Enhancing Chemical Laboratory Safety Standards of Regional Medical Sciences Center 3 Nakhon Sawan: A Peer Evaluation

Chemical Laboratories Safety Enhancement

Abstract

        To ensure the safety of laboratory operations, it is essential to enhance and strengthen laboratory safety standards in order to make them more effective and comprehensive. The objective of this study was to analyze strengths, weaknesses and gaps in the implementation of safety standards in the chemistry laboratories of the Regional Medical Sciences Center 3, Nakhon Sawan. The study utilized the Laboratory Safety Inspection Manual of the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), 2^nd edition, 2015, as a reference to improve laboratory safety standards. The assessment of safety hazards was conducted using the ESPReL Checklist, which consisted of 162 items based on the seven components of laboratory safety. The data from 2019 to 2021 were assessed by Naresuan University in September 2021 and had an overall score of 82.6%. However, there were certain components that had a score below 80%; the safety management system, basic knowledge of laboratory safety, waste management system, and chemical management system had scores of 66.7%, 66.7%, 71.4%, and 74.6%, respectively. Communication and raising awareness of safety among personnel at all levels are able to create a safety working system that covers all components, enhance a sustainable safety culture and drive the development of effective and comprehensive safety standards that meet the peer evaluation criteria. However, it is crucial to continue regular monitoring and data analysis on an annual basis to establish a sustainable safety system for relevant safety agencies.