On 5 March 2026, from 08:30 to 16:30 hrs., the Faculty of Agriculture at Khon Kaen University organised a training workshop titled “Enhancing Laboratory Safety According to the ESPReL System and Utilising the ESPReL Checklist”. The workshop aimed to promote knowledge, understanding, and awareness of safety practices within laboratories that utilise chemical substances and scientific instruments. These practices are integral to the Faculty’s teaching, research, and analytical service activities, which can generate laboratory waste. The event was held at the Research and Development Centre conference room, Faculty of Agriculture, and was attended by 30 staff members and students responsible for or working in the Faculty’s chemical laboratories.
The event was officially opened by Assistant Professor Savitree Wongtangthintharn, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Strategy and Quality Development. In her opening remarks, she emphasised that the Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, places great importance on advancing laboratory safety standards to ensure that its teaching, research, and academic service operations are conducted efficiently and safely. Consequently, this workshop was initiated to focus on the university-level management of safety in chemical laboratories. Currently, several laboratories within the Faculty of Agriculture are participating in the programme to receive training that encourages the wider adoption of the ESPReL system and checklist.
Following the opening, Ms. Srirat Suwanakom from the Environmental and Hazardous Substance Management Research Centre, Faculty of Engineering, Khon Kaen University, served as the workshop’s lead speaker. The training was designed to provide staff and students involved in laboratory work with the essential knowledge and understanding to manage laboratories safely, in line with the guidelines of the Enhancement of Safety Practice of Research Laboratory in Thailand (ESPReL) project.
Participants gained valuable insights into laboratory safety management principles, the application of the ESPReL Checklist system, and the importance of fostering a culture of safety. They are now equipped to apply this knowledge to maintain and manage their laboratories for safer operations and can correctly register for and utilise the ESPReL Checklist system.
