Policy

Hazardous waste management Consistent with the big picture policy of the university University Announcement on Policy on Hazardous Waste Management from Laboratories 2022 with the following important points:
1. The university will control and supervise the use of chemicals. radioactive material and biological objects To work in an appropriate, cost-effective and safe manner and strive to reduce the production of hazardous waste from the laboratory into the environment.
2. Department administrators and department heads must give importance to and support the management of hazardous waste from laboratories of departments and agencies in accordance with relevant laws and in accordance with university policy.
3. The university will support all departments whose work involves chemicals. radioactive material and biological objects Separate hazardous waste from general waste. To achieve efficient management of hazardous waste.
4. The university will create and develop a centralized university-based hazardous waste management system for laboratory waste. and to work sections that have work related to chemicals radioactive material and biological objects Used to collect information on hazardous waste from laboratories in order to manage them in accordance with the law.
5. Department administrators and department heads must give importance to and support the management of hazardous waste from laboratories of departments and agencies in accordance with university policy.
6. Sections that perform work related to chemicals radioactive material and biological objects There must be a working group or person responsible for managing hazardous waste from the laboratory. Responsible for supervising, monitoring, and evaluating the management of hazardous waste from the laboratory according to the policies set by the university.

Every faculty/division in the university must have a working committee that is responsible for hazardous waste management. Hazardous waste management and recording systems are in place. And there is an agreement (Performance Agreement) with every department each year.

Occupational Safety, Health, and workplace Environment management 2021 was set up to Mahidol university policies and practices. As the following key points

• Occupational Safety, Health, and Workplace Environment management policy

(1) The university recognizes and prioritizes the safety of staff, students, and outsiders in the workplace. planning, operations, and activities in the university are included.

(2) The university supports the issuance of Occupational Safety, Health, and workplace Environment management regulations, announcements, orders, protocols, and practices that accordance with the law.

(3) The university supports improving a suitable working environment and developing Occupational Safety, Health, and workplace Environment facilities and infrastructure.

(4) The university encourages all personnel, students, and outsiders to comply with regulations, announcements, orders, protocols, and guidelines for Occupational Safety, Health, and Workplace Environment.

(5) The university encourages the proper use of resources. and have an effective hazardous waste management system

(6) The university supports the promotion of awareness, knowledge, and understanding of Occupational Safety, Health, and workplace Environment among staff and students.

(7) The university supports appropriate and continuous assessment, management, and control systems for all levels of work.

(8) The university will foster a culture of safety and maintain a good working environment for staff, students, and outsiders.

(9) The university promotes cooperation with neighboring communities. To strengthen occupational safety, health, and workplace environment.

• Guidelines for occupational safety, health and workplace environment.

(1) The university has determined that safety at work is a shared responsibility of all staff, students, and outsiders in the university.

(2) The university supports the training and motivation of staff, students, and third parties, especially outsourcing. as well as promoting activities to promote a culture of health and safety in the workplace thoroughly and continuously.

(3) The university requires staff and students working in chemical laboratories, Radioactive substances, biological materials, and other hazards must undergo training as required by the university. The expenses can be reimbursed from the affiliation department.

(4) The university requires safety performance and occupational health as one of the criteria for performance evaluation.

(5) All university senior leaders/directors must act as good role models and control compliance with regulations, announcements, orders, protocols, and guidelines for occupational safety, health, and workplace environment. as well as promoting cooperation with neighboring communities to enhance occupational safety, health and workplace environment.

(6) The faculty/division must improve and develop the workplace environment according to the Occupational Safety, Health, and workplace environment 2011 or other related laws as a minimum criterion.

(7) The faculty/division must set up an Occupational Safety, Health, and workplace environment committee safety, occupational health, and working environment at the department level to oversee safety work within the faculty/division according to the university policy.

(8) The faculty/division must have an evaluation of its performance by the regulations, announcements, orders, protocols, and practices against occupational safety, health and workplace environment according to the university's guidelines.

(9) Staff, students, and outsiders must consider the safety of themselves and others, as well as the property of the university, as important.

(10) All staffs, students, and outsiders have to comply with regulations, announcements, orders, protocols, and guidelines for occupational safety, health and workplace environment, and other related work safety standards.

(11) All staff and students are obligated to cooperate in the University's safety, occupational health, and workplace environment projects.

(12) All staff and students participated in offering their opinions. Suggestions for improving working conditions and safe working methods.

occupational safety, health, and workplace environment of the department Policies and practices shall be by the department head's determination by making a department announcement. and considering suitability Consistency with this announcement and the mission of the division is important

Operations

The university policies have been transmitted to the center for occupational safety, Health, and workplace environment (COSHEM). By joining the Enhancement of Safety Practice of Research Laboratory in Thailand (ESPReL) project with national research universities. To encourage researchers to be aware of safety, creating a culture and environment. Especially hazardous waste management in the laboratory as well as developing the potential of staff at all levels that are conducive to the continuous development of safety in research laboratories.

There was an occupational safety, health, and workplace environment committee from Mahidol University Order. To formulate and monitor policy results. Including a chief auditor and a laboratory auditor order according to Enhancement of Safety Practice of Research Laboratory in Thailand (ESPReL) standards and a committee has been set up for each department. Including setting a Performance Agreement with the faculty/division leader. There is a checklist for evaluation and management. Especially hazardous waste is supervised as a result, Mahidol University's chemical laboratories can pass an increasing number of assessments every year.

The graph illustrates the enhancement of safety standards in chemical-related laboratories. The orange line represents the cumulative number of laboratories certified since the project began in Fiscal Year (FY) 2015, starting with 3 laboratories in FY 2015, 17 in FY 2018, 50 in FY 2019, 170 in FY 2020, 291 in FY 2021, 397 in FY 2022, 460 in FY 2023, 489 in FY 2024, and 496 in FY 2025.

The blue line represents the number of laboratories certified annually in each fiscal year, starting with 3 laboratories in FY 2015, 14 in FY 2018, 33 in FY 2019, 120 in FY 2020, 121 in FY 2021, 106 in FY 2022, 63 in FY 2023, 29 in FY 2024, and 7 in FY 2025.

From the graph (orange line), it is evident that chemical-related laboratories have been cumulatively certified continuously from FY 2015 to FY 2025, reaching 496 out of 605 chemical-related laboratories (81.98%). From the graph (blue line), the number of laboratories certified annually shows an increasing trend from FY 2015 to FY 2021, followed by a decline from FY 2022 to FY 2025.

This decline is due to the fact that, from FY 2015 to FY 2021, a total of 291 out of 605 chemical-related laboratories (48.10%) had already been cumulatively certified. The remaining laboratories that have not yet been certified may not be ready to apply for certification, requiring preparation and gradual submission for certification in the following years.

Mahidol University has been continuously enhancing the safety standards of its research laboratories since 2015 to raise safety awareness and foster a work environment conducive to research development. In 2020, the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) promoted the Peer Evaluation assessment and accreditation system as a national safety standard, linking it to research funding applications and operational agreements between the university and its departments. Under this system, research laboratories and chemical-related laboratories are required to develop their operations in accordance with the established criteria.

Laboratories must undergo assessment and receive certification under the Peer Evaluation safety standard by evaluators registered with the NRCT. To support this, the Center for Occupational Safety, Health, and Workplace Environment has implemented the Laboratory Safety Enhancement Project towards Peer Evaluation Standards. This initiative aims to assist university laboratories in obtaining assessment and certification according to the prescribed standards, reduce accident risks, create a safe working environment, promote high-quality research outputs, and instill a sustainable safety culture among faculty, researchers, and students.

Currently, Mahidol University has successfully obtained Peer Evaluation assessment and certification for a total of 92 laboratories.

The graph illustrates that laboratories must undergo assessment and obtain certification under the Peer Evaluation safety standard. In 2023, a total of 13 laboratories were certified. In 2024, 76 laboratories were certified, bringing the cumulative total to 89 laboratories. In 2025, 3 laboratories were certified, resulting in a cumulative total of 92 laboratories.

To ensure the continuous enhancement of safety standards in accordance with the three-tier targets of the Center for Occupational Safety, Health, and Workplace Environment, namely: 1) ESPReL Standard, 2) Peer Evaluation Certification, and 3) TISI 2677/2015 Certification (a key indicator of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation), the Center promotes the management of chemical laboratory safety. This includes designating exemplary laboratories as models and mentors to drive sustainable safety standard improvements across various university departments.

Mahidol University has obtained certification for the chemical laboratory safety management system (TISI/TIS 2677-1) for a total of 3 laboratories. The overall summary of the safety standard enhancement initiatives is as follows:

The graph illustrates the continuous enhancement of safety standards according to the three-tier targets of the Center for Occupational Safety, Health, and Workplace Environment: 1) ESPReL Standard, 2) Peer Evaluation Certification, and 3) TISI 2677/2015 Certification. The goal is to improve safety standards for 602 laboratories across 20 departments within Mahidol University.

The results of the safety standard enhancement are as follows:

• 496 laboratories have been certified under the Enhancement of Safety Practice of Research Laboratory in Thailand (ESPReL).

• 92 laboratories have been assessed and certified under the Peer Evaluation system.

• 3 laboratories have been certified under the TISI 2677/2015 standard.

Learning

From Mahidol University occupational safety, health and workplace environment policies and practices announcement 2021. Especially topic number 4.3 which forwards the policy to implementation. By developing related training courses for those involved. In particular, hazardous waste management practices and auditor training courses. Continuous training has resulted in an increasing number of laboratories using certified chemicals every year.

According to the Mahidol University announcement on the Policy and Guidelines on Safety, Occupational Health, and Workplace Environment (2021), particularly Clause 4.3, all staff and students working in laboratories handling chemicals, radioactive materials, biological agents, and other hazards are required to undergo training as prescribed by the university, with expenses reimbursable by their respective departments.

This policy has been implemented into practical guidelines, including the development of training programs tailored for relevant personnel, with specific focus areas such as hazardous waste management and assessor training. Continuous training has led to a yearly increase in the number of chemical laboratories receiving certification.

The training programs include:

• Laboratory Safety Standard Training for Chemical-Related Laboratories

• Mahidol University Laboratory Safety Learning and Testing Program (MU LaBPass)

The details are as follows:

Laboratory Safety Standard Training for Chemical-Related Laboratories

Course Content:

1. Policies for National Laboratory Safety Standard Oversight

2. Knowledge Exchange: Experiences and Successes in Enhancing Laboratory Safety Standards

3. Relevant Laws on Laboratory Safety and the Research Laboratory Safety Standards in Thailand, covering the seven safety components:

   • Safety Management System

   • Chemical Management System

   • Waste Management System

   • Laboratory Physical Layout, Equipment, and Instruments

   • Hazard Prevention and Mitigation, Risk Analysis and Assessment

   • Basic Laboratory Safety Knowledge

   • Data and Documentation Management

Number of Participants:

The graph illustrates the number of participants in the Laboratory Safety Standard Training for Chemical-Related Laboratories. In 2020, a total of 219 participants attended the training. In 2021, 902 participants attended (conducted online, resulting in a larger number of participants). In 2023, 206 participants attended, and in 2025, 107 participants attended the training.

Mahidol University Laboratory Safety Learning and Testing Program (MU LaBPass)

Mahidol University has developed a training and knowledge-testing program on scientific laboratory safety through the MUx (E-learning) system, covering key topics such as safe use of equipment, hazard prevention, and proper response during emergencies.

Target Audience:
First- and second-year undergraduate students enrolled in practical courses in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, and Anatomy, as well as other interested participants.

Requirements:

• Complete the training and pass the test within 2 weeks after the semester begins.

• Achieve a minimum score of 80% to be granted access to the laboratories.

Nine Learning Modules:

1. General Safety Rules

2. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

3. MSDS, Chemical Labels, and Chemical Compatibility

4. Safety in the Use of Glassware and Instruments

5. Fire Safety

6. Electrical and Light Safety

7. Biological Safety

8. Waste Management

9. Emergency Response

The graph shows the number of registered participants and those who passed the test as follows:

The graph illustrates the number of participants who registered for and completed the Mahidol University Laboratory Safety Learning and Testing Program (MU LaBPass). In 2020, 1,973 out of 1,993 participants successfully passed the test. In 2021, 1,804 out of 1,903 participants passed. In 2022, 1,806 out of 1,826 participants passed. In 2023, 1,653 out of 1,708 participants passed. In 2024, 2,455 out of 2,496 participants passed.

For 2025, registration and testing are still ongoing.

Collaboration

Since 2015, Mahidol University has actively participated in promoting national policies on research laboratory safety management, led by the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT). The university joined the Enhancement of Safety Practice of Research Laboratory in Thailand (ESPReL) project in collaboration with other national research universities to raise researchers’ awareness of safety, create a conducive working environment, manage hazardous laboratory waste hygienically, and develop the capabilities of personnel at all levels to continuously improve laboratory safety practices.

Additionally, Mahidol University, through the Center for Occupational Safety, Health, and Workplace Environment (COSHEM), signed a memorandum of understanding with the NRCT to implement the Peer Evaluation Assessment and Certification Project for laboratories. The objectives of this project are to:

1. Develop the management system and operations of the Management of Research Agreement (MRA) units to achieve a standardized national framework.

2. Expand the implementation of Peer Evaluation assessment and certification without requiring NRCT budget support.

3. Promote systematic laboratory standard development mechanisms and mutual recognition among laboratories.

4. Continuously and sustainably enhance the safety of laboratories across universities, government agencies, private sectors, and state enterprises nationwide.

COSHEM has been assigned as the MRA management unit, responsible for conducting Peer Evaluation assessments in line with NRCT policies and covering all target groups nationwide. The assessments are conducted by 33 registered evaluators from the NRCT. To date, 86 laboratories from six universities—Mahidol University, Suranaree University of Technology, Burapha University, Thammasat University, Prince of Songkla University, and the Department of Medical Sciences—have been assessed. Among these, 22 laboratories were evaluated by COSHEM evaluators at Mahidol University.

Currently, Mahidol University has cumulatively obtained Peer Evaluation assessment and certification for 92 laboratories, as detailed in the operations section.