As we continue to observe Occupational Safety and Health month, let’s be reminded that safe laboratory practices are essential to the integrity of laboratory work and the well-being of everyone who operates within laboratory environments daily. Recognising this, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) is encouraging laboratories across Guyana to acquire and implement the National Standard, GYS 235:2024 – General Requirements for Safety in Laboratories.
This National Standard offers a structured and practical approach to managing safety in laboratories across the country, as it clearly outlines requirements for implementing a laboratory safety management system. It also guides laboratories in developing comprehensive safety policies and objectives while ensuring alignment with relevant legal and regulatory obligations.
Additionally, the standard allows users to focus on the identification of hazards and the management of risks within their control, which significantly reduces incidents and fosters safer working environments for employees, clients and visitors alike.
The importance of the GYS 235:2024 Standard lies in its practical and extensive approach to occupational safety and health. The document specifically addresses critical areas such as sanitation, staff training and competence, effective communication, the proper use of personal protective equipment and the safe handling and transportation of samples. These elements are vital for minimising workplace risks, preventing accidents and fatalities, and maintaining high standards of laboratory performance.
Beyond meeting compliance requirements, this standard plays a key role in boosting the credibility and reliability of laboratory operations and results. Laboratories that adopt GYS 235 demonstrate a strong commitment to safety and quality, which can improve customer confidence, support accreditation efforts and foster a culture of continuous improvement. In environments where accuracy and safety are paramount, the implementation of this standard is not only beneficial but also necessary.
In addition to strengthening their internal systems and safeguarding their employees, laboratories implementing GYS 235 contribute to a safer and more robust national laboratory infrastructure.
Importantly, GNBS also has the capacity to provide training on this National Standard. So far this year, two training sessions have been conducted for stakeholders desirous of implementing the requirements. Firstly, as part of its ongoing plans and capacity-building efforts, the National Taskforce on Sound Management of Laboratory Chemicals in Schools benefitted from a two-day training course in January. This training targeted the safe storage, handling and use of chemicals within educational institutions.
Participants included senior science teachers and representatives from key agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board (PTCCB) and the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD). The second session, held in March, saw participation from quality managers and laboratory technicians from public and private laboratories across the country.
GNBS welcomes more individuals working in laboratory environments to participate in its training programme to gain the knowledge required to implement this safety standard to ensure best practices are applied within their laboratories.
