Seminar
A modern perspective on working safely in the lab
Safety in the laboratory goes beyond rules and procedures: the human factor is essential, as is the associated behavior. During this seminar, we will zoom in on awareness, choices, and daily routines that make the difference between safe and unsafe working practices.
10.00 – 10.25 am
The use of AI in chemical hazard assessment
Every day both consumers and workers are exposed to a multitude of chemicals, and new substances enter the market daily. It is important to understand the toxicity of the chemicals but this is a time-consuming process. Here, AI based approaches offer opportunities. Bernice Scholten will present some key developments within this field including the use of in silico models to predict hazardous properties, the utility of large language models to extract and summarize text, and the use of AI based technologies to synthesize mechanistic literature. In addition, several TNO tools will be presented shortly including the Substance Information Database and the Chemical Substitution Tool.
Speaker: Bernice Sholten, TNO
10:25 – 10:50
We work safely in our new labs!
The laboratory program at Firda Leeuwarden has acquired three new, modern labs. During the move, it became apparent that the safety policy also needed to be updated. New equipment and facilities alone are not enough. Working safely is also about knowing what to do and having the right attitude. Therefore, team members received additional training. The team now has a clear policy: We work safely! After all, students have a right to a safe working environment. By acquiring knowledge, sharing knowledge, making agreements, and practicing together—including with students—Firda aims to make safety a strong priority.
Speaker: Johan Vrijburg, Firda