Safety accidents in university labs increase... Prevention-oriented measures are needed

Despite the decrease in research personnel at domestic universities, laboratory safety accidents have actually increased.

According to data received from the Ministry of Science and ICT by Rep. Kim Hyun of the Democratic Party of Korea, a member of the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information, Broadcasting and Communications Committee, on the 23rd, safety accidents that occurred in domestic university laboratories increased by 35.7% from 196 in 2022 to 266 in 2025.

In particular, the increase in accidents at 2- to 3-year universities was notable.

Laboratory safety accidents occurring at these universities surged 106.9% from 29 in 2022 to 60 in 2025.

By type, as of last year, cutting and stabbing accidents were the most common, accounting for 112 cases, or about 42.1% of all accidents.

Burns and low-temperature injuries followed with 45 cases (16.9%), and chemical exposure and contact with 32 cases (12.0%).

During the same period, the number of people engaged in research activities at universities decreased by approximately 7.3% from 992,568 to 920,388.

Although the number of research personnel decreased, accidents increased, and the number of accidents per 100,000 research workers increased by 46.3% in three years from 19.7 to 29.9.

Rep. Kim said, "The fact that accidents are increasing even as the number of research personnel is decreasing is a signal that the effectiveness of safety management in university labs must be closely examined. As accidents such as exposure to chemical substances are recurring, we must closely analyze the types and causes of accidents and prepare prevention-oriented measures."

He then emphasized, “We must strengthen the safety management system at university research sites and quickly make necessary institutional improvements so that students can focus on research without worrying about safety.”