IPB University Strengthens Laboratory Safety Management
Laboratories, as centers of research, education, and innovation in higher education, play a vital role but also face significant challenges related to occupational safety and the environment.
In response to these challenges, IPB University held a workshop on developing occupational safety and health inspection procedures and handling hazardous materials and waste in laboratories. This step is part of the commitment to strengthen the culture of safety and risk management on campus.
In his speech, the Secretary of the IPB University Institute, Prof Agus Purwito, emphasized the importance of this activity. “Laboratories are the heart of research and educational activities that use hazardous materials with high risk potential every day.”
“The development of these guidelines is not merely an administrative document, but a shared commitment to protect IPB University members (students, lecturers, educational staff), ensure the continuity of research activities, and maintain the institution’s reputation,” he said.
In line with this, the Chief of the IPB University Risk Management Office (KMR), Ir Budi Purwanto, ME, said that IPB has developed risk management guidelines based on the international standard ISO 31000.
He explained that risk management is the “DNA” of laboratory governance with a three-line model: risk owners (laboratory operators), supervisors, and risk auditors.
“Every laboratory must have Occupational Safety, Health, and Environmental Risk Management (MRK3L) guidelines, with low, medium, and high risk categories,” he explained.
The first session was presented by Santi Ambarwati from KMR IPB. She defined K3 inspection as a systematic step to identify potential hazards, prevent accidents, and ensure that K3 programs are implemented.
There are three types of inspections: routine (early detection of hazards on a regular basis), specific (focusing on high-risk aspects such as hazardous chemicals), and investigative (conducted after an accident to find the cause and prevention measures).
“Inspections are carried out on biological, chemical, physical, ergonomic, psychosocial, and safety hazards. The process includes preparation, implementation, recording of results, and reporting with recommendations for improvement,” she explained.
The second material was presented by Dr Lina Noviyanti Sutardi, who emphasized the importance of handling hazardous and toxic materials (B3). She explained that safe handling includes hazard identification, provision of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), labeling, emergency response procedures, and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
In managing B3 waste, she emphasized a systematic process starting from reduction, sorting, collection, transportation, processing, to headfinal disposal. Every producer of B3 waste is required to make reduction efforts through material substitution, process modification, or environmentally friendly technology.
The final session was presented by Ridwan Hardiansyah, Assistant Director of Campus Environmental Management. He explained that IPB University produces around 10 tons of hazardous waste per year. All waste is managed at the Taman Semangat Integrated Waste Management Facility (TPST).
The hazardous waste management process begins with document verification, packaging and labeling checks, delivery to the Temporary Storage Site (TPS), and reporting through the Ministry of Environment’s Electronic Environmental Reporting System (SIMPEL).
Through this workshop, IPB University emphasized that strengthening laboratory safety culture and hazardous waste management is a strategic investment to ensure the safety of the academic community, maintain the sustainability of the campus environment, and ensure the continuity of internationally standardized research. (dh) (IAAS/HRD)
