Laboratory Safety Rules: The Dos and Don’ts 

Knowing your environment and how it works is a mandatory requirement one must satisfy before one’s plentiful handwork can be done. For laboratory workers, dealing with hazardous chemicals, radioactive materials, and fragile glassware is a widespread practice that contains a thousand risks unless a set of rules is obeyed. While every laboratory has slightly different safety measures, there are common rules for each laboratory worker to satisfy to promote best practices. 

The following are rules that contain general procedures regarding laboratory safety procedures, safe utilization of laboratory equipment, and emergency measures. 

• Ensure that one reads all laboratory safety signs, symbols, and fire alarms. Follow the instructions when an accident or emergency occurs. 
• Be aware of the laboratory safety equipment, namely first aid kit, eyewash station, fire extinguisher, and safety shower. Make sure one knows how to effectively use this equipment as well. 
• Know every evacuation procedure as well as laboratory exits and fire alarms. 
• Do not attempt to eat, drink, or smoke in the laboratory. 
• Do not use laboratory glassware as a food or beverage vessel. 
• Check whether one’s laboratory glassware contains cracks before experimenting. Contact one’s laboratory supervisors for further handling. 
• Do not attempt to fix laboratory equipment by yourself if it fails and contact the corresponding technician immediately. 
• Ensure the laboratory is properly ventilated. 
• Never work alone in the laboratory. 

Suci Amelia

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