Using TIS 2677-2558 for Risk Assessment of Hazardous Waste as a Safety Improvement in a Basic Chemistry Laboratory

Abstract

The basic chemical laboratories at the Department of Industrial Chemistry, Faculty of Applied Science, King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok are producing hazardous chemical wastes. Thailand Industrial Standard (TIS 2677-2558) was used as a guideline to manage hazardous wastes. It was found out that, before the assessment, there were 31 items that ranked as high risk to accidents. This management was further improved the following: by collecting data from the activities of the laboratory staffs, by classifying the types of hazardous wastes, by relocating the waste storage locations, by changing the hazardous waste containers, by appropriately labeling hazardous wastes, by creating a recording system regarding the information of the hazardous wastes, and by proper coordination of data before and after disposal. In spite of these measures, there were still 5 items remained at high risk rating. Nevertheless, the safety of the laboratory for personnel and students using the laboratory were increased significantly.