Regardless of the type of lab and research, certain safety procedures should be non-negotiable in all science labs. If you manage or work in a science lab, you and everyone else should follow these safety practices.
No Food or Drink
The first obvious rule for any chemical lab is to keep all food and drink out. It’s natural to want to refuel while working to maximize efficiency, but you should always leave any snacks or drinks in the break room outside the lab.
Eating and drinking in the lab increases a person’s risk of exposure, and they’re also more likely to contaminate experiments as well. Food or drink in a lab poses a risk to the work and the staff. Therefore, it should be strictly off-limits.
Know Safety Equipment (and How To Use It)
Safety stations and supplies are basic equipment that every lab should have. Safety equipment includes emergency eye-wash and shower stations should anyone come into contact with hazardous substances.
You should also brief and train everyone in the lab on emergency procedures, like how to use these stations and what to do during a spill or exposure. Regularly review these emergency procedures—fire drills and hazardous chemical spills—so everyone is prepared for an emergency.
Always Wear PPE
A lab coat isn’t just for looks—it’s part of every scientist’s personal protective equipment (PPE) that provides essential safety in the lab. When in the lab, staff should have PPE that includes the following articles:
- Lab coat
- Long pants
- Closed-toe shoes with non-slip soles
- Safety glasses/goggles
- Gloves
Even for researchers not working with anything hazardous, PPE should be a requirement and second nature to everyone in the lab.
Emphasize Hygiene
Good hygiene is, of course, a safe practice that every science lab should follow. Good hygiene doesn’t just mean regularly washing hands—although that is critical. Proper hygiene also means keeping personal and other outside items out of the lab—such as coats, backpacks, and personal devices.
These outside items can bring contaminants into the lab and contaminate precious samples and experiments. Therefore, keep these items in a locker outside the lab. If your lab doesn’t have lockers, consider investing in lockable containers to keep personal items outside, ensuring good hygiene.
Never Work Alone
There are times when staff may want to put in some extra hours in the lab, but while the motivation is laudable, working alone is dangerous. Even if the work isn’t considered dangerous, simple errors could become significant health hazards if someone doesn’t have another person to watch out for them.
There should always be at least two people working in a lab at a time, and staff should always notify their supervisor if they enter the lab alone. Lone worker devices are also useful safety tools that many labs utilize if staff ever have to work alone.
