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.
