Rules, rules, rules. Labs need rules to operate well. Below, we focus on the rules specific to safety, hazards, and risks in labs. There are so many that you need to sort them by hazard types (like chemical hygiene, laser safety, or dress codes, for example).
Guidelines are also in plentiful supply when it comes to lab safety. But what’s the difference between a rule and a guideline? A rule is a mandatory must and a guideline is a voluntary should. Rules are often based on external regulatory requirements or internal policies. Guidelines are often in addition to the requirements and promote best practices. When it comes to lab risks, survival is usually based on those best practices. Petri Dish 60 X 15mm
This comprehensive list can be used as an informative resource for your lab teams. So, review these lab safety rules and guidelines and share them with your lab folks. They just might save a life.
The following are rules that relate to almost every laboratory and should be included in most safety policies. They cover what you should know in the event of an emergency, proper signage, lab safety equipment, safely using laboratory equipment, and basic common-sense rules.
Laboratory housekeeping rules also apply to most facilities and deal with the basic upkeep, tidiness, and maintenance of a safe laboratory.
As you’d expect, laboratory dress codes set a clear policy for the clothing employees should avoid wearing to prevent accidents or injuries in the lab. For example, skirts and shorts might be nice for enjoying the warm weather outside, but quickly become a liability in the lab where skin can be exposed to heat or dangerous chemicals.
Unlike laboratory dress code policies, rules for personal protection cover what employees must be wearing in the lab to protect themselves from various lab hazards, as well as basic hygiene rules to follow to avoid any sort of contamination.
Since almost every lab uses chemicals of some sort, chemical lab safety rules are a must. Following these policies helps employees avoid spills and other accidents, as well as damage to the environment outside of the lab. These rules also set a clear procedure for employees to follow in the event that a spill does occur to ensure it is cleaned up properly and injuries are avoided.
As chemistry labs are one of the most common types, these basic chemistry lab safety rules are relevant to many scientists, dealing with the safe performance of common activities and tasks in the average chemistry lab:
Like almost every other workplace, laboratories contain electronic equipment. Electrical lab safety rules help prevent the misuse of electronic instruments, electric shocks, and other injuries, and ensure that any damaged equipment, cords, or plugs are reported to the appropriate authorities so they can be repaired or replaced.
Perhaps not as common as some of the other lab safety rules listed here, many laboratories do use lasers and it’s important to follow some key rules of thumb to prevent injuries. In particular, lab safety accidents due to reflection are something that many employees may not think about. A clear set of lab safety rules for the use of lasers is essential to ensure that everyone is aware of all hazards and that the appropriate personal protective equipment is worn at all times.
Q: What is the most important lab safety rule?
A: The most important lab safety rule is “Always perform a risk assessment”—it trumps all other science safety rules. Risk assessing is the key to all aspects of lab rules and safety. If you always assess risk, you should be successful in minimizing or even eliminating any bad or unexpected outcomes.
Q: What PPE is needed in the laboratory?
A: PPE in science labs should always include safety glasses or goggles, chemical-resistant gloves, and a lab coat. Other PPE may be needed depending on the hazards and risks in the lab. With PPE, you also need proper lab safety attire—covered from the neck down—no bare arms, legs, or toes.
Q: What is the first step in lab safety?
A: The first step in lab safety is to recognize and respect the hazards and risks. Once you accept the realities of the safety issues, the rest should come naturally. You start to look at the chemicals, equipment, processes, experiments, and controls in a new and more productive way. Open your eyes, then open your mind.
Q: Who is responsible for lab safety?
A: You are, the PI or teacher is, your classmates or other researchers are, EHS is, risk management is, institutional or organizational leadership is, and I am. We all are. It must be a group ethos, part of a true culture of lab safety, where we all care about each other’s safety and openly discuss risk. Without positive group norms and behaviors, we are lost, and risk is ever-present.
Q: What are the legal aspects for consideration when it comes to lab safety?
A: In the US, the standard is “do what a reasonable and prudent person would do to not cause harm.” That is the standard language for negligence, and no one wants to be negligent and cause harm. It’s purposefully an open-ended, performance-based standard of care. As part of this, we have a “duty to warn”—thus the need for signs, labels, training, and effective risk communication.
Pipette Tips © 2024 Lab Manager. All rights reserved.