Vietnam: Safety equipment and personal protective equipment used in laboratories

According to Circular No. 04/2019/TT-BKHCN of the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam, the laboratories using hazardous chemicals must be equipped with appropriate safety equipment according to the dangerous nature of the chemicals. To be specific:

- The areas utilizing flammable or explosive chemicals must be installed with the monitoring, warning devices and appropriate ventilation equipment;

- The areas utilizing toxic or volatile chemicals must be installed with the appropriate laboratory fume hoods, ventilation fans or the air collection and treatment system satisfactory to the emission requirements;

- The areas utilizing corrosive chemicals and strong oxidants must be separately designed and located, installed with the appropriate waste collection and treatment system to ensure safety;

- The laboratories utilizing chemicals having other dangerous properties must be furnished with the safety equipment or have appropriate measures to ensure human safety and environmental protection.

- With respect to the laboratories, must allocate areas to store the chemicals that are being used for the scientific experiments and research to ensure safety.

Moreover, the hazardous chemicals, banned chemicals that are used for the scientific experiments and research must be stored in separate storage satisfactory to the chemical storage requirements under Article 4 of Decree No. 113/2017/ND-CP of Vietnam’s Government.

Allocate safety equipment in the laboratories ensuring the following criteria:

- Away from the emergency exits or doors. The escape routes must be clearly specified by panels, signaling lights and designed conveniently for the purposes of emergency exit, rescue or evacuation;

- The ventilation systems, warning systems, lighting systems, electricity systems and wastes classification, collection and treatment systems must be installed in a manner satisfactory to the technical standards, regulations and regulations relating fire, explosive and corrosion prevention and fight, environmental protection and occupational safety and hygiene as per law.

- The regulations regarding chemical safety, the specific guidelines regarding the procedures and danger signs meeting the danger levels of the chemicals must be posted and placed in visible spots.

- Each laboratory, based on their specialized nature, shall promulgate regulations applicable to the respective laboratory to ensure safety for human, assets and environment during the use and storage of hazardous chemicals.

View more details at the Circular No. 04/2019/TT-BKHCN of the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam, effective from September 15, 2019.

Thu Ba

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