Safety Lab Practices: Prevent Injuries in the Workplace!
Basic lab housekeeping skills can prevent a number of incidents that can otherwise cause injuries or worse. Here is what you can do to keep lab workers safe.
Safety Lab Practices: Prevent Injuries in the Workplace! | 360training.com from 360trainingElearning
Keep food and drinks out of the lab
- Food and drink should not be allowed in a lab that has hazardous chemicals
- Food should be consumed in areas that are completely separate from the lab.
- If food is allowed on the premises, it should be kept separate by walls and doors.
- If possible, a portion of the lab should be screened off as a ‘clean area’ for eating and drinking.
- If the lab is large enough, a cafeteria should be made to keep food out of the area.
Dispose of all clutter
- Clutter is a fire hazard and can cause injuries if it is not organized and kept out of the work area.
- Keep all combustible materials such as paper and cardboard out of the lab or reduce its use.
- Discard chemical waste in a sealed waste disposal bin. All waste should be discarded daily in a safe manner.
Use cell phones and ear buds responsibly
- Workers should not use cell phones or MP3 players while handling hazardous material in the lab
- Personal listening devices that require ear buds should not be allowed in the lab. Workers may miss out on important announcements and emergency alerts otherwise.
- Workers can use radios or CD players as long as they use speakers in the lab.
Other safe lab practices
- All infectious material should be decontaminated before disposal.
- Reduce the production of aerosols and sprays
- Workers should always wear personal protective equipment in the lab