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. Chemistry labs have a selection of chemicals and reagents ranging from highly toxic to generally harmless. Fatal and harmful accidents can result from careless handling or non-compliance with rules and guidelines. The following guidelines apply; According to Ménard and Trant, “risky practices and a reckless attitude toward safety in science are so normalized that low standards in this field are not troubling or even obvious to those inside.” In an effort to change this attitude, we have listed some basic rules and best practices that researchers should follow to ensure a safe laboratory work environment: Dress for the lab. This is a safety rule because your clothes are one of your best forms of accident protection. For each science lab, wear covered shoes, long pants, and hold your hair in the air so it doesn`t fall into your experiment or a flame. As you might expect, laboratory dress codes establish a clear dress policy that employees should avoid to avoid accidents or injuries in the lab. For example, skirts and shorts can be nice to enjoy the warm weather outdoors, but quickly become a stress in the lab, where the skin can be exposed to heat or dangerous chemicals.
Similarly, the laboratory is not the place for horse games. They could break glassware, annoy others, and possibly cause an accident. 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. 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. It is important for your safety and the safety of others to leave your experience in the lab.
Don`t take it home. You could spill or lose a copy or have an accident. That`s how science fiction movies start. In real life, you can hurt someone, start a fire, or lose your lab privileges. The science lab is an inherently dangerous place with fire hazards, dangerous chemicals, and risky procedures. No one wants to have an accident in the laboratory, so it is essential to follow the safety rules of the laboratory. The very first point of action for new employees or students is a general orientation, usually by the lab director or a graduate student. This includes standard operating procedures, safety rules and emergency policies.
It is imperative to take this training seriously, take notes if necessary, request copies of these guidelines for further study, and ask questions if things are unclear. 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, accidents caused by reflection are something that 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. A laboratory is a shared workspace and each person is responsible for ensuring that it is tidy, clean, well maintained and free of contaminants that could affect the work or well-being of laboratory members. The following guidelines ensure a safe and efficient working environment. Regardless of the type of lab you`re in, you should follow general safety rules, as described below: As an Amazon Associate, Conductscience Inc. earns revenue from eligible purchases The modern pipette has a rich history as a standard tool in the Basic safety rules for laboratory behavior should be observed when working in a laboratory. Many of the most common security rules are listed below. Although you should leave lab experiments in the lab if you want to do science at home, there are plenty of safe science experiments you can try. 10 Laboratory Safety Rules Every Researcher Should Follow 8 minutes of reading In case of chemical contact with your skin or general exposure to infectious material such as blood, you must: Although laboratories and institutions are responsible for laboratory safety and there are regulations at the local level, State and federal, individual researchers also have a responsibility to go beyond mere compliance and create a culture of safety and caution 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. 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 policies 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 laboratory protective clothing: Be sure to use PPE in the laboratory at all times. 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.
