Jeonnam Provincial Assembly Member Shin Min-ho, Fully Committed to Creating Safe Science Labs

Shin Min-ho, Jeonnam Provincial Assembly Member

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Jun-kyung] Jeonnam Provincial Council announced on the 22nd that the "Jeollanam-do Office of Education Science Lab Safety Management Ordinance," proposed by Assemblyman Shin Min-ho (Democratic Party, Suncheon 6), was approved at the 4th plenary session.

This ordinance includes provisions on ▲ prevention of safety accidents ▲ science lab safety inspections ▲ safety education ▲ chemical management ▲ wastewater and waste management and disposal ▲ accident response systems.

Assemblyman Shin Min-ho stated, "Science labs handle various chemical substances, so even a momentary mistake can cause a major accident," and added, "To provide an optimized educational environment that can cultivate future core competencies, we have established legal grounds for science lab safety inspections, safety education, chemical management, and wastewater and waste disposal."

He continued, "As of 2019, 1,015 units have been distributed to schools across Jeonnam Province, but the risks of the materials and the harmful substances generated during operation are not recognized," and pointed out, "Education on how to safely use 3D printers, which are being fostered as future growth engines in the 4th Industrial Revolution era, and how to respond to harmful substances is urgently needed."

Furthermore, he said, "Although various measures are being implemented to prevent student safety accidents, accidents of varying scales still occur," and added, "I hope that by establishing a safe environment, students can engage in diverse exploratory activities in science labs, develop critical thinking and imagination, and realize various ideas."

Assemblyman Shin Min-ho conducted a survey on the status of old wet specimens (formalin) remaining in school science labs following repeated formalin leakage accidents involving hazardous chemicals, and took measures to completely dispose of 17,002 kg of wet specimens (formalin) held by 245 schools by securing an emergency budget from the Office of Education.