Assessment of chemical health risk and chemical safety awareness of laboratory operator in UMK, Jeli campus

The objective of this study were to assess the chemical health risk in UMK teaching laboratory and to suggest risk control or action to be taken for the UMK teaching laboratory based on the assessment conducted. Besides that, this study also to determine the level of chemical safety awareness of laboratory operator in UMK. Chemical Health Risk Assessment (CHRA) conducted with the purpose of enabling decisions to be made on appropriate control measures, induction and training of employees, monitoring and health surveillance activities as may be required to protect the health of employees who may be exposed to chemicals hazardous to health at work. In addition, it also to evaluate the sufficiency of the current control measures practiced by the laboratory operator. Survey is conducted in order to identify the level of awareness among students (first year and third year), lecturer, lab assistance and science officer. Result showed that teaching laboratory in UMK Jeli campus can be conclude as C3, which risk significant now; and not adequately controlled. The use of chemical in both work unit (Chemistry subject and Waste Management and Pollution Prevention subject) can adversely affect the health of the laboratory operator. At the same time, not adequately control to prevent the laboratory operator from the exposure of hazardous chemical to health. Meanwhile, the level of awareness in UMK Jeli Campus is good. As a conclusion, the laboratory operator have a good awareness about the chemical safety, but there are no practices or implementation during laboratory activities.