There is never a better time than now to evaluate your laboratory safety procedures. For larger facilities, this can be a daunting task but necessary nonetheless. Regardless of lab size, we have put together the list of few quick laboratory safety tips. After you've reviewed each of them, you can begin implementation by completing a simple audit. Put into practice these quick tips and you'll be a safety pro in no time!
Primary tip is to have no food or drink in the lab. This is one of the most common bad habits found among personnel and easily one of that hardest to kick. Everyone enjoys a good coffee or ice water while at work. But removing food and drink from the laboratory has multiple benefits. First, it reduces distraction. When performing critical tasks, any distraction is bad. Remove any and all distractions to help prevent injury or loss. Second, food waste can be messy. Messes reduce efficiency and promote risk of contamination. And last but definitely not least, it is a safety best-practice. A worse case example is one coming out of Tacoma, Washington. A young woman died four days after accidentally ingesting a saline solution containing sodium azide during an AP class.
Next tip is to create a Laboratory Safety Manual. When bringing on new staff members, most organizations will provide an employee handbook or some sort of policy guideline. Drafting a clear and concise policy regarding all requirements and best-practices not only acts as a handy reference, but also reduces liability in the event termination must occur. After the team members read the manual, ask that they sign it and make it clear that their signature signifies they understand and will abide by the rules. If you notice foul play or feel that an employee is consistently disregarding safety rules, you may decide it necessary to terminate them. Their signature will provide proof that they read and understood the lab safety manual in the event of legal proceedings.
Subsequent tip is to Conduct Unannounced Inspections. Put together a safety audit checklist and perform random, yet routine inspections. Making them random and unannounced will alleviate the possibility of personnel "tidying up" for the inspection. Nobody likes a pop-quiz. But when safety is a priority, they must be done. Over time, well developed laboratory safety training and inspections will create good habits. These habits are invaluable.
Consequently, it is always advisable to have a budget for lab safety equipment. Maintaining a strict budget is key to any laboratory safety plan. When drafting a new budget or revising current spend, make sure funds are set aside to buy safety equipment. These items include eye wash stations and solution, protective gloves, goggles and safety glasses, ear plugs, splash guards, lab coats, fire extinguishers, and plenty more. It can get costly to purchase and maintain adequate measures. But nothing is more valuable than the well-being and safety of personnel. Budgeting for it will remove future funding concerns and the situation of having to decide what is more important in a pinch. Costs associated with training should also be considered. There may be some production downtime to facilitate training courses. Props, paper handouts, and hourly wages all ring up a bill. Remembering to add these costs to your safety fund will prevent surprises.
Primary tip is to have no food or drink in the lab. This is one of the most common bad habits found among personnel and easily one of that hardest to kick. Everyone enjoys a good coffee or ice water while at work. But removing food and drink from the laboratory has multiple benefits. First, it reduces distraction. When performing critical tasks, any distraction is bad. Remove any and all distractions to help prevent injury or loss. Second, food waste can be messy. Messes reduce efficiency and promote risk of contamination. And last but definitely not least, it is a safety best-practice. A worse case example is one coming out of Tacoma, Washington. A young woman died four days after accidentally ingesting a saline solution containing sodium azide during an AP class.
Next tip is to create a Laboratory Safety Manual. When bringing on new staff members, most organizations will provide an employee handbook or some sort of policy guideline. Drafting a clear and concise policy regarding all requirements and best-practices not only acts as a handy reference, but also reduces liability in the event termination must occur. After the team members read the manual, ask that they sign it and make it clear that their signature signifies they understand and will abide by the rules. If you notice foul play or feel that an employee is consistently disregarding safety rules, you may decide it necessary to terminate them. Their signature will provide proof that they read and understood the lab safety manual in the event of legal proceedings.
Subsequent tip is to Conduct Unannounced Inspections. Put together a safety audit checklist and perform random, yet routine inspections. Making them random and unannounced will alleviate the possibility of personnel "tidying up" for the inspection. Nobody likes a pop-quiz. But when safety is a priority, they must be done. Over time, well developed laboratory safety training and inspections will create good habits. These habits are invaluable.
Consequently, it is always advisable to have a budget for lab safety equipment. Maintaining a strict budget is key to any laboratory safety plan. When drafting a new budget or revising current spend, make sure funds are set aside to buy safety equipment. These items include eye wash stations and solution, protective gloves, goggles and safety glasses, ear plugs, splash guards, lab coats, fire extinguishers, and plenty more. It can get costly to purchase and maintain adequate measures. But nothing is more valuable than the well-being and safety of personnel. Budgeting for it will remove future funding concerns and the situation of having to decide what is more important in a pinch. Costs associated with training should also be considered. There may be some production downtime to facilitate training courses. Props, paper handouts, and hourly wages all ring up a bill. Remembering to add these costs to your safety fund will prevent surprises.
About the Author:
Kaira G. Tafoya has spent the past 30 years helping entrepreneurs and organizations with their laboratory start-up endeavors. He now uses his experience and expertise to help groups choose the best laboratory compliance consultant for them. If you would like to learn more about Dallas Toxicology Lab Start Up Experts he suggests you click here for more information.
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