Table of Contents
Understanding Laboratory Safety Rules and Guidelines
General Laboratory Safety Guidelines
1. Learn more about the emergency response
2. Before you begin to train
3. Plan your work during the normal hours of work
4. All chemicals in the laboratory should be treated as toxic
5. Follow the guidelines for electrical safety
6. Safety guidelines for laser use
Safety Rules and Guidelines
1. Learn about the pictograms and universal chemical safety codes
2. Comprehend and read chemical MSDSs
3. Label reagent aliquots properly
4. Follow the guidelines regarding chemical storage
Individual Protection Rules, Personal Responsibility
1. Dress code for laboratories
2. Use of PPE in experiments
3. In the event of an injury, emergency response
4. Lab behavior code
Housekeeping Rules, Guidelines, and Collective Responsibility
1. The proper disposal and cleaning of your waste
2. Declutter your aisles and work spaces
3. Follow the laboratory guidelines for the safe storage of chemicals and equipment
4. Keep your lab records current
In conclusion
Understanding Laboratory Safety Rules and Guidelines
Preston Brown, a Texas Tech University student, was working in the highly-energetic nickel hydrazine/perchlorate project (NHP) when he was nearly killed in an accident. He suffered severe injuries to his arms and legs after the NHP explosion.
It is crucial to ensure safety by making sure all lab staff are properly trained and following the guidelines. This will help avoid any potential dangers. These guidelines are designed to make it easier for students and new staff to navigate the lab. This includes safety rules and standard operating procedures. This training is important. Take the time to review it, take notes, ask for copies, and ask for clarifications if necessary.
No matter the lab type, there are safety guidelines that you should follow.
1. Know about emergency procedures It is vital to be aware of where fire extinguishers are stored, how they work, and what to do with them. Your supervisor should be notified of any accidents, regardless of how minor.
2. Before you experiment, train. Ask your supervisor for help if you have any questions about a procedure. Make copies of the SOPs and write down the protocols.
3. Work during your normal work hours. This ensures you’re not working alone, which makes you more vulnerable to injuries or accidents. It is also a good idea to have other people around you in case you run into any potential dangers while conducting your experiments.
4. All chemicals in the laboratory should be treated as toxic. This means there should not be any direct touching, sniffing, tasting, or touching of chemical or reaction mixtures. You should not use your mouth to pipet. Instead, use electronic or rubber pipette pumps or rubber bulbs to suck liquids. Your hands should be thoroughly washed with soap after each experiment.
5. Adhere to electrical safety guidelinesMalfunction of sockets or equipment can lead to injury from electric shocks and damage to the lab from fires. Avoid using electrical extension cords or plugs that have frayed or exposed wires. If a machine causes an electric shock, turn off the power supply immediately and notify the technician or supervisor. Overheating the socket can result in a fire.
6. Safety guidelines for laser use To prevent damage to the lens, you should wear protective eyewear for lasers of classes IIIa, IIIb, or IV. Reflective objects, such as mirrors or jewelry, can be reflected off the skin and cause the laser beam to bounce off the skin. To warn others in the lab, turn on the laser warning light. Even if the laser appears to be off, do not place the beam near your eyes.
Guidelines and Safety Rules For Chemical SafetyChemistry labs use a wide range of chemicals that can cause serious reactions. Every laboratory should have a complete list of chemicals, along with safety guidelines. It should list the chemical type, such as toxic, irritant, or flammable, and also specify how it is to be handled. This will include any specific requirements such as the use or removal of fume chambers.
These guidelines are to be followed:
1. It is important for lab new members to be familiar with the pictograms and universal chemical safety codes. The color blue is for potential health hazards, while yellow indicates unstable chemicals and red means that it’s flammable. Pictograms and symbols can also be used to indicate radioactive substances, carcinogens, and irritants. Everyone who handles these chemicals must know all of these.
2. Make sure you understand and read the MSDSs for any chemical before using it. This includes instructions on how to use the chemical safely, what hazards could occur, as well as how to dispose off spillages and other issues. MSDS must be kept in one place so that lab personnel can quickly access them if they need clarification.
3. Label lab preparations properly with reagents and aliquots It is important to keep them in the right container.
4. Following guidelines for chemical storage is essential. Some substances should be kept away from others to prevent unwanted reactions. Others require special consideration because of their chemical properties. Chemicals should be stored in accordance with their hazard labels. Inflammable chemicals for instance, must be stored at 37oC or away from other reactive chemicals. Additionally, it is a good idea to store corrosive chemicals and volatile and poisonous chemicals in well ventilated cabinets.
Individual Responsibility and Personal Protection RulesEvery member of the laboratory must be aware of and follow the guidelines and rules to reduce the risk of injury or death. These include dress code and use of personal safety equipment.
1. Dress code for laboratory Shorts and short clothing are not recommended for lab use as they can expose your legs to biological or chemical spillages. Flat shoes that are well-fitting and comfortable are best for your feet. You should tie your hair back at the end of your neck. If it happens to swing towards open flames, this could cause injury or contamination. You should remove any jewelry that is on your neck, hands, or hair once you enter the laboratory space.
2. Use PPE during experiments When handling chemicals, gloves are necessary. Some gloves may be more appropriate than others, such as cryogenic gloves for handling low-temperature items. When handling chemicals under pressure, caustic chemicals or reagents near ultraviolet light, eye goggles are a must. Dependent on the type of chemical you are dealing with, additional protection may be necessary.
3. In case of injury, emergency response To clean contaminants from the skin, wash your arms, chest, and face. Eyewash is recommended for those with affected eyes. It is recommended that you have at least 20 minutes of water flowing to your eyes while you keep your eyes open.
4. The lab code of conduct for eating and drinking You are at risk of your food becoming contaminated by chemicals or pathogens. This can lead to data loss and even the possibility of having experiments stop. Personal grooming habits like applying make-up, combing hair, or handling of contact lenses also increase the chances of personal injury or contamination/infection. For a focused and productive workspace, it is essential to maintain a calm and peaceful environment. Distractions can be caused by loud chattering, laughter, screams or sudden movements in the laboratory.
Housekeeping Rules and Guidelines, Collective Responsibility and Housekeeping Rules These guidelines will help ensure that your workplace is safe and productive.
1. Cleaning and disposal Some laboratories have designated glassware cleaners. This means that you must transfer the item to the central cleaning stations. Others prefer ‘use and wash’.
Non-toxic spillages should be reported to the authorities immediately and cleaned up as soon as possible to prevent injuries from slips, falls and other accidents. Many labs have separate disposal instructions for different types of waste. For example, one bin could be for paper and gloves, while another can hold plastic and sharp items. You should dispose of your items in accordance with the guidelines.
2. Reduce tripping hazards by clearing out aisles and work spaces. This is particularly important in an emergency situation when people must evacuate quickly. Avoid cluttering workspaces by removing glassware, chemicals, and equipment from the benches. This will not only make your work easier but it also decreases the likelihood of you knocking over or spilling items. Clear obstructions should not be a problem for emergency exits or emergency response items such as fire extinguishers and showers.
3. Use the lab guidelines to store equipment and chemicals. Follow the lab guidelines to optimize your workspace. The most used items should be kept closer to the shelves than the less used ones.
4. Keep your lab records current. Many labs keep track of the usage of specific items. This information can be used to place new orders or to monitor usage. Make sure you accurately identify any reagents and stock items. When you are done with your experiments, turn off any machines.
It is important to adhere to safety guidelines and rules in laboratory spaces. There are constant reports of lab accidents. This will prevent lab personnel from suffering life-altering injuries, ensure data integrity and minimize waste.
