As part of its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—particularly Goal 4 (Quality Education), Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)—Al-Mustaqbal University organized a workshop titled "Risk-Based Laboratory Classification for a Safe and Sustainable Environment."

The workshop aimed to enhance safety and sustainability measures in educational laboratories by classifying them based on the risk level posed by chemical, biological, and physical materials used within them. This initiative contributes to protecting individuals, minimizing environmental risks, and improving resource efficiency.

As part of the university’s Laboratory Quality Improvement Program, the workshop addressed risk mitigation mechanisms and proper safety procedures, providing practical examples of laboratory risk assessments and reviewing probability tables for emergency scenarios. Discussions also covered the impacts of laboratory incidents, which can lead to environmental damage, resource waste, and health hazards, emphasizing the need for preventive measures aligned with sustainability standards.

The workshop highlighted the importance of:

Adhering to environmental safety protocols,
Using sustainable personal protective equipment (PPE),
Training on first aid and eco-friendly safety practices,
Implementing proper waste management strategies to minimize hazardous waste effects.
Additionally, the classification of laboratories was reviewed based on the nature of the materials used, categorizing them into:

Low-risk laboratories: Handling non-toxic, non-explosive substances, reducing environmental impact.
Medium-risk laboratories: Using flammable or reactive materials, requiring specific environmental safety measures.
High-risk laboratories: Dealing with highly toxic or explosive materials, necessitating strict waste management and disposal protocols.
This classification aims to reduce accident risks, minimize hazardous waste, and protect natural resources, aligning with the university’s vision to foster a safe, sustainable, and high-quality scientific environment while ensuring socially and environmentally responsible development.

https://unsdg.un.org/ar/un-in-action/iraq