Safety in the Laboratory
Safety Committee
A Safety Committee must be in place.
A Laboratory Safety Manual should be provided to all Laboratory Chemist.
Safety Training should be conducted periodically.
All incidents & near miss incidents must be reported to the Safety Committee.
At least some of the Team members should be trained in First Aid.
Emergency
Know the locations of laboratory safety showers, eyewash stations, and fire extinguishers.
Evacuation plan should be in place. Know emergency exit routes.
Contact nos. of nearest Hospital, Ambulance, Doctor, Fire Brigade should be displayed prominently.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Apron, Safety glasses, Gloves & closed toe shoes should be worn.
Do not wear Contact lenses around hazardous chemicals – even when wearing safety glasses.
Long hair and loose clothing must be pulled back and secured from entanglement.
Clothing made of synthetic fibers should not be worn while working with flammable liquids.
Avoid wearing jewelry in the lab as this can pose multiple safety hazards.
Do not use cell phone in the active portion of the laboratory.
Toxic & Hazardous Chemicals
All containers must have appropriate labels. Unlabeled chemicals should not be used.
Do not leave containers of chemicals open.
Assume that all chemicals of unknown toxicity are highly toxic.
Post warning signs when unusual hazards, hazardous materials, hazardous equipment, or other special conditions are present.
Perform work with hazardous chemicals in a fume hood to reduce potential exposure.
Determine the potential hazards and take appropriate safety precautions before beginning any work.
Do not work alone in a laboratory if the procedures being conducted are hazardous.
Minimize chemical exposure
Avoid skin and eye contact with all chemicals.
Do not taste or sniff chemicals.
Do not consume and/or store food, beverages or cosmetics in areas where hazardous chemicals are used or stored.
Do not use mouth suction for Pipetting.
Equipment
Use equipment only for its designated purpose.
All equipment should be regularly inspected for wear or deterioration.
Equipment should be maintained according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and records of certification, maintenance, or repairs should be maintained.
Waste management
Designated and well-marked waste storage locations are necessary.
Do not pour chemicals down drains. Do NOT utilize the sewer for chemical waste disposal.
Laboratory waste should be appropriately disposed as per local regulations.
