Origami could improve health and safety say researchers

Scientists at Nottingham Trent University are investigating the benefits that origami – the ancient art of paper folding – could bring in helping to improve awareness of important health and safety procedures for the handling of hazardous chemicals.

According to statistics published by the HSE in 2008, accidents related to the handling of hazardous chemicals are ranked as one of the main causes of reported injuries in UK businesses. Research has shown that the high number of incidents are often attributed to a lack of understanding amongst employees of the rules and regulations for the 'Control of Substances Hazardous to Health' (COSHH).

In 2005 Nottingham Trent University scientists devised a method of using origami models to help explain chemical bonds to school pupils. PhD researcher Laura Newton has now developed this method to produce a range of origami kits to explain information relating to COSHH.

Initial trials have been carried out which require the testers to follow instructions to fold six origami 'modules' to create a cube. If constructed correctly, each side of the cube depicts a hazard warning, an example of a corresponding chemical and an example of an everyday application of that chemical. The feedback so far has suggested that the origami kits do help to improve awareness and the understanding of COSHH, according to the researchers.

Newton's findings have since been published as an article in the Journal of Chemical Health and Safety and she now hopes to make the educational origami kits available as a national training resource for businesses throughout the UK.

Newton said: "I think the origami kits have real potential. They display really important information in an innovative way. Testing is still in its early stages but it seems by getting people to engage in the process in this way means they are more likely to understand COSHH."

Dr James Davis from Nottingham Trent University's School of Science and Technology - one of the original researchers to develop the origami method as a chemistry teaching tool - said: "Laura's work has helped to address a very real problem within the workplace.”