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Lab Safety Guidelines

The laboratory environment contains a variety of chemical and physical hazards. It is vital to understand those potential hazards and their safeguards in order to prevent accidents and injuries. Your laboratory should have a written chemical hygiene plan that describes the specific safety procedures to follow. However, although each laboratory may have unique hazards or procedures, certain guidelines are universally applicable.

  1. Personal Safety

    • Wear closed-toe shoes with nonskid soles in the laboratory. Tie back long hair and secure loose clothing and jewelry. Wear designated safety gear when working with hazardous or toxic substances. This may include gloves, safety glasses, goggles and lab coats. Do not eat or drink in the lab or store food in laboratory refrigerators. Wash your hands after handling chemicals and before eating or drinking. You should not work alone in a laboratory. Do not use any equipment that you are not trained to use. Never engage in practical jokes or horseplay.

    General Safety

    • Keep aisles and emergency exits clear. Do not store materials in front of electrical panels, eye washes or fire extinguishers. Clean up any spilled material right away. Use ground fault interruption (GFI)-protected electrical equipment or outlets if used near a water source. Be careful when handling laboratory glassware and dispose of broken glass or sharp objects in designated sharps containers. Keep flammable liquids away from flames or sparks. Do not leave experiments or equipment running unattended. Keep lab bench neat and clean. Put away materials when finished or at the end of the day.

    Chemical Safety

    • Label all chemical containers clearly with the name of the substance. Laboratories are required to have Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) available for all hazardous chemicals. Know the location of your MSDS files and reference them as needed. Handle flammable and volatile chemicals in a fume hood. Secure compressed gas cylinders with a chain or boot so they cannot topple over. Arrange chemical storage so that containers of incompatible materials are kept separate. Most chemicals are hazardous wastes when discarded; follow your laboratory's procedures for disposal.

    Special Hazards

    • Additional special precautions are required when handling specialty materials such as biohazard substances, radioactive isotopes or nanotechnology. These materials require special training and protective equipment. Waste materials with these properties also have specific disposal requirements. Don't handle these materials until you have been properly trained to do so.

    Emergency Procedures

    • Learn your laboratory's specific emergency procedures, including emergency contact numbers. Know the location of safety equipment, such as emergency eyewash or spill kit, and learn how to use them. Identify the closest emergency exit. Your lab should schedule an emergency drill at least once per year. Immediately report any accidents to your instructor or supervisor.

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