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Understanding Work-as-Imagined and Work-as-Done in Biomedical Laboratories.

Viji Vijayan1

  • 1Human Factors and Safety Specialist in Biorisk Management, Praxis Biorisk Systems Pte Ltd, Singapore, Singapore.

Applied Biosafety : Journal of the American Biological Safety Association
|March 23, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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Biomedical lab workers often deviate from standard operating procedures (SOPs) due to time constraints, performing mental risk assessments to ensure safety. Addressing these work-as-done gaps is crucial for laboratory safety and productivity.

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical laboratory science
  • Occupational safety and health
  • Quality management systems

Background:

  • The discrepancy between planned procedures (work-as-imagined, WAI) and actual practice (work-as-done, WAD) is unexamined in biomedical labs.
  • Standard operating procedures (SOPs) represent WAI, but laboratory workers often adapt them based on experience and practical considerations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the gaps between WAI and WAD in biomedical laboratory settings.
  • To understand how laboratory workers assess the safety and productivity of their deviations from SOPs.
  • To identify effective methods for learning safe laboratory work practices.

Main Methods:

  • Qualitative study involving interviews with fifteen laboratory workers.
  • Exploration of participants' experiences with deviations from SOPs.
Keywords:
biomedical laboratoriesbiorisk managementbiosafety practiceswork-as-donework-as-imagined

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  • Inquiry into risk assessment strategies and learning methods for safe laboratory practices.

    • Main Results:

    • Significant gaps exist between WAI (SOPs) and WAD in biomedical laboratories.
    • Workers conduct on-the-spot mental risk assessments to justify deviations from SOPs, prioritizing high-risk steps.
    • Work pressure and time constraints are primary drivers for SOP deviations, particularly with valuable samples and reagents.

    Conclusions:

    • The identified WAI-WAD gaps in biomedical labs require systematic identification and management to ensure safety.
    • Developing relevant SOPs with worker input and fostering open communication are essential.
    • Interactive safety training can enhance workers' skills in managing inevitable local variability.