Safety in the scientific laboratory is of the utmost importance, it’s an environment that can expose researchers to potentially dangerous substances and can contain many kinds of hazards such as biological, radioactive, chemical, and physical. We have compiled some basic rules and best practices that will help researchers maintain a safe working environment in the laboratory.
Handling Chemicals – Unfortunately, injuries from handling chemicals in laboratories happen, and they can be fatal, as is the case with mercury poisoning. Never sniff or taste any liquid, and exercise extreme caution when mixing chemicals. Always double-check the reagent’s name before mixing to be sure it’s correct, then hold the container away from your body while swirling gently. Ideally, you would use a liquid handling robot to remove all possibility of human error from the process! Always make sure all test tubes and other containers are properly labelled, and potentially dangerous chemicals are marked as such.
Protective Attire – It’s important to wear personal protective equipment, or PPE at all times when working in the laboratory. Wear a lab coat with full sleeves, safety goggles, and closed-toe shoes. If you have long hair, keep it tied and out of the way while working in the lab. If the planned work requires you to wear additional protective gear, or to remove personal accessories like rings, bracelets, metal watches, etc. then be sure to do so. Protective attire reduces the risk of damage to your eyes and skin while minimizing any possibility of contamination.
No Food Or Drink – While it may be tempting to sip a cup of coffee or munch on a snack while working at your experiments, don’t do it! Bringing food and drink into the lab can make messes and be a source of distraction. Worse yet, contamination is possible because there may be chemical residues present on the work tables, or even on your hands! Always wash your hands thoroughly before leaving the lab. If you are unwittingly carrying traces of harmful chemicals, bacteria, tissue, etc. they can contaminate other spaces like your workstation or the cafeteria lunch table, and possibly cause serious illness.
Lab Waste Disposal – When it’s time to dispose of chemicals, never pour them down the sink! Designated disposal bins and containers are where they should be dispensed with. Don’t pour unused reagents back into the bottle, they also need to disposed of safely. When working with biological cultures, it’s important to know if using soap and water to clean up is sufficient, or if a stronger cleaning agent should be employed to completely destroy any dangerous microorganisms remaining in the cultures.
Sharp objects like needles, razors, and broken glass containers must also be put in the disposal bin specifically marked for them. Laboratories and institutions are ultimately accountable for safety on their premises, and must follow all government regulations, but it ultimately rests with the individual researchers to implement a culture of caution and safety in their workplace to keep themselves and others around them safe from injury in the laboratory.
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