| Nearly every scientific, chemical, medical, and | | | | A shower for victims of bodily contact with |
| research laboratory around the world must follow | | | | hazardous waste or chemicals should also be made |
| safety guidelines. This is to assure that the laboratory | | | | available in the laboratory. This can reduce severe |
| workers are not only safe, but also aware of | | | | skin damage or possible poisoning due to skin |
| hazardous materials that they may come in contact. | | | | contact. The shower should be in a location that is |
| In most laboratories, there should be a "data sheet" | | | | readily available and easy to get under. Eyewash |
| that has all chemicals and materials listed, their | | | | stations should also be made available, as this may |
| properties, and the possible hazards they may pose | | | | prevent further damage to the eyes when exposed |
| to the environment and health of the laboratory | | | | to hazardous materials or liquids. |
| workers. | | | | Rubber or latex gloves should always be at hand, and |
| Evaluating your laboratory for possible hazardous | | | | their use should be emphasized to the laboratory |
| conditions or materials should be on the forefront of | | | | workers. In medical laboratories, the chance of |
| writing your safety procedures manual. Evaluation | | | | infection or inoculation of a pathogen is greater when |
| begins with inventorying all materials used in the | | | | not using gloves. The gloves should have a suitable |
| laboratory. This may be reagents for testing and | | | | thickness for the job at hand, and not be affected |
| experiments, cleaning solutions, bleaching compounds | | | | by the chemicals in the laboratory. Gloves come in a |
| and peroxides. Anything flammable should also be | | | | great variety and make, such as the tough nitrile |
| considered, especially if there is a possibility of | | | | gloves that deter skin reactions. Regular latex are |
| combustion due to fumes escaping from containers | | | | fine for most laboratory work, but the stronger the |
| or testing equipment. | | | | material, the more reliable the gloves will be. |
| All hazardous liquids should be handled with care, and | | | | Protective clothing does not stop at the laboratory |
| all should be treated as if they were the worst kind | | | | jacket. There is paper pullover clothing to protect the |
| of dangerous chemical. Thick rubber gloves, eye | | | | laboratory workers' clothing. These are made from |
| protection, and protective clothing should round out | | | | different materials, from a waterproof, wax |
| your safety gear. Airflow hoods can also be used to | | | | embedded paper cloth, to a rubberized nylon. |
| eliminate hazardous fumes in the laboratory's air | | | | Whatever your needs are for your hazardous |
| space, and the possible use of mouth and nose filters | | | | laboratory materials, there is a protective contingency |
| should be considered. | | | | made. |
| In the event of an accidental spill of a possible | | | | As long as your laboratory's hazardous liquids and |
| hazardous material or liquid, there should be a safety | | | | materials are labeled and handled according to your |
| guideline procedure to reduce the risk of explosion, | | | | area government's guidelines, there should be no |
| burns due to bodily contact, or overcoming and | | | | issue of possible accidental exposure. Always keep in |
| dangerous fumes. An emergency alarm system | | | | mind: Accidents do happen, but being prepared can |
| should be in place for the possibility of extremely | | | | reduce the chance of hazardous liquids and materials |
| hazardous or toxic conditions. | | | | exposure. |