According to the Occupational Health & Safety Administration, “More than 500,000 workers are employed in laboratories in the U.S. The laboratory environment can be a hazardous place to work. Laboratory workers are exposed to numerous potential hazards.”

Knowing and implementing lab safety practices is imperative. Labs and their employees share the important responsibility of identifying hazards, utilizing hazard controls, and implementing emergency responses.

Laboratory personnel are regularly exposed to physical, chemical physical, chemical, biological, and sometimes radiological hazards. Working with these hazards can put individuals at risk of injury, chemical burns, long-term health issues, and a number of other problems. To safely work in a laboratory environment, all staff should be aware of these hazards, know where to find more information about the hazards, and take necessary precautions.

When a lab employee begins a task, they should always complete a risk assessment to identify hazards and personal risks, controls that need to be in place, and any unexpected challenges that could present during their work. The hierarchy of controls prioritizes hazard mitigation strategies and aims to systematically eliminate or substitute a less hazardous technique, process, or material. If elimination and substitution aren’t feasible, laboratories implement engineering and administrative controls and determine the appropriate level of personal protective equipment (PPE) you need to provide as much protection as necessary.

Lab staff should always use safe work practices, including adequate preparation for and focus on the task, proper chemical and battery storage, and appropriate chemical labeling and waste management.

All labs should have emergency response policies, procedures, and equipment that all staff are aware of and able to locate. Labs should train employees on how to respond to different types of spills and other emergencies, including chemical exposure and inhalation, injuries, and fire.