Chemistry Laboratory

Safety
Summary of the Main Factors

Edited By:
Asst. Lec. Marowah Hameed
Why does it matter?
 Safe working
protects:
 You
 Other lab workers
 Cleaners
 Visitors
 Your work
How to do a Risk Assessment?

 Determine hazards and evaluate

risks
 Use all relevant available data
 Determine controls needed to
minimise those risks
 Document the assessment
 Agree it with your supervisor
 Use those control measures

You will receive specific training on how to do this

in your department
Control Measures (in order of preference)

1. Use a less risky

substance
2. Use a safer form of
that substance (eg
solution instead of
powder)
Control Measures (in order of preference)
3. Totally enclose the
process (eg a glove-
box)
4. Partially enclose the
process (eg with a
fume cupboard)
5. Ensure good general
ventilation
Control Measures (in order of preference)
6. Safe systems of work
7. Reduce exposure
times, increase
distance, reduce
volumes
8. Personal protective
equipment (as a last
resort for primary protection)
Protecting yourself
 Wear the clothing and
protective wear identified
in your risk assessment
 Laboratory coats must be
kept fastened
 Don’t wear sandals or
open shoes
 Long hair must be tied
back
Protecting yourself - gloves
 There are many different types
of protective glove
 Use the correct ones for the
job you will be doing
 Remember that you need to
select chemical protection
gloves according to the
materials and/or substances
with which you will be working
 Remove your gloves before
using instruments, telephone,
and leaving the laboratory
Laboratory hygiene
 Never eat, drink or smoke
in a laboratory
 Never apply cosmetics
 Never touch your face,
mouth or eyes
 Never suck pens or chew
pencils
 Always wash your hands
before you leave and
especially before eating
What are the hazards in a
laboratory?
Various type of hazards are encountered
in the operation of a Clinical Laboratory.

The major categories of hazards

encountered include.

1) Chemical
2) Biological
3) Electrical
4) Fire hazards
1- Chemical hazards
 Laboratory chemicals include
1. Cancer-Causing agents
(carcinogens)
2. Toxins (those affecting
the liver, kidney and
nerves system)
3. Irritants
4. Corrosives
5. Sensitizers
6. Agent that act on the
blood system
2- Biological Hazards
 It is essential to minimize the exposure of laboratory workers of
infections agent such as hepatitis viruses and HIV.
 Exposure to infection agent result from
1. Accidental puncture with needles
2. Spraying o infectious materials by a syringe
3. Centrifuge accidents
4. Cuts or scratches from contaminated vessels. Any
unfixed tissue including blood slides, must also be
treated as potentially infectious material,
3- Electrical Hazards
 In the laboratory there is potential for worker to be
exposed to electrical hazards include.

1. Electrical shock
2. Electrocution
3. Fires
4. Explosions
5. Damaged electrical cords can lead to possible
shocks or electrocutions.
4- Fire Hazards
 Fire is the most common serious hazard that
one faces in a typical laboratory. While proper
procedure and training can minimize the
chances of an accidental fire, Laboratory worker
should still be prepared to deal with a fire
emergency should it occur.
 In dealing with laboratory fire, all containers of
infectious material should by placed into
autoclave , incubators , refrigerators or freezers
for contamination
Conical Flask Round Bottom Flask Flat Round Bottom

Test Tube Test Tube Holder Brush

Spatula Watch Glass Funnel

Volumetric Flask Graduated Cylinder Beaker

 Pipette

Reagent Bottle Dropper Mortar and Pestle

Test Tube Rack Separator Funnel benzene burner

Washing Bottle Wire gauze Tripod Stand

Burette Burette stand and clamp Glass Stirrer