SAFETY IN LABORATORIES

The control regulations of hazardous substances (COSSH) have the aim to protect the user from other unwanted effects of substances that are harmful to health. This is only possible by using risk evaluation and implementation adequate prevention control or minimizes exposure to substances. The prevention or the reduction of laboratory's users exposure to hazardous substances can be achieved by: finding out what the health hazards are; deciding how to prevent harm to health; providing control measures to reduce harm to health; making sure they are used ; keeping all control measures in good working order; providing information, instruction and training for laboratory users and others; providing monitoring and health surveillance in appropriate cases; planning for emergencies. The hazardous substances can take many forms such as chemicals, products containing chemicals, fumes, dusts, vapors, mists, nanotechnology, gases and asphyxiating gases and biological agents (microorganisms). The control of risk measures is essential and it is based on the elimination, substitution, reduction, engineering control and additional measures. Besides COSSH, The European Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures – the CLP Regulation – came into force in all EU member states. However, COSSH is used widely in Europe while these control regulations are not used in the practice in Bosnia and Herzegovina's laboratories. To proceed with a laboratory's work we are obligated to use the control regulations to protect ourselves as well as a surrounded environment. Any kind of spillage of hazardous substances can cause the environmental disaster that can be dangerous to humans, flora and fauna and the whole environment.