is important for those designing safety rules. Non-compliance with rules in biosafety animal facilities potentially carries a high risk of harm for the personnel involved, as well as for uninvolved humans and animals, and the environment. While studies on factors affecting non-compliance exist in other high-risk sectors, studies on this topic in biosafety animal facilities are rare. Here, we used a multi-method approach to identify rule compliance and non-compliance in Swiss academic and state-run experimental laboratory animal facilities of biosafety levels 2-3. The aim of this study was to gather information about factors that hinder and facilitate biosafety rule compliance in such facilities. Compliance level and safety climate were described as good in the facilities analysed, and only a few problems with rules or system design that might have the potential to decrease safety were identified. Factors perceived to increase compliance were management commitment, adequate equipment, risk awareness, and practical training. Nevertheless, a potential to improve the, predominantly participative, rule design process and communication procedures was identified. Many facilities appeared to have conflicting goals or insufficient communication between facility staff and facility users (scientists) that were related to several rule violations with potentially severe consequences. Improved inter-group communication and inclusive training could help increase mutual understanding of the safety and work needs of both groups and might improve transparency of the work system for technicians.