The 10 most important Science- lab safety rules

While laboratories are where miracles happen & discoveries take place, they also pose a risk to the people working in it. This makes managing a laboratory not an easy job. Housing modern Science equipment and facilities in a lab needs advanced safety measures to be undertaken apart from the basic rules that need to be followed. Along with proper lab management, here are some safety tips you need to follow in a laboratory environment:
The following rules are applicable to any generic laboratory, whether you are situated in Melbourne or another city.

1. Get familiar with the fire rules: You need not wait for a fire to break in your laboratory to educate yourself about the working of a fire alarm & safety signs. These emergency facilities come with instructions that should be on the top of everyone’s mind who work with you in a lab. Train yourself and the people around the emergency facilities available in the building. Keep helpline numbers handy with you.

2. Use warning signs: If your lab contains carcinogens, radioisotopes, biohazards, and lasers, make sure they are properly marked with the correct warning signs. Indicate the exit doors in your lab clearly. Ensure enough ventilation is present in the lab as well.

3. Space out your equipment: Clutter in a laboratory is a sign of potential danger. Keep all equipment at a safe distance from one another. In case of fire sprinklers, keep an area of 36” diameter clear at all times.

4. Check your lab equipment: While conducting experiments it is important to ensure that you are not only working in a safe environment but also using safe apparatus. Check for any chips or cracks in glassware or damaged apparatus and notify the manager immediately.

5. Take precautions while conducting experiments: One of the basic precautions that we have been taught in school is never to lift any glassware, solutions, or other apparatus above eye level. Also don’t smell or taste any chemicals.

6. Do not leave your experiment unattended. Avoid working alone in a lab as well.

7. No incident in a lab is ‘small’: It is crucial to report any small injury, accident or breakage of equipment to the authorities immediately. Even a small error can have a big reaction in a lab.

8. Dispose of chemical waste and equipments carefully: Managing a laboratory is not just limited to handling everything that goes on inside the lab. You need to also ensure that the laboritical waste is disposed of in the correct manner for the safety of people living around.

9. Dress appropriately: Never leave your hair open in a lab. Avoid wearing dangling jewelry or loose clothing around the experiment. Use footwear that covers your feet and do not put acrylic nails when working around Bunsen burners, lighted splints, matches, etc.

10. Use protective measures: Wear face shields or safety glasses & gloves when working on specific equipment. Always wear a smock or a lab coat. Wash your hands before and after eating or leaving a lab.

We hope these tips help you while setting up your laboratory or working in one. Your safety is in your hands so treat these laboratory precautions with utmost importance. For more assistance, get in touch with Science Equip today. We are here to solve all your laboratory requirements. During the lockdown in Melbourne, we are still servicing & providing deliveries to your doorstep while keeping your safety as our top priority.