Raising the Level of Chemistry Laboratory L-210 of Mahidol University Kanchanaburi Campus According to safety standards of Research Laboratory in Thailand

Abstract

            Raising the level of laboratory safety is significantly important, especially in chemical laboratories that involve various hazardous and high-risk chemicals. The objective of this research is to survey and evaluate safety status in the L-210 chemistry laboratory of Mahidol University Kanchanaburi Campus and administrate to enhance the safety level according to the laboratory safety assessment guidelines. In this study, the survey of safety status was conducted in the laboratory before the raising of level process using  the ESPReL Checklist as instrument, it was found that the initial safety level of the laboratory was 52.40 percent. The GAP Analysis was then performed followed by preparing a plan to raise the level of safety by setting priority, and developing safety components (including safety management system, chemical management system, waste management system, physical characteristics of the laboratory, equipment and tools, dangers prevention and correction system, and data and documentation management). As a result, the improved safety level rose to 97 percent. In conclusion, the laboratory safety management has been improved. The results of this study can be a good example in developing safety systems for other laboratories and can be further used as guidelines for the preparation of safety standard manuals for the laboratories within the Kanchanaburi Campus.