The risk assessment of waste management system from hazardous chemicals in microbiology laboratory

Abstract

Objective To identify the hazard and evaluate the risk of chemical waste management in microbiology laboratory, which is used as the guidelines for improving the chemical safety laboratory in Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University.

Methods We evaluated the hazard risks in laboratory using “checklist technique” referenced to ESPReL checklist document focusing on waste management system used in national research universities (NRUs) were evaluated. Moreover, “checklist technique” was also used to evaluate the hazard probability and severity of related situation following the criteria of risk assessment in biological safety guidelines launched by the Center for Occupational Safety, Health and Environment Management (COSHEM), Mahidol University. Finally, we performed risk management plans and related documents (plan for controlling risk level 2 and plan for decreasing risk level 3 and 4) were performed.

Results We found that there was no specificarea for storing waste (risk level 2). The laboratory did not have the proper cabinet for collecting more than 10 gal (38 L) flammablewaste (risk level 4). The standard criteria of the amount of waste accepted for storing in laboratory was not mentioned (risk level 3). Moreover, we did not do reuse and recycle in waste management (risk level 2) and there was no protocol for treating waste before released (risk level 3). All of data collected above were used to announce the risk-controlling and risk-decreasing plan.

Conclusion The short-term plans for reducing and controlling risks are emergency-managing plan, fire-fighteprocedures, chemical spill management, the record of emergency and accidental circumstances, the standard protocols for waste management and providing the proper information for eliminating chemical waste as well as findingout space(s) for centered waste collection. All plans should be evaluated every 3 months. Additionally, the long-term plans are emergency-controlling plan, the critically alert plan, the procedure for calling tree, how to response to critical situation and for procedure saver, launching business continuity plan, conducting the workshop for chemical laboratory safety, the reduction of using and occupying harmful chemicals, the changing of working processes to reduce harmful chemical usage, the recycle of chemicals and emphasizing the best practice of chemical waste management as well as the project for training staff in term of knowledge, understanding and evoking the positive attitude to community and environment.