Shridhivya

Concerns on safety and security in Indian laboratories and proposed measures – regarding

R&D sector in India is persistently seeking attention of GOI with a demand for steady increase in the country’s economic investment in R&D activities. Given the consistent voices of scientists, from both academia and industry, and aspiring scientists, for support from the GOI in their efforts towards an exponential growth of research activities in the upcoming years, India will hopefully witness an increase in the number of research facilities in the future. While research activities are paramount for growth in the country, the resources employed, such as chemicals, radiation, instruments etc harbor a range of potential hazards and risks, which, however, can be managed and ought to be managed through disciplined practices. Of note, the demise of a young scholar in a premiere institute steered significant changes in protocols and adoption of revised laboratory practices; however, the list of laboratory accidents that have not been reported is likely long, based on stories narrated by researchers, when specifically asked about this issue. At this juncture, it is vital to streamline periodical review of national policies/regulations specifically for laboratory safety and, laboratory research-associated emergency preparedness and response, for continuous improvement in quality of research operations in all R&D facilities. It is most vital to enforce due compliance to safety regulations and policies in all R&D facilities to prevent harmful impact to personnel, loss of resources, accidents, emergencies and breach of security.

The current scenario in R&D facilities in India

Despite the prevailing laws in the country such as the EPA, 1986, which elaborate on the responsibilities of research community and the principles governing research activities, as well as the existence of institutional safety committees, the real scenario of safety and security in many laboratories are far from meeting up to standards. At present, the institutional demands on compliance to safety guidelines is lax and defaulters are rarely subject to heavy penalties. In most institutes, an initial communication to employees, at their time of joining, regarding compliance to safety policies is not followed by periodic assessments. Formal institutional policies are not reviewed at frequent intervals by external regulatory authorities through appraisal. The policies have not been translated, to a consistent work culture of commitment to safety and security, across the hierarchy of personnel from principle investigators (who mostly plan and supervise research) to students and laboratory assistants (who comprise the actual ground level task force involved in experimental activities of any laboratory). The practice of reporting and record keeping of accidents, mishandling of laboratory material and security breaches is non-existent in majority of the R&D facilities. There is now a pressing need to implement changes at multiple levels of operations of R&D facilities to rectify and improve the standards of safety and security.

Proposed measures to attain necessary standards of safety and security in R&D sector

Establish a national body, that shall be known as National council of laboratory safety and security (NCLSS); the primary functions of the body should focus on issues pertaining to management of safety and security, including biological, chemical, electrical, fire, mechanical, physical, radiation and ergonomic safety in operations of a laboratory. Unlike the operations of the NGCMA and QCI who accredit organizations that volunteer for assessment, the periodic assessment of R&D facilities by the NCLSS should be made mandatory.
The goals of the NCLSS should include, but not be limited to campaign for safety and security in laboratories, develop assessment models, perform periodic appraisal, monitor compliance to policies, offer recommendations to address the shortcomings in safety and security in the operation of facilities, develop support systems for emergency preparedness, response and recovery.
Expand designated work force in R&D facilities and governmental bodies with capacities of development, implementation and oversight of laboratory safety and security systems
Officialise the maintenance of a database of accidents, mishandling of laboratory material and security breaches by all the laboratories for review by the NCLSS to help in improving the safety guidelines, safety practices and development of preventive measures
Enforce a mandate for adequate training of all laboratory personnel for understanding of and adherence to safety guidelines by the R&D facility
Regular internal audits of safety and security, in all laboratories, to mitigate development of insensitive attitudes of researchers due to long duration of repetitive activities involving potentially hazardous material
Expand the structure of institutional safety committees to include the position of Chief safety and security officers as a senior position in operations, with authority and assessment rights, and the positions be opened strictly for personnel with extensive laboratory research experience
Formulate certification courses on national policies, compliance requirements and management of laboratory safety and security
Promote the studies on development of models for economic evaluation of safety costs that could be of use to the scientific community in planning of research projects and grant proposals