Records of monitoring the use of chemicals to conduct experiments and scientific research in Vietnam

Records of monitoring the use of chemicals to conduct experiments and scientific research in Vietnam (Internet image)

1. Regulations on safety equipment and labor protection equipment in the laboratory when using chemicals in Vietnam

Regulations on safety equipment and labor protection equipment in the laboratory when using chemicals according to Article 5 Circular 04/2019/TT-BKHCN as follows:

* General regulations on safety equipment and labor protection equipment in the laboratory include:

- Means, equipment, tools to handle chemical incidents;

- First aid kit;

- Personal protective equipment (Clothing, shoes, hats, protective glasses, gas masks, gloves, masks...) necessary for the experimenter suitable to the nature of the research and experiment work;

- Various types of waste bins that are classified and have external signs for easy recognition;

- Labor safety rules in the laboratory, instructions for using laboratory equipment, safety instructions for using chemicals according to hazardous chemical groups;

- Chemical safety data sheets providing detailed information on hazardous chemicals from manufacturers, importers, and distributors.

* Laboratories using hazardous chemicals must be equipped with safety equipment suitable to the hazardous characteristics of the chemicals, specifically:

- Areas using flammable, explosive chemicals must have monitoring and warning equipment and appropriate ventilation devices;

- Areas using hazardous, easily evaporating chemicals must have appropriate fume hoods, fans, or gas collection and treatment systems to meet environmental emission requirements;

- Areas using corrosive, strong oxidizing chemicals must be separately designed with appropriate waste collection and treatment systems ensuring safety;

- Laboratories using other hazardous chemicals must be equipped with appropriate safety equipment or have suitable solutions to ensure the safety of people and environmental protection.

* Laboratories must have areas to store chemicals used for research and experiments safely.

* Hazardous chemicals, chemicals prohibited to be used for experiments and scientific research, must be stored in separate warehouses that meet the requirements of chemical storage warehouses as stipulated in Article 4 Decree 113/2017/ND-CP.

* Arrange safety equipment in the laboratory to meet the following requirements:

- Avoid obstructing exits and escape doors. Escape routes must be clearly indicated with signs, warning lights, and designed to be convenient for evacuation, rescue, and emergency situations;

- Arrange ventilation systems, incident warning systems, lighting systems, electrical systems, supply and waste collection treatment systems to meet standards and technical regulations on fire and explosion prevention, corrosion prevention, environmental protection, and occupational safety and hygiene according to legal regulations;

- Display chemical safety rules, detailed operation process instructions, and danger signs appropriate to the level of chemical hazards in easily visible and observable areas.

* Each laboratory, depending on its specialization, issues its own regulations to ensure the safety of people, property, and the environment during the use and storage of hazardous chemicals.

2. Records of monitoring the use of chemicals to conduct experiments and scientific research in Vietnam

Records of monitoring the use of chemicals to conduct experiments and scientific research according to Article 7 Circular 04/2019/TT-BKHCN as follows:

- The laboratory establishes records for monitoring the use of hazardous chemicals and prohibited chemicals, including:

+ Logbook for monitoring the use of hazardous chemicals and prohibited chemicals;

+ Records and documents of each type of prohibited chemical used for experiments and scientific research (if any);

+ Chemical safety data sheets for hazardous, easily dangerous chemicals as stipulated in Article 24 Decree 113/2017/ND-CP.

- The content recorded in the logbook for monitoring the use of hazardous chemicals and prohibited chemicals must fully update information including: scientific name, trade name, chemical formula of the chemical; quantity, mass of chemicals used, chemical waste; classification of hazardous chemicals; information related to chemical incidents, chemical safety; new hazardous properties and impacts of chemicals.

- The logbook for monitoring the use of hazardous chemicals and prohibited chemicals, and chemical safety data sheets must be uniformly kept in designated places in the laboratory.

- The time for retaining records of monitoring hazardous chemical use is at least three years, and for prohibited chemicals, at least ten years from the date of concluding the use of those chemicals.

- Annual periodic chemical inventory, update and monitor old, expired chemicals to have safety measures.

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