what are the safety precautions in laboratory

What are the safety precautions in laboratory?

• Turn off gas when not in use.
• Read labels carefully.
• Wear gloves when using any hazardous or toxic agent.
• Disposal - Students are responsible for the proper disposal of used material if any in appropriate containers.
• Wear safety glasses/goggles.
• Tie back long hair.

Full Answer

What are the safety precautionary measures in the laboratory?

These include:

• Wear protective safety glasses, gloves and laboratory coat when processing specimens.
• Use biological safety cabinets as needed.
• Do not eat, drink, smoke, apply cosmetics or manipulate contact lenses in work area.
• Decontaminate work surface at least once a day and after any spill of potentially infectious material.

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What are the necessary precautions in the laboratory?

• Limit the use of needles and other sharps as much as possible
• Phlebotomy, procedures, and laboratory testing should be limited to the minimum necessary for essential diagnostic evaluation and medical care
• All needles and sharps should be handled with extreme care and disposed in puncture-proof, sealed containers

What are the safety concerns in the laboratory?

• Know where the nearest emergency eyewash and showers are, and how to use them.
• Know at least two exits from the laboratory area in case of an emergency.
• In the event of an emergency, pull the nearest "Pull BOX", evacuate the area, and close all doors.

What laboratory safety measures should be taken?

Laboratory safety glasses or goggles should be worn in any area where chemicals are used or stored. They should also be worn any time there is a chance of splashes or particulates to enter the eye. Closed toe shoes will be worn at all times in the laboratory. Perforated shoes or sandals are not appropriate.

What are the 10 lab safety rules?

The 10 Most Important Lab Safety Rulesof 10. The Most Important Lab Safety Rule. ... of 10. Know the Location of Safety Equipment. ... of 10. Dress for the Lab. ... of 10. Don't Eat or Drink in the Laboratory. ... of 10. Don't Taste or Sniff Chemicals. ... of 10. Don't Play Mad Scientist in the Laboratory. ... of 10. Dispose of Lab Waste Properly. ... of 10.More items...•

What is safety precautions in the laboratory?

Dress for work in the laboratory. Wear clothing and shoes that cover exposed skin and protect you from potential splashes. Tie back long hair, jewelry, or anything that may catch in equipment. Never eat food, drink beverages, chew gum, apply cosmetics (including lip balm), or handle contact lenses in the laboratory.

What are the safety precaution?

a precaution that is taken in order to ensure that something is safe and not dangerous.

Why safety precautions is important in laboratory?

From chemicals and compressed gases to glassware, electrical equipment, cryogens and vacuum pumps, laboratories are filled with dangerous tools. Keep yourself and those around you safe from injury by working carefully, safely and attentively.

What is the most important lab safety rule?

The most important lab safety rule is to know the location of and how to use safety equipment, such as a fire extinguisher.

What are the 7 safety precautions?

7 Safety Rules to Avoid Workplace InjuryUse the proper tool for the job.Always wear the proper PPE for the work task.Never work on live equipment.Make sure chemicals are properly labeled and stored.Communicate safety hazards to other personnel.Stop work when needed to address hazards.

What are the 5 precautions?

Standard PrecautionsHand hygiene.Use of personal protective equipment (e.g., gloves, masks, eyewear).Respiratory hygiene / cough etiquette.Sharps safety (engineering and work practice controls).Safe injection practices (i.e., aseptic technique for parenteral medications).Sterile instruments and devices.More items...

What are the six safety precautions?

Basic Safety RulesSTAY ALERT - and stay alive. ... WEAR THE RIGHT CLOTHES - work clothes should fit properly. ... USE THE RIGHT TOOLS - if you need a hammer, get a hammer. ... LEARN HOW TO LIFT - Lifting takes more than muscle; it is an art.More items...

What are the 5 safety features in the laboratory?

Safety goggles. As one of the most sensitive parts of your body, your eyes are especially vulnerable when you're working with hazardous chemicals and materials. ... Eyewash stations. ... Safety showers. ... Lab coats. ... Protective gloves. ... Fire extinguishers. ... Chemical fume hoods. ... First aid kits.More items...•

What are the safety rules in a laboratory?

General safety rules in the laboratory. Be mindful of the safety signs and fire alarm. In case of an emergency, make sure you strictly follow safety and escape instructions. Make sure you know your building’s evacuation procedures.

What should lab personnel wear to protect themselves from lab hazards?

Personal Protection Safety Measures. It pertains to what lab personnel should wear to protect themselves from lab hazards and to observe proper hygiene, and avoid contamination. Wear face shields and safety glasses when working with hazardous materials, chemicals, heat, and glassware.

What to do if lab equipment is not working properly?

Inform your lab supervisor should there be any damage to the equipment. Use only equipment you are trained to handle. If you don’t know how to use it, then don’t use it to avoid any problems. Report to the lab technician if any laboratory tools and equipment are not functioning properly.

Why is it important to have chemicals in the lab?

Safety rules in handling chemicals in the laboratory have to be followed to avoid spills and chemical-related accidents. All chemicals in the lab setting must be treated as dangerous. Make sure that chemicals will not come in contact with your skin.

What is the dress code for a lab?

Laboratory Dress Code. There are clothing materials that must be worn inside the laboratory and there are those that need not be worn such as shorts and skirts. When going inside the laboratory, make sure that the following is carefully observed: Hair that is chin-length or longer must be tied back.

What is a laboratory in 2021?

Last updated on May 6, 2021. A laboratory is a place bound by rules to ensure the safety of everyone. There are precautions to observe and safety measures to follow. Safety rules in the laboratory are all the more crucial, especially now that we are in the midst of the pandemic. The following has to be observed when you are in the laboratory:

When to wear a lab coat?

A smock or lab coat is worn when performing laboratory experiments. Wash your hands before entering and after leaving the lab using clean water and soap. When working with chemicals and performing experiments in general, you should refrain from touching your eyes, mouth, face, and other sensitive areas of the body.

What are the rules for a lab?

Why is this the most important rule? If you don't follow it: 1 You endanger yourself and others in the lab. 2 You could easily ruin your experiment. 3 You put the lab at risk of an accident, which could damage equipment as well as harm people. 4 You could get suspended (if you're a student) or fired (if you're a researcher).

What happens if you drink in the lab?

Eating and drinking in the lab is a form of distraction. If you are eating, you aren't concentrating on your work. If you're used to drinking liquids in the lab, you might accidentally reach for and drink the wrong liquid. This is especially true if you did not label your glassware or used lab glassware as dishes. 05.

Can you lose lab privileges in science fiction?

You could have a spill or lose a specimen or have an accident. This is how science fiction movies start. In real life, you can hurt someone, cause a fire, or lose your lab privileges. While you should leave lab experiments at the lab, if you want to do science at home, there are many safe science experiments you can try.

Can you smell chemicals in a lab?

Not only should you not bring in food or drinks, but you shouldn't taste or smell chemicals or biological cultures already in the lab. Tasting or smelling some chemicals can be dangerous or even deadly. The best way to know what's in a container is to label it, so get in the habit of making a label for glassware before adding the chemical.

Is a science lab dangerous?

Updated September 05, 2019. 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 lab, so it's imperative to follow lab safety rules . 01. of 10.

Can you eat in the lab?

Don't Eat or Drink in the Laboratory. Save your snacking for the office, not the lab. Don't eat or drink in the science laboratory. Don't store your food or beverages in the same refrigerator that contains experiments, chemicals, or cultures. There is too much risk of contaminating your food.

Can you touch a lab bench?

You could touch it with a hand that is coated with chemicals or pathogens or set it down on a lab bench that has residue from past experiments. Having drinks in the lab risks your experiment, too. You could spill a drink on your research or lab notebook. Eating and drinking in the lab is a form of distraction.

What are safety precautions in the lab?

Safety precautions in the lab help prevent or avoid accidents and give guidance about what to do in case of an emergency. Like the Scout motto says: Be Prepared. Lists of rules and procedural protocols are common tools to clarify lab safety precautions.

What are the lab safety rules?

What Are the Laboratory Safety Rules and Protocols? General lab safety rules cover the common causes of workplace injuries such a trips and falls, repetitive stress injuries, and falling objects. Additional rules should address the specific hazards of the lab environment (s) at your workplace.

What is the importance of situational awareness in lab safety?

Pairing safety precautions for lab workers with situational awareness will ensure that your workforce is fully prepared for known and as-yet-unknown safety threats.

What is situational awareness?

Situational awareness, or SA, has three components: perception of your environment, understanding of your environment, and conception of what is going to—or could—happen. It’s about being aware, being vigilant, and developing forethought. This all contributes to sound decision-making in the moment. It’s a way to be prepared for ...

Do lab workers need safety precautions?

Safety precautions for lab workers are a great start. However, people aren’t robots, and the world constantly changes, creating unpredictable events. Yes, there are emergency preparedness plans, for when something really bad happens. But what about when a hazard presents itself in the moment, after you’ve attended to your precautions ...

What are the lab safety rules?

General lab safety rules. The following are rules that relate to almost every laboratory and should be included in most safety policies. They cover what you should know in the event of an emergency, proper signage, safety equipment, safely using laboratory equipment, and basic common-sense rules. Be sure to read all fire alarm and safety signs ...

When handling any toxic or hazardous agent, always wear the appropriate gloves. When performing laboratory experiments, should always wear a

When handling any toxic or hazardous agent, always wear the appropriate gloves. When performing laboratory experiments, you should always wear a smock or lab coat. Before leaving the lab or eating, always wash your hands. After performing an experiment, you should always wash your hands with soap and water.

What to do if you leave the lab?

If you are the last person to leave the lab, make sure to lock all the doors and turn off all ignition sources. Do not work alone in the lab. Never leave an ongoing experiment unattended. Never lift any glassware, solutions, or other types of apparatus above eye level. Never smell or taste chemicals.

What to do if glassware is damaged in lab?

Notify your lab supervisor of any damaged glassware so it can be properly disposed of. Never use lab equipment that you are not approved or trained by your supervisor to operate. If an instrument or piece of equipment fails during use, or isn't operating properly, report the issue to a technician right away.

Why is it important to have clear rules for lasers?

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. Even if you are certain that a laser beam is "eye" safe or low power, you should never look into it.

How to keep your work area clean?

Always keep your work area (s) tidy and clean. Make sure that all eye wash stations, emergency showers, fire extinguishers, and exits are always unobstructed and accessible. Only materials you require for your work should be kept in your work area. Everything else should be stored safely out of the way.

What should be marked with the appropriate warning signs in a lab?

Know emergency phone numbers to use to call for help in case of an emergency. Lab areas containing carcinogens, radioisotopes, biohazards, and lasers should be properly marked with the appropriate warning signs. Open flames should never be used in the laboratory unless you have permission from a qualified supervisor.

What are the basic safety rules for a laboratory?

A standard list of basic laboratory safety rules are given below, and must be followed in every laboratory that uses hazardous materials or processes. These basic rules provide behavior, hygiene , and safety information to avoid accidents in the laboratory. Laboratory specific safety rules may be required ...

What are laboratory specific safety rules?

Laboratory specific safety rules may be required for specific processes, equipment, and materials, which should be addressed by laboratory specific SOPs.

What should be done before beginning any work?

Determine the potential hazards and appropriate safety precautions before beginning any work. Procedures should be developed that minimize the formation and dispersion of aerosols. If an unknown chemical is produced in the laboratory, the material should be considered hazardous. Do not pour chemicals down drains.

How to avoid distracting people working in the laboratory?

Avoid distracting or startling persons working in the laboratory. Use equipment only for its designated purpose. Combine reagents in their appropriate order, such as adding acid to water. Avoid adding solids to hot liquids. All laboratory personnel should place emphasis on safety and chemical hygiene at all times.

What should be maintained for the life of the equipment?

Equipment should be maintained according to the manufacturer’s requirements and records of certification, maintenance, or repairs should be maintained for the life of the equipment. Designated and well-marked waste storage locations are necessary.

Where is the safety equipment located in a lab?

The safety equipment may be located in the hallway near the laboratory entrance. Know emergency exit routes. Avoid skin and eye contact with all chemicals. Minimize all chemical exposures. No horseplay will be tolerated. Assume that all chemicals of unknown toxicity are highly toxic.

Can you use unlabeled chemicals?

Unlabeled chemicals should never be used. Do not taste or intentionally sniff chemicals. Never consume and/or store food or beverages or apply cosmetics in areas where hazardous chemicalsare used or stored. Do not use mouth suction for pipetting or starting a siphon.

What are the hazards of a laboratory?

These hazards are present in various sources throughout the laboratory such as blood and body fluids, culture specimens, body tis-sue and cadavers, and laboratory animals , as well as other workers.

What training is required for a laboratory worker?

Laboratory workers must be provided with infor-mation and training relevant to the hazards of the chemicals present in their laboratory. The training must be provided at the time of initial assignment to a laboratory and prior to assignments involving new exposure situations.

What are hazardous chemicals?

Hazardous chemicals present physical and/or health threats to workers in clinical, industrial, and academic laboratories. Laboratory chemicals in-clude cancer-causing agents (carcinogens), toxins (e.g., those affecting the liver, kidney, and nervous system), irritants, corrosives, sensitizers, as well as agents that act on the blood system or damage the lungs, skin, eyes, or mucous membranes. OSHA rules regulate exposures to approximately 400 sub-stances.

How long do employers have to keep exposure records?

Employers generally must maintain worker exposure records for 30 years and medical records for the duration of the worker’s employment plus 30 years, unless one of the exemptions listed in 29 CFR 1910.1020(d)(1)(i)(A)-(C) applies. Such re-cords must be maintained, transferred, and made available, in accord with 29 CFR 1910.1020, to an in-dividual’s physician or made available to the worker or his/her designated representative upon request.

What is a laboratory standard?

commonly referred to as the Laboratory standard, requires that the employer designate a Chemical Hygiene Officer and have a written Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP), and actively verify that it remains effective. In addition to the information provided at page 9 of this document, the following documents are available in either electronic or hard copy formats or both.

What are lab workers allergic to?

One of the most common chemicals that laboratory workers are exposed to is latex, a plant protein. The most common cause of latex allergy is direct contact with latex, a natural plant derivative used in making certain disposable gloves and other prod-ucts. Some healthcare workers have been deter-mined to be latex sensitive, with reactions ranging from localized dermatitis (skin irritation) to imme-diate, possibly life-threatening reactions. Under OSHA’s Personal Protective Equipment standard, 29 CFR 1910.132, the employer must ensure that appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is accessible at the worksite or issued to workers. Latex-free gloves, glove liners, powder-free gloves, or other similar alternatives are obtainable and must be readily accessible to those workers who are allergic to latex gloves or other latex-containing PPE, 29 CFR 1910.1030(c)(3)(iii).

What is a chemical hygiene plan?

commonly referred to as the Laboratory standard, requires that the employer designate a Chemical Hygiene Officer and have a written Chemical Hygiene Plan ( CHP), and actively verify that it remains effective . The CHP must include provisions for worker training, chemical exposure monitoring where appropriate, medical consultation when exposure occurs, criteria for the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and engineering controls, special precautions for particularly hazardous substances, and a requirement for a Chemical Hygiene Officer responsible for implementation of the CHP. The CHP must be tailored to reflect the specific chemical hazards present in the laboratory where it is to be used. Laboratory personnel must receive training regarding the Laboratory standard, the CHP, and other laboratory safety practices, including exposure detection, physical and health hazards associated with chemicals, and protective measures.