Laboratory Techniques: Health and Safety
Laboratory Techniques: Health and Safety
General Lab Safety Rules
- Never work alone in the lab. Always ensure there's at least one other person present.
- Know the location and proper usage of all safety equipment, including the first aid kit, fire extinguisher, eye wash station, and safety shower.
- Always wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). This should include a lab coat, safety glasses and gloves.
- Be cautious of loose clothing and dangling items, they could get caught in equipment.
- No eating, drinking, or applying of cosmetics in the lab to avoid chemical contamination.
- Always wash hands thoroughly with soap after handling biological or chemical materials.
Handling Chemicals
- Read Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for each chemical used. These explain the potential hazards and correct handling procedures.
- Never smell or taste chemicals.
- Always add acid to water when diluting sulfuric or hydrochloric acid, rather than the other way around, to prevent a violent exothermic reaction.
- Only take as much chemicals or reagent as needed, avoid waste generation.
Handling Biological Samples
- Always handle biological samples with proper aseptic technique to avoid contamination.
- Treat all samples as potentially infectious.
- Sterilise all equipment used for handling biological samples before and after use.
Disposal Procedures
- All waste material should be disposed of in the appropriate waste containers as per lab regulations.
- Biological wastes and chemicals must not be disposed of down the sink or in regular rubbish bins. They must be placed in designated waste containers.
- Broken glass should not be picked up directly with hands but with a brush and dustpan, and should be disposed of in a designated sharps container.
Emergency Procedures
- In case of a fire, know the location of all fire exits and evacuation routes.
- Know the proper usage of a fire extinguisher, remember the acronym PASS: Pull, Aim, Squeeze and Sweep.
- In case of a chemical splash in the eyes or on the skin, use the eye wash station or safety shower immediately and inform a supervisor.
Health and safety in the laboratory should never be taken lightly. Always ensure to exercise caution and to follow the above guidelines when working in a laboratory environment.