Laboratory Safety

- Krutika G. Kamble
- G.I.C.E.D
- M.Sc. S.D.E.M
- Sem III
- Roll No. 03
Introduction
• Laboratory safety involves the development of skills and responsibility and must be an
integral part of every Laboratory curriculum.

• Laboratory Safety is a very important aspect of science. Without it, experimentation could
result in very serious injury.

• A clean, uncluttered laboratory is more likely to encourage careful work.

• Development of safety skills may be divided into four emphasis areas.

• Recognize Hazards

• Assess Risks

• Minimize Risks

• Prepare for Emergencies

 Objective
. purpose of this dissertation is to understand the importance of safety in the laboratory,
 The
promote safety awareness and encourage safe working practices in the laboratory through a
literature review and presentation of some generally accepted safe and good laboratory
practices.

 The goal of the dissertation is to initiate a structured process which can subsequently be
improved by specific focus to minimize the risk of injury or illness to the people/ students
using the laboratory by ensuring that they have the training, information, support and
equipment needed to work safely in the laboratory.

 To become acquainted with the lab layout, equipment locations and safety features of the
laboratory.

 To prepare a broad checklist and conduct a preliminary audit of the laboratory being used
during the course and provide broad recommendations for further work in this regard.
Hierarchy of Controls

• Occupational safety and health professionals use

a framework called the “hierarchy of controls” to
select ways of dealing with workplace hazards.

• The hierarchy of controls prioritizes intervention

strategies based on the premise that the best way
to control a hazard is to systematically remove it
from the workplace, rather than relying on
workers to reduce their exposure.
Laboratory Standard
• In 1990, OSHA issued the Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in
Laboratories standard (29 CFR 1910.1450).
• The purpose of the Laboratory standard is to ensure that workers in non-production
laboratories are informed about the hazards of chemicals in their workplace and are
protected from chemical exposures exceeding allowable levels.
• Work with hazardous chemicals outside of laboratories is covered by the Hazard
Communication standard (29 CFR 1910.1200).
• The OSHA Formaldehyde standard (29 CFR 1910.1048) specifically deals with
protecting workers from the hazards associated with exposure to this chemical.
• IS 4209: 2013 is an Indian Standard. This standard recommends a Code of safety for
chemical laboratories.
Program Description

• The Laboratory standard consists of five major elements:

• Hazard identification.

• Chemical Hygiene Plan.

• Information and training.

• Exposure monitoring.

• Medical consultation and examinations.

Hazard Identification
• Each laboratory must identify which hazardous chemicals will be encountered by its
workers.
• All containers for chemicals must be clearly labelled.
• An employer must ensure that workers/ students do not use store, or allow any other
person to use or store, any hazardous substance in his or her laboratory if the container
does not meet the labeling requirements outlined in the Hazard Communication standard,
29 CFR 1910.1200(f).
• Labels on chemical containers must not be removed or defaced.
• Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) for chemicals received by the laboratory must be
supplied by the manufacturer, distributor, or importer and must be maintained and readily
accessible to laboratory workers.
• Employers must have an MSDS in the workplace for each hazardous chemical in use.
MSDS Content:
MSDS sheets must contain:

1. Name of the chemical

2. Manufacturer’s information

3. Hazardous ingredients/identity information

4. Physical/chemical characteristics

5. Fire and explosion hazard data

6. Reactivity data

7. Health hazard data

8. Precautions for safe handling and use

9. Control measures.
Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP)
• The purpose of the CHP is to provide guidelines for prudent practices and procedures for the
use of chemicals in the laboratory.
• The following information must be included in each CHP:
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Criteria for Exposure Control Measures
• Adequacy and Proper Functioning of Fume Hoods and other Protective Equipment
• Information and Training
• Requirement of Prior Approval of Laboratory Procedures
• Medical Consultations and Examinations
• Chemical Hygiene Officer Designation
• Particularly Hazardous Substances
 Information and Training

• Laboratory workers must be provided with information and training relevant to the hazards
of the chemicals present in their laboratory.

• The training must be provided at the time of initial assignment to a laboratory and prior to
assignments involving new exposure situations.
RISK ASSESSMENT
• Risk assessment is about the identification of the hazards involved in an activity and the
preventive measures taken to control these risks. Sometimes, hazards can be identified
by common sense and experience.

• A risk assessment is needed for any activity such as a student experiment, a teacher
demonstration, or outdoor activity and any tasks undertaken by laboratory staff in which
a hazard may be present.
 The procedures of risk assessment
involve:

• Identifying hazards of the substances being used or made.

• Assessing how likely the hazard is to actually cause harm and how serious that harm could be.

• Deciding what control measures to adopt to reduce the risk to an acceptable level.

• e.g. using a micro-scale apparatus, using a smaller quantity of substances, a more diluted
solution, a less hazardous chemical, a lower voltage, a fume cupboard, adopting standard
experimental procedures, training; using PPEs, etc.
GENERAL PRECAUTIONS:
StudentS’ diScipline in the laboratory
• Students should follow strictly the instructions given by the teacher.
• Students should not enter the laboratory unless a teacher is present.
• Students should not remove anything from the laboratory without permission.
• Students should not rush around or play in the laboratory.
• Experiments under way should not be left unattended.
• Laboratory reagents and chemicals should be returned to the appropriate places immediately
after use, with their labels facing the front.
• Students should immediately report all accidents and breakages to their teacher.
• Students should not suck fingers or pencils when in the laboratory since these maybe
contaminated with chemicals as well as germs.
Personal Precautions to be Taken by
All Laboratory Users
• Eating, drinking and smoking are strictly forbidden in the laboratory and preparation
room.
• Long hair, loose clothing items must be properly secured.
• It is not recommended that students wear contact lenses in the laboratory areas.
• Special care is needed when handling chemicals. It is important to foresee the potential
hazards in each case and to take the proper precautions.
• Wash hands after experiments, especially those involving the use of chemicals, living
organisms and radioactive substances.
• Mouth pipetting is strictly forbidden.
• If needles are used, special precautions should be taken to prevent injury
 General Precautions in Acquiring and
Storing Hazardous Chemicals
• All chemicals must be kept in a proper container clearly marked with the names and hazard
warning symbols of the chemicals, preferably date-stamped on date of arrival.
• A clear and updated inventory of chemical stocks, showing their locations, should be kept.
This inventory should be regularly (e.g. annually) updated.
• Hazardous chemicals should be stored in a locked room or cupboard except when the
chemicals are being used in experiments.
• The bulk of hazardous chemicals should be stored in a chemical storeroom if available.
Storage of dangerous goods in the laboratory should not exceed the exempt quantity or the
aggregated quantity specified in the Dangerous Goods(General)Regulations.
• Volatile liquids must be stored in a cool place, away from sunlight or heat sources. Their
containers should never be completely filled.
• It is good practice to store flammable chemicals in fireproof cabinets.
Safety Facilities

• Adequate safety facilities must be provided and kept in a state of instant readiness at all
times.
• Science teachers and laboratory technicians should be familiar with the usage of the safety
facilities.
Safety Screen

• It should be used when demonstrating

experiments involving potentially violent or
exothermic reactions and when working with
glass apparatus under pressure, etc.
• The safety screen should always be kept clean.
A scratched safety screen should be replaced
without delay.

Source: https://safeaidsupplies.com/
Spill Control Kit

• Each laboratory should have at least one spill

control kit to clean up chemical spillage.
• Suitable personal protective equipment should
be worn when using the kit.
• The waste material from clean-up of chemical
spills must be properly disposed of

Source: https://laboratory.scichem.com/
First-aid Box and Eye Wash Unit

• Each laboratory should be equipped with a

first-aid box and an eye wash unit.
• An eye wash is a unit that is used to irrigate
and flush the eyes and does not cover the
entire body.

Source: https://suresafety.com/
Personal Protective Equipment

• Students, teachers and laboratory staff, when working in the laboratory, should wear suitable
personal protective equipment (PPE) in all circumstances wherever there is any potential risk of
bodily injury.
• All PPE should be kept clean and properly maintained in a serviceable condition. Defective PPE
should be replaced immediately.
Safety Spectacles and Goggles

• Safety spectacles must be put on when

conducting experiments involving heating
chemicals, handling acids, alkalis and other
corrosive chemicals, working with glass
apparatus under pressure, carrying out
potentially violent or exothermic reactions, or
where there is any potential risk of eye injury.

Source: https://www.indiamart.com/
Face Shield

• It can be used when dispensing large volumes

of concentrated acids, alkalis or corrosive
chemicals and opening containers which are
under pressure.
• A face shield provides maximum protection
for the eyes and face, with a very wide angle
of vision.

Source:https://www.indiamart.com/
Protective Gloves and Laboratory Coats

http://safety-med.com/ Source: https://www.broncobookstore.com /

 Respirator

• The respirator should be worn when

operations involving hazardous vapours/gases
have to be performed outside a fume
cupboard, e.g. transfer of chemical waste.
• It should also be used when cleaning up spills
of toxic and volatile chemicals. The filter
cartridges should be regularly replaced to
ensure that they are available for immediate
use

Source: https://ehs.ucmerced.edu/
 FIRE PRECAUTIONS
• In case of a fire emergency- remember the acronym R*A*C*E
• Rescue- Without entering a hazardous situation or area, rescue and remove all individuals
from the area.
• Alarm- Activate alarms/alert occupants in the building
• Confine- all doors, windows and access to the affected area must be closed to confine spread
of the fire and smoke. All access must then be restricted to emergency response personnel
only.
• Evacuate - evacuate the area to allow the emergency response crews to fight the fire. Report
to the assigned rally point for a head count.
OR
• Extinguish - attempt to extinguish the fire only if all of the following criteria can or have
been met.
 Fire Extinguisher

• A fire extinguisher should normally be installed

near an exit and be easily accessible, i.e. not more
than 900 mm above the floor.
• The school is required ensure that fire
extinguishers are kept in good condition at all
times, by subscribing to annual inspection
services from contractors.
• Apart from annual inspection, each fire
extinguisher shall undergo a hydraulic pressure
test at least once every five years, by a registered
fire services installation contractor.

Source: https://www.indiamart.com/
Emergency Procedures

• Immediately request emergency response assistance through the University Police

Department under any one of the following circumstances:
• The release requires immediate attention because of imminent danger.
• The release requires evacuation/control of employees beyond the immediate spill area
(e.g. any toxic material spill in a hallway or other public area)
• The release poses a serious threat of fire or explosion.
• The release may cause high levels of exposure to toxic substances that are
uncontained.
• The situation is unclear or important information is lacking.
 Preliminary Audit
• Based on literature review and working in the Laboratory used during the course, a broad checklist was
prepared for a preliminary audit. The audit was conducted and the form of the checklist as well as the
observations (or findings) during the audit are presented in Table No. 1
Sr. No. Laboratory Safety Inspection Form YES No N.A. Remark

General Safety
Lab is maintained secure; door is locked when no one is
1 
in lab.
Appropriate clothing (no shorts or sandals) worn by
2 
everyone in lab.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) (i.e. lab coats, nitrile Except lab coat and
3 
gloves, safety glasses, etc.) is available in labs normal gloves.

Work and storage areas clear of clutter; access to exit is

4 
unrestricted.
5 Food or drinks found in labs. 

6 Hazard sign posted on corridor door. 

Emergency phone
7 Emergency phone numbers & plan posted next to phone.  list and plan not
available.

Please refer point

8 Maintenance of PPE. 
3.
Spark from
9 Record of incidents/ accidents or near miss. 
autoclave.
Table No. 1. Laboratory Inspection Form
Chemical Safety Yes No N.A.. Remarks

10 List of chemicals available. 

11 MSDS sheet of available chemicals 

No eyewash station
12 Eyewash not blocked; can be accessed easily. 
found.

13 Chemical Hygiene Plan is written and readily accessible. 

14 Chemical Hygiene Plan has been reviewed annually 

16 Fume hood free of clutter and stored chemicals. 

17 Appropriate labels are found on all hazardous chemical containers. 

Flammable liquid storage is limited to 25 gallons/room w/o

18 
flammable cabinet.

19 No flammable chemicals stored in regular refrigerator. 

20 All compressed gas cylinders kept in upright position. 

21 All compressed gas cylinders capped when not in use. 

22 Shelves and chemical containers in good condition (no leaks, rust). 

23 Spill control equipment (neutralizers, absorbent pads) are present. 

Table No. 1. Laboratory Inspection Form
Hazardous Waste Yes No N.A. Remarks

24 Are Waste containers for hazardous waste separate from general waste? 

25 Each container is marked with the words “Hazardous Waste”. 

Each container is marked with full chemical names identifying the contents stored
26 
inside (no abbreviations or formulas).

27 Waste containers are kept closed unless adding waste. 

28 Regulated medical waste or "sharps" waste is generated in this area. 

Sharps are disposed in a proper container that is kept closed unless waste is being
29 
added.

Regulated medical waste is placed in red bags within boxes that are properly
30 
labelled or in another suitable container.

Biological Safety

31 Biological materials are not stored in unlocked freezers or refrigerators. 

32 Biohazard signs are posted in all labs handling infectious materials (BSL2 >). 

Lab coats, gowns or scrubs or gloves are in use in labs handling infectious
33 
materials (BSL2 >).

34 Disinfectants are on hand for sanitizing bench tops and treating spills. 
Table No. 1. Laboratory Inspection Form
Radiation Safety yes No N.A. Remarks

If radioactive material is present, is a proper sign posted on the lab


door?

Radioactive waste is generated in this area. 

Mixed waste (e.g. scintillation vials and any other radioactive and

hazardous chemical waste mixture) is generated in this area.

Radioactive and/or mixed waste containers are properly labelled. 

The radioactive material use area is marked properly. 

The radioactive material storage freezer is properly labelled. 

Vials of radioactive material within a freezer are stored in a proper


"lock box".
Table No. 1. Laboratory Inspection Form
Electrical Safety Yes No N.A. Remarks

Electrical cord connected equipment if free from recognized hazards Few of the connections
42 
such as, frayed cords, loose connections, etc. are loose.

43 All equipment is grounded or double insulated 

No evidence of
45 Autoclave(s) inspected and certified as required  inspection and
certification.

Fire Safety

46 Exit free from obstruction. 

47 A fire extinguisher is readily accessible and Inspection date is current. 

48 Is Laboratory personnel is trained about the use of Fire extinguisher. 

49 Presence of Sand Bucket 

50 Presence of Fire Alarms 

Findings

• The findings are presented in the table above and gaps are indicated.
• From the above inspection the Laboratory conditions do not fulfil all the requirements,
hence the necessary changes should be made to meet the above requirements.
• A risk Assessment should be performed on annual basis.
 Conclusion
• Ensuring safety in labs requires proper planning keeping in mind the hazards and
possible deviations.
• Safety is team work and everyone working in the lab has the responsibility to perform
his/her tasks in a manner to ensure not only his/her own safety but also of others who are
working along with them.
• The findings indicate gaps with respect to laboratory safety, with respect to identification
of hazards and assessment of corresponding risks, identification of control measures,
provision of control measures identified, emergency scenario identification, planning to
prevent emergencies and an emergency plan to mitigate the damage and loss to life and
property.
• The hazard identification and risk assessment process will drive the remaining
aforementioned elements so that measures taken are commensurate with the levels and
specifics of risks.
Recommendations
• A process consisting of the following steps should be developed and implemented:-
• A detailed hazard identification and risk assessment of the laboratory.
• Identification of unacceptable risks.
• Identification of control measures.
• Planning for control measures which are not already in place.
• Providing the required control measures.
• Identify training needs and provide training.
• Making a plan to ensure that the provided control measures will be effective at all
times.
• Documentation in terms of recording of incidents, accidents, near misses and
investigation as well as corrective action.
• Emergency planning.
• Develop a system of regular auditing at predefined frequency and taking corrective
action.
• Use of relevant Indian (and International) Standards related to Laboratory Safety.
References

• www.osha.gov
• www.services.bis.gov.in
• ehs.stonybrook.edu
• https://www.usf.edu/
• https://www.ncbs.res.in/sitefiles/labsafety.pdf
• ehs.stonybrook.edu
• coen.boisestate.edu
• www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
• acs-secondary-safety-guidelines
• http://nycosh.org/
 remember…
Safety First!
Thank YOU