Baptist University has refused to discuss a report that found students were exposed to ultraviolet radiation due to a number of failings, including an academic staff member being unfamiliar with the hazards.
Last October, 18 third-year students had eye and skin complaints after they were exposed to UV radiation in a laboratory class in the school of Chinese medicine.
The university issued a press release last week, saying it would boost safety measures in its laboratories but this week refused to talk to the South China Morning Post.
An investigation found that the academic staff member was unaware of the hazards of UV radiation; there was 'insufficient technical support' on the day of the accident; specific safety alerts or precautions were not listed in students' lab manuals; and laboratory safety practices were not enforced.
In the press release, the dean of the school of Chinese medicine, Liu Liang, said the school had stepped up safety measures in laboratories.
The measures include reinforcing the practice of assigning an associate professor and a senior technical officer to oversee training and maintenance matters and implement risk control measures, and providing sufficient technical support for laboratory activities.