There is never a better time than now to evaluate your laboratory safety procedures. For larger facilities, this can be a daunting task but necessary nonetheless. Regardless of lab size, we have put together the list of few quick laboratory safety tips. After you've reviewed each of them, you can begin implementation by completing a simple audit. Put into practice these quick tips and you'll be a safety pro in no time!
Primary tip is to have no food or drink in the lab. This is one of the most common bad habits found among personnel and easily one of that hardest to kick. Everyone enjoys a good coffee or ice water while at work. But removing food and drink from the laboratory has multiple benefits. First, it reduces distraction. When performing critical tasks, any distraction is bad. Remove any and all distractions to help prevent injury or loss. Second, food waste can be messy. Messes reduce efficiency and promote risk of contamination. And last but definitely not least, it is a safety best-practice. A worse case example is one coming out of Tacoma, Washington. A young woman died four days after accidentally ingesting a saline solution containing sodium azide during an AP class.
Next tip is to take special care when washing glassware by hand. This single task is the source for most of the injuries. Wear heavy duty gloves and handle glassware delicately. Beware of potentially hot glass. The problem is that glassware looks the same whether it is hot or not. We recommend you develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) that follow routines and set up out of the way areas for allowing hot glassware to cool. Keep appropriate gloves hanging near autoclaves and other apparatus where glassware is routinely heated.
Consequent tip is to handle glass tubing carefully. Another common procedure in labs is inserting glass tubing into rubber stoppers or similar operations. These tasks are safer and easier if the glass tube is first lubricated. Laboratory grease is best but may not be suitable for all applications. Remember even deionized water is better than nothing. Be sure to wear appropriate gloves or protect hands with rags or other means. Ditto for plastic tubing. Lubricate the nipple or side arm of the flask and then gently work the tubing on, using gloves of course. The bigger problem we run into here is when removing plastic tubing. Do not try to pull it off. Put the tubing and nipple against a strong support and cut the tubing close to the end of the glass. Finish by then cutting the tubing lengthwise along the nipple and removing the waste material.
Consequently, it is always advisable to practice routine safety drills. As kids, we didn't understand just how valuable those drills were. They prepared us for worst-case scenarios and emergency disasters. If the time ever came where these practices were necessary, we were armed with the training and knowledge we had. Nothing has changed as we get older. As previously mentioned, good habits are essential to ongoing safety practices. Conducting routine drills will prepare students and staff members for emergencies. Identify emergency exits, meeting areas, and individuals that can assist as guides in the event evacuation is necessary. Make sure everyone is completely aware of the plans. Providing handouts or literature with maps is a bonus. Lab managers dread ever having to experience an emergency. But being well prepared is more than half the battle.
Primary tip is to have no food or drink in the lab. This is one of the most common bad habits found among personnel and easily one of that hardest to kick. Everyone enjoys a good coffee or ice water while at work. But removing food and drink from the laboratory has multiple benefits. First, it reduces distraction. When performing critical tasks, any distraction is bad. Remove any and all distractions to help prevent injury or loss. Second, food waste can be messy. Messes reduce efficiency and promote risk of contamination. And last but definitely not least, it is a safety best-practice. A worse case example is one coming out of Tacoma, Washington. A young woman died four days after accidentally ingesting a saline solution containing sodium azide during an AP class.
Next tip is to take special care when washing glassware by hand. This single task is the source for most of the injuries. Wear heavy duty gloves and handle glassware delicately. Beware of potentially hot glass. The problem is that glassware looks the same whether it is hot or not. We recommend you develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) that follow routines and set up out of the way areas for allowing hot glassware to cool. Keep appropriate gloves hanging near autoclaves and other apparatus where glassware is routinely heated.
Consequent tip is to handle glass tubing carefully. Another common procedure in labs is inserting glass tubing into rubber stoppers or similar operations. These tasks are safer and easier if the glass tube is first lubricated. Laboratory grease is best but may not be suitable for all applications. Remember even deionized water is better than nothing. Be sure to wear appropriate gloves or protect hands with rags or other means. Ditto for plastic tubing. Lubricate the nipple or side arm of the flask and then gently work the tubing on, using gloves of course. The bigger problem we run into here is when removing plastic tubing. Do not try to pull it off. Put the tubing and nipple against a strong support and cut the tubing close to the end of the glass. Finish by then cutting the tubing lengthwise along the nipple and removing the waste material.
Consequently, it is always advisable to practice routine safety drills. As kids, we didn't understand just how valuable those drills were. They prepared us for worst-case scenarios and emergency disasters. If the time ever came where these practices were necessary, we were armed with the training and knowledge we had. Nothing has changed as we get older. As previously mentioned, good habits are essential to ongoing safety practices. Conducting routine drills will prepare students and staff members for emergencies. Identify emergency exits, meeting areas, and individuals that can assist as guides in the event evacuation is necessary. Make sure everyone is completely aware of the plans. Providing handouts or literature with maps is a bonus. Lab managers dread ever having to experience an emergency. But being well prepared is more than half the battle.
About the Author:
Kaira G. Tafoya has spent the past 30 years helping entrepreneurs and organizations with their laboratory start-up endeavors. He now uses his experience and expertise to help groups choose the best laboratory compliance consultant for them. If you would like to learn more about Best Toxicology Lab Start Up Experts in Fort Worth he suggests you visit his friend's for more information.
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