Safety Guidelines in the Laboratory

Introduction

A laboratory poses potential risks due to exposure to corrosive and toxic materials, flammable solvents, high pressure gases, explosive chemicals and dangerous microbes. A little care and adherence to prescribed safety guidelines will help avoid laboratory mishaps.

  • Safety goggles, protective wears, gloves, shoes, helmet, and other Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs) should be used when necessary especially when working with hazardous chemicals
  • Only materials needed for the day’s laboratory exercise should be placed on bench work
  • Always familiarize yourself in advance with an experiment before going to the lab
  • No eating, drinking or any other mouth activity while in the lab
  • Personal materials like bags, books, phones should be kept away from work bench to avoid damage or contamination
  • Spill of any form should be attended to immediately by disinfecting the affected area
  • All inoculated culture tubes or petri dishes should be labelled correctly. Labelling include your name, the name of the organism.
  • All glassware should be handled carefully
  • Caution should be taken around Bunsen burner
  • All laboratory equipment and reagents should be maintained properly and returned to the proper place after use.
  • Any accident, cuts, or other injuries should be reported to the instructor or the necessary authority
  • The work bench should be disinfected before and after each lab session
  • Properly discard all used materials on completion of an experiment
  • Always sanitize your hands with disinfectant soap before leaving the lab
  • Other safety measures pertaining to your department or the practical should be observed.

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