6 Lab Safety Tips for Your Hospital Lab

Fire dangers, toxic chemicals, and potentially life-threatening procedures all make the hospital lab a dangerous place to work. Safety precautions must be taken at all times in the laboratory, as nobody wants to be the cause of an accident. As a company that provides safety supplies and diagnostic specialty kits to medical facilities, we aim to keep you safe at work. These are a few lab safety tips to follow in your hospital lab.

Familiarize Yourself with the Location of Safety Devices

Know where the safety gear is kept and how to use it in case of an emergency. It’s smart to perform routine maintenance checks on machinery. Does the emergency shower work, for instance? Do you notice any dirt or debris in the water when you use eyewash? Do you need to know the location of emergency supplies? Before beginning an experiment, be sure you’ve read and understood all of the lab’s safety notices.

Wear Proper Lab Attire

Be sure to wear appropriate lab attire. The clothes you wear are one of the best defenses you have against harm. Therefore, following this rule is essential. Wear closed-toe shoes and long pants and tie your hair back if you plan on working with fire or chemicals in a lab. Take the necessary precautions, including donning safety gear. A lab coat and safety glasses are essential. Depending on the specifics of the experiment, you may additionally require things like gloves, a mask, and earplugs.

Don’t Eat or Drink in the Lab

The lab is not the place for a snack break. Stay away from the kitchen and the water cooler in the lab. Avoid putting consumables like food and drink in the fridge beside hazardous materials like chemicals and microorganisms.

Your food could be contaminated if handled by someone with chemical residue or infectious disease on their hands. It could also be contaminated if placed on a lab bench used for multiple experiments.
Your work is also at risk if you decide to have a drink while working. The lab notebook or study notebook you use could get damaged if you accidentally spill something on it.

Label Your Workspace

You must indicate the contents of every storage container. That is vital so that others working around you and everyone who visits the lab are aware of any potential dangers they should be aware of. All labels should include information about potential dangers. In the same way, you should mark any potentially dangerous step in a research procedure.

Don’t Work Alone

No one should ever be left alone in a laboratory during regular procedures. When more people look out for you, you can spot any danger better. Having nearby researchers increases the likelihood of receiving prompt assistance in the event of an unexpected crisis.

Never Put Chemicals in Your Mouth or Nose

No outside food or drink is allowed in the lab, and neither is sampling any of the chemicals or biological cultures that are already there. Some substances can be fatal if even a small amount is ingested or inhaled. Create a habit of labeling glassware before adding the chemical, so you always know what’s inside.

All these are safety tips your hospital lab employees should always remember. When you are looking for the right supplies or diagnostic specialty kits for your hospital or lab, trust Bio Safe Supplies with all of your needs.