The work you do in your laboratory can only be
done if you have the right supplies and the proper safety procedures in place.
Not having a properly stocked and safe lab could spell disaster for any
research project or team in an instant. No matter what work you are doing in
your particular lab, chances are you will be exposed to any number of hazards,
and you have to be sure you and those working in your lab are prepared to deal
with these dangers in a safe and effective manner. Here are some tips to make sure
your lab is safe.
Following Federal
Standards
There are more than
500,000 laboratory workers employed in the United States, according to the United States Department of Labor. In order to protect these individuals, there are federal safety
requirements in place, as well as state and local regulations, all of which
must be followed in each lab. These rules are set to protect lab workers from
the potential hazards they face each time they set foot into a lab. The federal
regulations under OSHA deal specifically with:
- Exposure to
hazardous chemicals
- Air contaminants
- Formaldehyde
- Bloodborne pathogens
- Controlling
hazardous energy
- Protection of the eyes
and face
- Protection of the
respiratory system
As well as a host of
other safety regulations, all of which can be reviewed on the Department of
Labor website.
Knowing How to Handle
Different Emergencies
Part of working in a lab
means knowing how to handle all of the ‘what if’ situations that may arise. For
example, in a lab one could encounter many different kinds of emergencies
ranging from chemical spills to fires. Those working within the labs should be
trained to handle all of the potential situations as well as how they can best
help their coworkers should they be in need of assistance. That means, whenever
you have someone new come on to your team, you should be sure that they know
how to respond to medical emergencies, fires, chemical spills, radioactive
spills, and biohazard spills.
Having the Right
Supplies
Of course, you can have
all the safety measures and protocols in the world in place and they will mean
nothing if you do not have the right laboratory supplies. A properly stocked lab with the right equipment for any given
test or procedure will help to ensure your staff is protected while they do
their work. Using the wrong tools as tests are preformed could create a
dangerous, even deadly situation that could have been avoided if the right
equipment had been available.
Having a
well-functioning lab means being proactive in your preparation for an
emergency. If you are not prepared to deal with an emergency, it could spell
disaster for your lab and those who work within it. Be sure that each of your
lab employees are aware of the safety regulations, have been prepared to deal
with emergencies, and have the right equipment to do their job and your lab
will be that much safer.
Autor Bio:
Chris McHugh is a lab
technician with over 25 years of industry experience. In his free time, Chris
enjoys blogging about current lab projects, proper lab safety, and new lab
technology.