If you examine your recent accident and injury reports, we bet that the most frequent type of injury will be cuts or lacerations. Given the volume of glassware used, the frequency of daily use, and the diverse types of glassware in many laboratory operations, chances are great that someone is going to have an accident that results in cuts, slashes, or slices. Minor cuts are the most frequent result of laboratory glassware accidents. But more serious accidents present hazards from flying glass, exposure to chemical solutions, and potential fires. Subsequent tips will help one and all to have a safe environment in the laboratory.
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 work with a lab partner. It isn't always possible to perform experiments or duties with a partner. But if and when it is possible, it should be encouraged to work in teams. Two sets of eyes and hands double the chances of successfully catching a mistake or slip up. Human error is expected. Everyone makes mistakes. Working in teams helps keep each other in check. It also allows quick response if someone is injured.
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.
Consequently, it is always advisable to have a budget for lab safety equipment. Maintaining a strict budget is key to any laboratory safety plan. When drafting a new budget or revising current spend, make sure funds are set aside to buy safety equipment. These items include eye wash stations and solution, protective gloves, goggles and safety glasses, ear plugs, splash guards, lab coats, fire extinguishers, and plenty more. It can get costly to purchase and maintain adequate measures. But nothing is more valuable than the well-being and safety of personnel. Budgeting for it will remove future funding concerns and the situation of having to decide what is more important in a pinch. Costs associated with training should also be considered. There may be some production downtime to facilitate training courses. Props, paper handouts, and hourly wages all ring up a bill. Remembering to add these costs to your safety fund will prevent surprises.
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 work with a lab partner. It isn't always possible to perform experiments or duties with a partner. But if and when it is possible, it should be encouraged to work in teams. Two sets of eyes and hands double the chances of successfully catching a mistake or slip up. Human error is expected. Everyone makes mistakes. Working in teams helps keep each other in check. It also allows quick response if someone is injured.
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.
Consequently, it is always advisable to have a budget for lab safety equipment. Maintaining a strict budget is key to any laboratory safety plan. When drafting a new budget or revising current spend, make sure funds are set aside to buy safety equipment. These items include eye wash stations and solution, protective gloves, goggles and safety glasses, ear plugs, splash guards, lab coats, fire extinguishers, and plenty more. It can get costly to purchase and maintain adequate measures. But nothing is more valuable than the well-being and safety of personnel. Budgeting for it will remove future funding concerns and the situation of having to decide what is more important in a pinch. Costs associated with training should also be considered. There may be some production downtime to facilitate training courses. Props, paper handouts, and hourly wages all ring up a bill. Remembering to add these costs to your safety fund will prevent surprises.
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 Best Toxicology Lab Start Up Experts in Fort Worth he suggests you visit his friend's to learn more.
