Important Points In Lab Training
There is never a better time than now to evaluate your laboratory safety procedures. For larger facilities, this can be a daunting task but necessary nonetheless. Regardless of lab size, we have put together the list of few quick laboratory safety tips. After you've reviewed each of them, you can begin implementation by completing a simple audit. Put into practice these quick tips and you'll be a safety pro in no time!
Primary tip is to have no food or drink in the lab. This is one of the most common bad habits found among personnel and easily one of that hardest to kick. Everyone enjoys a good coffee or ice water while at work. But removing food and drink from the laboratory has multiple benefits. First, it reduces distraction. When performing critical tasks, any distraction is bad. Remove any and all distractions to help prevent injury or loss. Second, food waste can be messy. Messes reduce efficiency and promote risk of contamination. And last but definitely not least, it is a safety best-practice. A worse case example is one coming out of Tacoma, Washington. A young woman died four days after accidentally ingesting a saline solution containing sodium azide during an AP class.
Next tip is to take special care when washing glassware by hand. This single task is the source for most of the injuries. Wear heavy duty gloves and handle glassware delicately. Beware of potentially hot glass. The problem is that glassware looks the same whether it is hot or not. We recommend you develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) that follow routines and set up out of the way areas for allowing hot glassware to cool. Keep appropriate gloves hanging near autoclaves and other apparatus where glassware is routinely heated.
Subsequent tip is to use warning signs. Anything that poses a particular threat should be labelled and highly visible! I can't stress this enough. Bright colors, bold lettering and placement in prominent locations is a must. Consider using warning signs outside of the standard places. Chemicals and solutions are required to be marked by OSHA guidelines. But what about high-decibel noise areas? Trip hazards? And don't forget circuit breakers. Electricity is used in abundance in any laboratory where equipment and instruments are being used. Make sure breakers are clearly marked. Appropriate warning labels and markings are essential to laboratory safety success.
Subsequent tip is to pay attention to fittings. After tubing, the many different types of glass fittings present the next biggest potential for accidental cuts. From the barbed glass nipples to the ground glass joints, when it comes to mating fittings problems arise. Take care when making and undoing connections. Choose hardware that is less prone to "freezing." Use care when dealing with frozen joints. Applying laboratory grease can reduce the likelihood of "freezing." If grease is not suitable, Teflon sleeves may be an option. Soak frozen joints overnight to loosen. Failing the soak, heat may be used. First try a heat gun. Also, a gas torch works well but all flammable solvents must be removed first and proper technique used. Heat the outer surface quickly, hopefully while keeping the inner glass piece from heating too much. Tug gently while heating and do not heat for more than about 30 seconds.
Primary tip is to have no food or drink in the lab. This is one of the most common bad habits found among personnel and easily one of that hardest to kick. Everyone enjoys a good coffee or ice water while at work. But removing food and drink from the laboratory has multiple benefits. First, it reduces distraction. When performing critical tasks, any distraction is bad. Remove any and all distractions to help prevent injury or loss. Second, food waste can be messy. Messes reduce efficiency and promote risk of contamination. And last but definitely not least, it is a safety best-practice. A worse case example is one coming out of Tacoma, Washington. A young woman died four days after accidentally ingesting a saline solution containing sodium azide during an AP class.
Next tip is to take special care when washing glassware by hand. This single task is the source for most of the injuries. Wear heavy duty gloves and handle glassware delicately. Beware of potentially hot glass. The problem is that glassware looks the same whether it is hot or not. We recommend you develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) that follow routines and set up out of the way areas for allowing hot glassware to cool. Keep appropriate gloves hanging near autoclaves and other apparatus where glassware is routinely heated.
Subsequent tip is to use warning signs. Anything that poses a particular threat should be labelled and highly visible! I can't stress this enough. Bright colors, bold lettering and placement in prominent locations is a must. Consider using warning signs outside of the standard places. Chemicals and solutions are required to be marked by OSHA guidelines. But what about high-decibel noise areas? Trip hazards? And don't forget circuit breakers. Electricity is used in abundance in any laboratory where equipment and instruments are being used. Make sure breakers are clearly marked. Appropriate warning labels and markings are essential to laboratory safety success.
Subsequent tip is to pay attention to fittings. After tubing, the many different types of glass fittings present the next biggest potential for accidental cuts. From the barbed glass nipples to the ground glass joints, when it comes to mating fittings problems arise. Take care when making and undoing connections. Choose hardware that is less prone to "freezing." Use care when dealing with frozen joints. Applying laboratory grease can reduce the likelihood of "freezing." If grease is not suitable, Teflon sleeves may be an option. Soak frozen joints overnight to loosen. Failing the soak, heat may be used. First try a heat gun. Also, a gas torch works well but all flammable solvents must be removed first and proper technique used. Heat the outer surface quickly, hopefully while keeping the inner glass piece from heating too much. Tug gently while heating and do not heat for more than about 30 seconds.
About the Author:
Kaira G. Tafoya has spent the past 30 years helping entrepreneurs and organizations with their laboratory start-up endeavors. He now uses his experience and expertise to help groups choose the best laboratory compliance consultant for them. If you would like to learn more about Dallas Toxicology Lab Start Up Experts he suggests you click here to learn more.
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