Ensuring safety of high-risk KK Health Lab

Kota Kinabalu: Kota Kinabalu Public Health Laboratory officials are taking no chances when it comes to safety.This is especially because various types of chemicals and gas with some even considered hazardous are being stored in the laboratory, making it a high risk premises by fire and rescue officials.

With this in mind, Kota Kinabalu Public Health Laboratory has taken numerous initiatives to conduct safety drills to make sure those working in the premises are prepared for any possibility.

"Health and safety has always been our priority and the exercise is part of a preparation for any event that may occur in the workplace," said Kota Kinabalu Public Health Laboratory Deputy Director Dr Anisah Jantim during a safety fire drill held at the premises in Bukit Padang, here, Wednesday.

"We understand that the premises contains significant risks and prevention of laboratory accidents requires great care and constant vigilance," she said.

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Dr Anisah said the preparations are also meant to test their ability to act and the effectiveness of the existing safety features in the premises during fire emergency cases.

"In addition, we also hope to minimise the impact of accidents on people and property within and outside the premises," she said.

"So far, there has been no untoward incidents here but that is not a reason for us to take safety lightly.

We also have a series of programmes planned, among them, the biohazard drill which is scheduled for May," she added.

Some 120 staff took part in the drill jointly organised by the Penampang Fire and Rescue Department, which deployed its Emergency Medical Rescue Services team and fire engine manned by 10 firefighters.

Also present was Penampang Fire and Rescue Senior Officer Rudy Mekii who explained that corrosive and toxic chemicals or gas kept in laboratories are among risk factors which make such premises to be considered high risk.

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"Measures to protect against laboratory accidents include safety training and the initiatives taken by the Kota Kinabalu Public Health Laboratory to ensure safety should be taken as an example by others."

He also pointed out several areas which can be improved during the exercise, among them, the need to have an Emergency Response Team who know what to do during emergencies and panel doors which can automatically unlock once the emergency siren is triggered. - Sherell Ann Jeffrey

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