Page 69 - FoodFocusThailand No.242 June 2026

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analytical results, the reliability of data, and the overall A Systematic Approach to
quality of testing processes. Laboratory Safety Management
According to OSHA, laboratories are exposed to a wide To minimize the impacts of these risks, organizations need to
range of risks, including chemical, biological, physical, implement a Lab Safety Management System that covers
and operational hazards. Personnel may be exposed personnel, processes, instruments, equipment, and data
to hazardous chemicals, microbial contamination and management. Key components include:
aerosol generation, as well as errors arising from improper 1. Hazard Identification: This involves identifying potential
equipment use and sample handling (OSHA, 2024). Key hazards arising from chemical usage, microbiological testing, or
laboratory risks can be categorized into four major areas, the operation of analytical instruments to reduce the likelihood
including: of accidents and errors during operations (WHO, 2020).
1. Chemical hazards are risks arising from exposure to 2. Risk Assessment: This refers to evaluating the likelihood
chemicals during operations, such as inhalation of chemical and severity of potential risks to prioritize them and establish
vapors, contact with corrosive substances, or improper appropriate control measures (ISO, 2017).
chemical storage. For example, storing incompatible 3. Control Measures: These are measures implemented
chemicals in the same area may lead to leaks, unintended to prevent and minimize operational risks, such as establishing
chemical reactions, or laboratory accidents (OSHA, 2024). Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), using Personal
2. Biological hazards are risks associated with Protective Equipment (PPE), implementing appropriate
contamination by pathogenic microorganisms. These ventilation systems, ensuring proper chemical storage, and
risks may occur during microbiological analysis of food maintaining a safe and suitable laboratory environment (OSHA,
products or through cross-contamination among samples, 2024).
equipment, or personnel (WHO, 2020). 4. Personnel Training and Competency: This involves
3. Operational risks arise from work processes, continuously developing personnel’s knowledge and skills to
such as sample mix-ups, improper use of equipment, reduce human error and improve the accuracy of analytical
failure to follow standard operating procedures, and human results (ISO, 2017).
error. These issues may affect the accuracy, precision, and 5. Monitoring and Continuous Improvement: This refers
consistency of analytical results (ISO, 2017). to the systematic process of monitoring, analyzing problems,
4. Data-related risks involve the recording, storage, and implementing corrective actions on an ongoing basis. It
and reporting of analytical results, such as calculation includes activities such as internal audits and Corrective and
errors, unauthorized data modification without verification, Preventive Actions (CAPA) to continuously enhance and sustain
or traceability issues. These factors can compromise data the effectiveness of the quality management system (ISO, 2017).
integrity and the overall reliability of analytical results (ISO,
2017). Safety Culture in the Laboratory:
In addition, data breach risks—such as reusing the Embedding Safety into Daily Operations
same password across multiple accounts—may allow In many cases, problems occurring in laboratories are not caused
unauthorized access to data and result in damage to by the absence of a system but rather by inconsistent compliance
information systems (Sangfor Technologies, n.d.). Although with established procedures, ineffective communication, or
some errors may appear to be minor operational incidents, overlooking minor risks that may eventually lead to major issues.
if not properly controlled, they can negatively impact Therefore, establishing a safety culture is another critical factor
product quality, operational efficiency, and long-term in enhancing the reliability of analytical results and ensuring that
consumer confidence. safety measures are continuously and sustainably implemented.
Key elements of a safety culture include:
When Laboratory Risks Affect the • Safety Mindset: Cultivating the attitude that safety is an
Food Industry integral part of quality.
Laboratory risks do not affect only personnel or analytical • Near-Miss Reporting: Encouraging the reporting of near-
results; they are also directly linked to organizational costs, miss incidents to prevent future risks and problems.
operational efficiency, and credibility. A case study involving • Continuous Training: Continuously developing personnel
the detection of formalin contamination in seafood products knowledge and technical competencies.
in Thailand highlights the importance of analytical systems • Leadership Support: Ensuring management support in
and quality control within laboratories. Reports identified terms of policies, resources, and communication.
formalin contamination in certain seafood samples sold Embedding safety as part of organizational culture helps
in Thailand, leading to increased surveillance and further reduce errors, improve operational consistency, and sustainably
investigations by public health authorities (Thanmaneesin, enhance the reliability of analytical results.
2019). This case demonstrates that if analytical processes Effective lab safety is crucial for QA/QC systems (ISO, 2017),
lack accuracy or risk control systems are ineffective, driving both data accuracy and reliability. It also minimizes
food safety decisions and consumer confidence may be operational downtime, cuts repeat testing costs and improves
significantly affected. overall efficiency. Preventing errors early on reduces expensive
Another international case occurred in 2025, when the chemical waste, limits rework and avoids legal damages—
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) required safeguarding against immense hidden costs. Ultimately,
several companies to conduct redo studies after identifying lab safety is not a cost, but a valuable investment driving
issues related to data accuracy and the reliability of results long-term value for food businesses.
generated by a contract laboratory in India (Reuters, 2025).
The incident resulted in additional testing costs, operational
delays, and damage to organizational credibility.
These cases illustrate that laboratory risks are not
merely safety concerns but also “business risks” that More Information Service Info C011
directly affect costs, time, operational efficiency, and
long-term trust.
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