What do I need to wear when working with chemicals?
All laboratory personnel are required to wear PPE when working with chemicals. At a minimum this includes pants and closed toe shoes, chemically resistant gloves, a laboratory coat, and eye protection.
What should you wear to work in a lab?
In a lab, you should wear gloves, goggles, and lab coats when working with chemicals and monitoring experiments. Also, you must wear these lab protective gear throughout the entire experiment. Wearing lab safety attire will protect you from exposure to hazardous chemicals and maintain the integrity of the test data.
Do I need to wear gloves in a lab?
Wearing lab safety attire will protect you from exposure to hazardous chemicals and maintain the integrity of the test data. If you do not touch or work directly with chemicals and lab equipment, safety goggles and gloves might not be necessary. You should read and follow the specific instructions of the laboratory.
Do you know when to put on your lab safety gear?
Knowing when to put on your lab safety gear is crucial. But to eliminate contamination and infections, lab workers must also learn the circumstances that don’t require PPE. You should never wear your lab coat, gloves, and safety goggles in offices, dining rooms, or other community areas.
What should be done before starting a laboratory?
Before beginning any laboratory work, determine the hazards and risks associated with the experiment or activity and implement the necessary safety precautions. Ask yourself a hypothetical question before starting work: “What would happen if … ?” Consider the possible contingencies and make preparations to take appropriate emergency actions. For example, what would be the consequences of a loss of electrical power or water pressure? Within each laboratory, all personnel should know the location of emergency equipment and how to use it, be familiar with emergency procedures, and know how to obtain help in an emergency. Laboratories should have a standing operational plan that describes how reactions, chemicals, and other laboratory processes will be handled in the case of a natural disaster or in the event that the individual responsible for laboratory activities is unavailable indefinitely (i.e., in the case of illness or death). Included in the plan should be emergency procedures and actions to be taken in the event that laboratory personnel experience a sudden medical emergency while performing an experiment.
When should you wear chemical splash goggles?
Chemical splash goggles or face shields should be worn when there is a risk of splashing hazardous materials or flying particles.
How to prepare for an experiment?
Before beginning an experiment, know what specific action to take in the event of accidental release of any hazardous substance. Post telephone numbers to call in an emergency or accident in a prominent location. Know the location of all safety equipment and the nearest fire alarm and telephone, and know who to notify in the event of an emergency. Be prepared to provide basic emergency treatment. Keep your co-workers informed of your activities so they can respond appropriately .
How to prevent exposure to airborne substances?
Minimize exposure to chemicals. Do not allow laboratory chemicals to come in contact with skin. Use laboratory chemical hoods and other ventilation devices to prevent exposure to airborne substances whenever possible.
What is the standard for safety glasses?
Safety glasses with side shields provide the minimum protection acceptable for regular use. They must meet the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z87.1-2003 Standard for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection, which specifies minimum lens thickness and impact resistance requirements.
What is the waste generated by laboratory experiments?
Virtually every laboratory experiment generates some waste, which may include such items as used disposable labware, filter media and similar materials, aqueous solutions, and hazardous chemicals. (For more information about disposal of chemical waste, see Chapter 8.)
What is NCBI bookshelf?
NCBI Bookshelf. A service of the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
What are the rules for leaving a lab?
Horseplay, pranks and practical jokes are prohibited and will not be tolerated. If you participate in inappropriate behavior the INSTRUCTOR HAS THE RIGHT TO ASK YOU TO LEAVE THE lab.
How to keep hands away from lab?
As classes in these labs use toxic chemicals, keep your hands away from your face, eyes and mouth while working in the lab. Always wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and soap before leaving the lab to prevent injury or illness. This is part of proper lab procedure.
What should be kept on the workbench?
Work areas should be kept organized and clean at all times. Only necessary items (lab notebook, worksheets, etc.) should be on your workbench. Backpacks and purses must be stored under the benches or against the walls. CLEAN ALL OF YOUR WORK SURFACES AND EQUIPMENT AT THE END OF THE EXPERIMENT. Safely dispose of waste in its proper container and place glassware in the grey bins by the sink. DO NOT STACK GLASSWARE. If the bin is full ask the instructor for another bin.
How to dissect a sharp instrument?
When using sharp objects always carry the tips pointed down and away from you. When dissecting, cut away from your body. Grasp the instrument only by the handle. Never try to catch falling sharp instruments or glassware. When you are finished dissecting, wash and dry your instruments and dissecting pan before storing them in the proper location. Do not leave any instruments in the sink.
Where should preserved biological specimens be disposed of?
Preserved biological specimens should be treated with respect and disposed of in a clear plastic bag and placed inside the hazardous waste drum located in the classroom. This container must be sealed at the end of each dissection.
What to use to transfer liquids?
Use a rubber bulb, pipette, or pi-pump when transferring liquid chemicals. NEVER USE YOUR MOUTH TO PIPETTE!
How often should you check a label before removing it?
CHECK EACH LABEL TWICE before removing any of its contents. Take only what is needed of each chemical. NEVER return unused chemicals to their original container; put it in the waste container.
How to protect your torso in the lab?
Lab coats are a great place to start when it comes to torso protection in the lab. First, make sure lab coats have buttons so that they can be buttoned up when needed for additional protection. Next, try to find a lab coat that has plenty of pockets.
What is the most commonly overlooked area when it comes to laboratory PPE equipment?
One of the most often overlooked areas when it comes to laboratory PPE equipment is the head and ears. There are a lot of laboratories that require specialized personal protective equipment for the head and ear s.
What is PPE for lab workers?
PPE For Laboratory Workers: Types and Requirements. If you work in a laboratory, then you know how important PPE for laboratory workers can be. In a lab setting, there are a lot of dangerous chemicals that are used to carry out a variety of tests. For these reasons, it is critical for everyone to make sure they have the right laboratory PPE ...
Why are nitrile gloves so popular?
This is largely because there has been a rise in the prevalence of latex allergies. Therefore, many people are looking to steer away from this material when it comes to gloves. The result is that nitrile gloves have become more popular. In addition, some people might need to wear additional protection for their feet.
Why is it important to have PPE in a lab?
When it comes to personal protective equipment, this is meant to provide barrier protection between the worker and any dangerous chemicals, substances, and pathogens with which that person might come into contact.
Why are safety glasses important in labs?
Protection for the eyes and face is one of the most important areas of PPE laboratory safety. There are plenty of situations where someone might be working with materials that might be hazardous to the eyes and face. This includes anyone who works with something that is liquid or gaseous in nature. There are lots of goggles that can be used to protect workers from different types of hazards that might be present. Safety glasses are put in place to prevent potential impacts that might strike someone directly. This could include shrapnel if something blows apart. On the other hand, goggles are used to protect someone against splashes that might come from dangerous chemicals. It is important for people to know whether they need safety glasses or safety goggles. There are types of equipment that double as both.
What type of protective equipment is needed for a head?
The most common type of head personal protective equipment is a helmet. Helmets go through extensive testing to make sure they can stand up to the stresses of the dangers to which they might be exposed.
Why do labs wear gloves?
Lab personnel wear personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect them from hazardous agents, conditions, or materials. Gloves worn on the hand prevent injury from direct skin contact with hazardous materials. It is important that the proper type of glove is worn when handling hazardous chemicals. Failure to follow proper precautions ...
Why is it important to wear gloves when handling chemicals?
It is important that the proper type of glove is worn when handling hazardous chemicals. Failure to follow proper precautions when wearing chemical gloves can result in a serious injury due to exposure to a hazardous chemical.
What are nitrile gloves used for?
The nitrile examination gloves currently used in most EETD lab areas only provide hand protection for incidental contact from spills, splashes or overspray of chemicals. Once a chemical comes in contact with the glove it can quickly permeate. The gloves should be immediately removed and replaced.
How long does it take for a chemical glove to permeate?
Some chemicals will travel through or permeate the glove in a few seconds while other chemicals may take a few minutes or days.
What is extended contact chemical gloves?
Extended contact gloves are reusable and made of a thicker material resulting in a longer permeation time.
Do you have to wash extended contact gloves?
Extended contact gloves should be washed after removal and stored in a location away from chemicals or contaminants. Always inspect chemical gloves prior to use. Ensure there are no holes, tears, or visible deterioration. If you suspect they are damaged, do not use and immediately dispose. Always wear BOTH gloves.
Is latex good for skin?
Good for use with water-based materials. Poor protection with solvents. Latex can cause skin reactions.
