Few careers are as rewarding as one in science, and most people wouldn’t think of an academic job as one fraught with hazards. Nevertheless, accidents can happen in almost any kind of surrounding so you’ll want to check out these top safety tips and see if you could be doing more to keep your chemical and biological workshops safe.
1. Offer Coats And Aprons
Nothing in the field of science is more iconic than the image of a chemist standing in a long white coat, so it’s tempting to think of this as a Hollywood invention. Giving your crew a sufficient number of chemically resistant coats or aprons is actually the best way to keep them protected from caustic spills, however. Some strong alkalines can eat through most materials, so you’ll want to invest in something that’s at least durable enough to hold up to the most extreme compounds your crews will be working with at any given time.
2. Keep Labs Ventilated At All Times
Invest in fume hoods and accessories so that all noxious odors are removed from the laboratory surroundings every single time someone conducts an experiment. Scientists should be using personal protective equipment in most cases, but that’s no reason to avoid properly ventilating the lab. Keep air moving in and out of the surroundings so that everything stays fresh. This is important not only for safety reasons but also to avoid getting faulty results when tabulating numbers from oxygen-dependent test items.
3. Clearly Mark Safety Equipment
Take some time to ensure that everyone on your team knows the location of safety gear so they wouldn’t have to go hunting for it if something happens. You might want to consider putting up extra signs or markers that can help visitors find things if they happened when conditions were favorable for an accident.
4. Post Warning Signs
Marking safety gear is only half the battle, so you’ll also want to put up warning signs that tell scientists about potential hazards they’re going to be dealing with in the lab. Radiological and other serious contaminants need special placards that clearly spell out what they contain. Anything that houses a potential pathogen has to carry specific markings specified by regulatory agencies. Check your local authorities to ensure that your lab complies with all of these guidelines.
5. Get Rid Of All Food Products
Chances are that your scientists are working more than ever before, which means they have less time for life’s essentials. This could tempt them to take a coffee break or eat lunch in the lab. As attractive as this is from a scheduling perspective, no food should ever be allowed past a certain point. All laboratory facilities should also be strictly non-smoking areas that also ban the consumption of beverages. A water cooler might seem like a nice gift for your employees, but it shouldn’t be located anywhere near the front entrance of your lab’s workshop room.
If you work in a scientific lab or have one of your company’s properties, be proactive about safety to ensure the lab is a safe, healthy work environment.