What is meant by laboratory safety?

What is meant by laboratory safety?

Laboratory safety involves the development of skills and responsibility and must be an integral part of every chemistry curriculum. This means that safety awareness must be integrated into each laboratory course including research with increasingly broader scope at more advanced levels.

What is the purpose of lab safety?

The goal of the Lab Research Safety Program is to minimize the risk of injury or illness to laboratory workers by ensuring that they have the training, information, support and equipment needed to work safely in the laboratory.

How do you ensure safety in the laboratory?

10 Ways To Create A Safe Laboratory

1. Store Personal Items. Keep all bags and personal items off the ground.
2. No Food or Drinks.
3. Wear personal protective equipment (PPE).
4. Proper Disposal.
5. Minimize Exposure.
6. Label.
7. Minimize Loud Noise.
8. Protect Electrical Equipment.

What is the most important lab safety rule?

The most important lab safety rule is to know the location of and how to use safety equipment, such as a fire extinguisher.

How do you behave in a lab?

Always behave responsibly in the laboratory. Do not run around or play practical jokes. Always check the safety data of any chemicals you are going to use. Never smell, taste or touch chemicals unless instructed to do so.

Why should you never eat or drink in a lab?

Food ingestion and chemically contaminated drinks are sources of chemical exposure. Thus, chemical exposure takes place upon consuming food or beverages stored with chemicals. Therefore, eating or drinking in the lab is strictly forbidden.

How do you dress in a lab?

Clothing: Wear long pants or skirts and closed toed shoes, and tie back long hair. Do not wear shorts, short skirts, sandals, loose clothing, or dangling jewelry. 2. Lab coat: Wear a lab coat that covers the arms.

What happens if you eat in the lab?

Introduction Eating, drinking, gum chewing, or similar activities within laboratories where teaching or research involving toxic substances take place, can result in the accidental ingestion of hazardous materials (chemical, biological, and/or radiological).

Can you chew gum in a lab?

You can’t chew gum in the laboratory. OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogen standard says that “eating, drinking, smoking, applying cosmetics or lip balm, and handling contact lenses are prohibited (in the lab).” It says nothing abut gum, throat lozenges, hard candy, or even chewing tobacco.

Can you drink water in a lab?

Glassware use for laboratory operations should never be used to prepare or consume food or beverages. Laboratory refrigerators, ice chests, cold rooms, ovens, and so forth should not be used for food storage or preparation. Laboratory water sources and deionized laboratory water should not be used as drinking water.

Can I wear shorts in lab?

Always wear clothes that cover and protect your legs down to your ankles. Never wear open toe or open heel shoes such as sandals, flip-flops or clogs. Shorts, skirts and other clothing that does not cover your legs below the lab coat should NOT be worn.

When should you wear goggles in a lab?

Lab workers are required to wear the eye protection at all times when working with hazardous materials. The required eye and face protection for all work with chemicals that can cause eye injury use (i.e., corrosive, formaldehyde, and methylene chloride) are: Goggles with indirect ventilation (marked “ANSIZ87 D3”)

Why should you wear safety goggles in a lab?

In labs, there is the potential for spills and splashes of corrosive chemicals and explosions involving broken glass. For these reasons, eye protection is crucial in the laboratory. You will be issued a pair of safety glasses or goggles during check-in. You must wear safety glasses at all times while in the laboratory.

What should you do if something gets in your eyes during a lab?

If a chemical splashes into your eye, take these steps immediately.

1. Flush your eye with water. Use clean, lukewarm tap water for at least 20 minutes.
2. Wash your hands with soap and water. Thoroughly rinse your hands to be sure no chemical or soap is left on them.
3. Remove contact lenses.