Laboratory Safety Hazards

Labs are a common feature in high schools, universities and businesses of all kinds today, and safety is of paramount importance. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets the standards for all forms of work safety in the United States. They have created a specific regulatory body to deal with the requirements of laboratories, due to the particular nature of laboratory work that includes the use of dangerous chemicals, intense temperatures and the possibility of infectious and radioactive materials.

Fire

• The use of fire and heat is common in most labs, but the dangers associated with open fires or sparks are numerous. The misuse of soldering irons, hot plates, flammable liquids and gasses, open burner flames, heat guns and other possible fire dangers can cause explosions, extreme burns and destruction of equipment. It is the responsibility of all laboratory technicians to be aware of such dangers and also where the nearest safety station is in the lab. Some chemical fires are not containable with water extinguishers, so you should have dry-powder extinguishers available at all times.

Bodily Injury

• The prevalence of glass and metal tubing, welding torches, possibility of chemical splashes, large machinery, electrical equipment and an array of other dangers depending on the type of lab make prevention of bodily harm an issue of utmost importance. Be aware of your surroundings and take proper safety precautions. You should always wear eye protection and lab-approved clothing, whether you're a computer hardware tester, medical lab technician, or working on a high-school science project. The chance of eye damage or permanent blindness is a real danger in a lab.

Radiation

• Labs that use electromagnetic field equipment, lasers, and radioactive chemicals and devices must be properly equipped to deal with such hazards. All people working in labs with radioactive substances should be monitored regularly. The University of Princeton has published a chart detailing acceptable rates of exposure, and stresses that the best practice is to follow their As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) Principle. Anyone who regularly works around x-ray diffractometers, various open sources of radiation, or is pregnant should have periodic radiation screens.

Chemical

• Chemicals are one of the most pervasive elements in many laboratories. Some of them are benign, but most often chemicals constitute one of the most dangerous aspects of lab safety. Corrosive substances such as acids, dangerous doses of toxic substances, liquid oxidizers and highly reactive materials all present real dangers to laboratory workers. Read and follow all safety instructions concerning use and handling of chemicals. Make sure to understand the procedures if you or one of your colleagues is involved in a chemical mishap. The dangers of chemicals include ingestion, inhalation, and contact with skin or eyes.

Biological

• Biological hazards are especially prevalent in medical laboratories. The dangers of biologic infections are a concern not only for laboratory workers, but anyone else associated with them, including family, friends, workers outside the laboratory and, in the case of highly infectious agents, society in general. Proper immunization, protective clothing, safety standards, isolation of substances and cleansing before leaving the laboratory are a must. OSHA provides lengthy documentation on the proper procedures to practice while working with biologic agents. Make sure your laboratory follows all of those.