Assessment and Development of Safety Management Models for Environmental Science Laboratories in the Department of Environmental Technology and Management

Abstract

          This research aims to investigate the safety management issues and develop a safety management model for environmental science laboratories within the Department of Environmental Technology and Management. The study population consisted of 35 graduate students actively working in the department's laboratories, selected through purposive sampling. A structured questionnaire was employed to assess the safety management issues, focusing on three key safety components: (1) chemical and waste management; (2) the physical characteristics of the laboratory, equipment, and tools; and (3) hazard prevention systems and basic safety knowledge in the laboratory.

          The results indicated that chemical and waste management had an average score of 3.52±1.01, categorized as good; the physical characteristics of the laboratory, equipment, and tools had an average score of 3.34±1.03, categorized as moderate; and the hazard prevention systems and basic safety knowledge in the laboratory had an average score of 3.56±1.12, categorized as good. The study further analyzed the safety management gaps to establish standardized procedures and initiate tangible improvements in laboratory safety. Prioritization of safety management issues was conducted at three levels: 1^st Priority-urgent and feasible actions; 2^nd Priority-moderately urgent actions to be implemented within 6-12 months; and 3^rd Priority-non-urgent actions requiring enhanced safety management practices.