Working in a laboratory is no mean feat. It requires a lot of precision and discipline. If you are in a working laboratory, more often than not you will be handling materials and techniques that can cause a lot of damage if you are not careful. Hence, it is of utmost importance to have a clear idea of what constitutes a laboratory hazard and how it can be avoided.
The Biggest Threats In The Lab: Hazards You Need To Know About
When you are working in any laboratory environment, there are always certain risks and hazards that you may encounter. If you know how to protect yourself from these types of issues, then you’ll be able to work more safely within the lab. This article will go over some of the things that you can do to protect yourself from the most common types of dangers that can be found in a working laboratory. Read on to know more in detail!
Physical hazard: Nearly anything in the laboratory can cause physical harm. If you are not careful enough, there can be accidents with moving around mechanized equipment. You may slip and fall or break equipment, causing physical damage to yourself and the technicians around you. These are generally known as physical hazards.
Biological hazard: A working laboratory dealing in live microorganisms or contagious material can be a breeding ground for biological hazards. Uncontained allergens, viruses, and other microbes can affect laboratory workers and harm their health. Further, they can become hosts for such contagions and end up creating a biological hazard to people outside the laboratory as well.
Chemical hazard: The most commonly encountered type of laboratory hazard is related to the multitude of chemicals available in almost every laboratory. Typically, laboratories house dangerous chemicals like disinfectants, corrosive acids, compressed gases, and reactive materials. If not stored properly and handled with care, they can cause severe accidents and chemical hazards.
Don't Be A Danger To Yourself: Identifying And Avoiding Common Laboratory Hazards
As any laboratory expert would tell you, some extremely common laboratory hazards must be avoided at all costs. These can cause burns, damage to organs, long-term illnesses, and even be fatal.
Fire-related hazards: Every working laboratory is subject to extreme temperature conditions. You are likely to work over open flames and Bunsen burners. Such flames can cause severe burns to the skin and even cause third-degree burns. Further, any unattended vapor or steam emanating from beakers or laboratory equipment can cause severe burns. Last but not least, exposed flames and flammable chemicals can be a deadly combination, causing explosions.
Chemical-related hazards: Laboratories are home to extremely useful chemicals. However, when not handled properly, these interesting materials can pose threats to your life. Corrosive materials like acids and compressed gases can cause skin burns and eye injuries. These accidents only take a second to happen. What is worse, chemical injuries can often not be washed away by just applying water and requires expert medical attention.
Cut-related hazards: Since people are expected to extensively work with industry-grade glassware in a working laboratory, cuts and scrapes are common occurrences. However, this can turn serious if you happen to deal with broken glassware. Sharp glass edges and scalpels or other instruments can lead to deep wounds and excessive bleeding.
Protecting Yourself From Working Laboratory Hazards- Points To Note
There is no alternative to being careful in a working laboratory. Being organized and keeping track of the laboratory materials can help you avoid unfortunate accidents. Wearing protective suits, masks and eyewear can help you avoid any unwanted contact with harmful chemicals and gases. When working in a laboratory, it is always advisable to not work alone but work with a partner, to ensure all safety standards are met.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, a working laboratory has certain hazards that may not be obvious to an untrained individual. These may include exposure to hazardous chemicals and equipment that should be treated with care to avoid injury or death. It is important to know how to protect yourself from laboratory hazards and follow the proper safety procedures for working in your lab. Hopefully, this detailed, informative article guided you through the right steps to protect yourself from working laboratory hazards.