5. Be careful with laboratory equipment: In addition to chemicals, laboratory equipment can also cause accidents if handled incorrectly. Use razor blades with caution, unplug hot plates and turn off Bunsen burners. If you see frayed or damaged power cables, do not touch them and report it immediately to the appropriate authorities. Handle broken glassware thoroughly; Don`t use your hands to pick up the pieces – a broom and dustpan work better. Remember to put all equipment back in place after use. It is important that everyone who works in a testing laboratory follows the safety rules of the laboratory. Labs are inherently dangerous environments, and many things can go wrong between toxic chemicals and fire hazards. Follow these guidelines to protect yourself and your team and avoid unfortunate incidents. Since chemistry labs are one of the most common types, these basic chemistry lab safety rules are relevant to many scientists concerned about safely performing common activities and tasks in an average chemistry lab: A robust set of general laboratory safety rules is essential to avoid laboratory disasters. Lab Manager recently went through the security policies of several labs to identify some of the most common lab safety rules to help you develop or update a set of guidelines for your own lab. Of course, safety rules are only effective if they are enforced, which is why strong laboratory management is so important for a safe laboratory. It is also important to know the right laboratory safety signs and symbols.
1. Wear protective lab clothing: Be sure to always use PPE in the lab. Put on a long-sleeved lab coat, closed shoes and goggles before entering the lab. If you have long hair, it`s best to tie it up and spread it apart when working in the lab. Find out if you need to wear other protective gear or remove accessories such as metal watches, rings, etc. for the work you do. Protective clothing not only reduces the risk of skin and eye damage, but also minimizes the possibility of contamination. If you use organic crops, determine if it is safe to use soap and water for cleaning, or if a stronger agent is needed to destroy dangerous microorganisms in the crops. Also find out about the protocol in your laboratory for the disposal of sharps such as razors, needles, glass containers, etc. Read lab manuals and ask your colleagues or professors if you have any doubts. According to Ménard and Trant, “risky practices and a negligent attitude towards safety in academia are so normalized that low standards in this field are not troubling or even obvious to those in it.” In an effort to change this attitude, we`ve listed some basic rules and best practices that researchers should follow to ensure a safe lab environment: It`s important to pay attention to your lab manager and follow the instructions for the experiment.
Be sure to ask all relevant questions before you start the test so that you can handle the procedure with peace of mind. This step is crucial because if you don`t follow the instructions, you can put yourself or others in the lab at risk. An important lab rule is to know what to do with your experiment when it`s over. Before you start an experiment, you need to know what to do at the end. Don`t leave your mess to the next person to clean up. Here are the safety rules that were mentioned most often in our review of the policies of several laboratories: You should never eat or drink food or drink in the lab. Avoid storing your food in the same refrigerator where you store chemicals or experimental equipment, otherwise, it could easily lead to cross-contamination with chemicals or pathogens. Keep your snacks for the office, not the lab. Do not eat or drink in the scientific laboratory. Do not store your food or beverages in the same refrigerator that contains experiments, chemicals or cultures. Some labs use lasers.
If you are in one, it is very important to follow the laser safety rules, so protect yourself from damage or injury. It is important to establish proper rules for the use of lasers so that everyone knows the dangers. Like almost every other workplace, labs contain electronic devices. Electrical safety regulations help prevent the misuse of electronic instruments, electric shock and other injuries and ensure that damaged equipment, cables or connectors are reported to the relevant authorities so that they can be repaired or replaced. While laboratories and institutions are responsible for laboratory safety and there are regulations at the local, state, and federal levels, individual researchers also have a responsibility to go beyond mere compliance and promote a culture of safety and prudence in the laboratory. This requires a strong commitment to protecting yourself and others around you from injury – by working carefully, carefully and safely in the lab. It is very important to keep all laboratory equipment in the right place and understand how to use it properly. When working in the lab, you should also check and check for safety features in the lab before starting the experiment. Similarly, the laboratory is not the place for horse games.
They could break glassware, annoy others, and possibly cause an accident. Unlike the guidelines in the laboratory dress code, personal protection rules cover what employees must wear in the laboratory to protect themselves from various hazards, as well as the basic hygiene rules to follow to avoid any type of contamination. A standard list of basic laboratory safety rules is set out below and should be followed in any laboratory that uses hazardous materials or processes. These basic rules provide behavioral, health and safety information to avoid laboratory accidents. Laboratory-specific safety rules may be required for certain processes, equipment and materials that should be addressed by laboratory-specific SOPs. When working in the lab, remember to wear your lab coat. You should also wear covered shoes, loose clothing, long pants, and if you have long hair, make sure they are tied back. If necessary, you should also wear personal protective equipment (PPE). This includes goggles, gloves, earmuffs and any other essential PPE required for your experience. This will help minimize risks in the laboratory. 10 Laboratory Safety Rules Every researcher should follow 8 minutes spent reading Always keep experiments and equipment in the laboratory, they should not be taken home.
Leaving the lab with experiments can expose other dangerous chemicals or pathogens and compromise the integrity of your work. Laboratory housekeeping rules also apply to most facilities and deal with the basic maintenance, order, and maintenance of a safe laboratory. Safety rules for lab-specific operations are defined in the appropriate laboratory SOPs. Lilac and memory – loss of smell in the laboratory 4 min read Since almost all laboratories use chemicals of one kind or another, chemical safety rules are indispensable. Following these guidelines helps employees avoid spills and other accidents, as well as environmental damage outside the laboratory. These rules also establish a clear procedure that employees must follow in the event of a spill to ensure they are properly cleaned up and injuries are prevented. Below are rules that apply to almost all labs and should be included in most safety guidelines. They cover what you need to know in an emergency, proper signage, safety equipment, safe use of laboratory equipment, and basic common sense rules. Electronic devices can be found in almost any laboratory.
Be sure to follow electrical safety rules when you are in the lab to avoid accidents. The basic safety rules for laboratory behavior must be observed when working in a laboratory. Many of the most common security rules are listed below. In normal operation, you should never work alone in the laboratory. Perhaps not as common as some of the other laboratory safety rules listed here, many labs use lasers and it`s important to follow some important rules of thumb to avoid injury. In particular, thinking accidents are something many employees may not think about. A clear set of rules for the use of lasers is essential to ensure that everyone is aware of all hazards and that the appropriate personal protective equipment is worn at all times. As you might expect, laboratory dress codes establish a clear dress policy that employees should avoid to avoid accidents or injuries in the lab.
