Development and application of a university laboratory safety culture index system based on the analytic hierarchy process–fuzzy comprehensive evaluation approach

<i>Objectives</i>. This study aimed to construct a theoretic framework for evaluation of the occupational safety and health culture in university laboratories, and develop an evaluation index system by applying the analytic hierarchy process in combination with fuzzy comprehensive evaluation (AHP-FCE). <i>Methods</i>. A theoretic framework was developed based on the literature review of 69 publications and expert consultation. The AHP method was applied to construct an index system with indicators for the safety culture of university laboratories, and the criteria weights were determined. The FCE method was applied to construct an evaluation model for calculation of the membership degree of each indicator and the corresponding evaluation value using YAAHP. <i>Results</i>. The '1-3-10-33' hierarchical index system was established in this study. The pilot evaluation revealed that safety culture in the study university belonged to the proactive stage with a comprehensive score of 3.9984. Low scores were recorded for four key indicators, i.e., combating deviance (3.5000), incident reporting (3.4000), incentive methods (3.4000), and matching power and responsibility (3.5000). <i>Conclusion</i>. The novel findings shed lights on the continuous monitoring and evaluation of occupational health and safety, and inform policy and practice to improve safety culture in university laboratories in China.