University of Seoul Waste-to-Energy Research Laboratory Wins National Research Safety Headquarters Director's Award

Selected as an Outstanding Institution for National Research Safety Management

The University of Seoul announced on November 26 that the Waste-to-Energy Research Laboratory in the Department of Environmental Engineering was selected as an outstanding case in preliminary hazardous factor risk analysis at the "2025 Laboratory Safety Content and Best Practices Contest," and received the Director's Award from the National Research Safety Headquarters.

Group photo of the Waste-to-Energy Research Laboratory at the University of Seoul. University of Seoul

This contest was hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT and organized by the National Research Safety Headquarters of the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology. It was held with the goal of discovering best practices to promote a culture of laboratory safety and prevent accidents at universities and research institutions. The awards ceremony took place on November 24 at the Inchon Memorial Hall of Korea University during the 2025 Laboratory Safety Week commemoration event.

The Waste-to-Energy Research Laboratory conducted experiments involving hazardous elements such as the pyrolysis of waste plastics and biomass. The team prepared a "Preliminary Hazardous Factor Risk Analysis Report," which subdivided the entire experimental process into preparation, sample processing, reaction, analysis, and disposal stages.

Additionally, the laboratory established a quantitative management system that calculated risk scores based on the frequency and intensity of each stage, grading the risk level on a scale from 2 to 6 points. In particular, separate emergency procedures were established for high-risk processes, and the use of personal protective equipment was made mandatory.

Furthermore, practical safety management measures were strengthened by continuously operating safety facilities such as eyewash stations, emergency showers, local exhaust ventilation systems, and gas leak alarm systems.

Oh Yaeun, a master's student who led the report's preparation, emphasized, "Since research processes are complex and involve many risk variables, analyzing risk factors in advance and preparing countermeasures is the first step in preventing accidents."

Meanwhile, the winning entry from this contest will be used as laboratory safety training material at the University of Seoul in the future.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.