General Laboratory Safety Training is a crucial component of ensuring a safe and secure working environment in scientific and research settings. This training is designed to educate personnel about the potential hazards and risks associated with laboratory work and to instill best practices for prevention and emergency response. Participants typically learn about the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), safe handling of chemicals, and the importance of following standard operating procedures.

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Aqsa Iqbal

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By imparting general laboratory safety training, organizations aim to create a culture of awareness, responsibility, and adherence to safety protocols among laboratory personnel. This not only helps in preventing accidents and injuries but also ensures the integrity of research outcomes and the well-being of everyone working in the laboratory. Regular updates and refresher courses are often provided to keep individuals informed about the latest safety guidelines and practices.

What does safety means?

Safety means you have to:

– Read labels on containers of chemicals.
– Read Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).
– Handle chemicals with care.
– Use correct protective clothing and equipment.
– First-aid instructions
– Remember emergency procedures.

Chemical Labels

Every container of chemicals is labeled by the manufacturer.

The label will tell you:

– Name of chemical.
– Name, address and emergency phone number of manufacturer.
– Physical and health hazards.
– Precautionary measures.
– First-aid instructions.
– Proper handling/storage instructions.

Health Hazards on a Chemical Label

– Carcinogen – Corrosive
– Highly toxic agent – Sensitizer
– Toxic agent – Hepatotoxin
– Reproductive hazard – Nephrotoxin

Typical Precautionary Measures on a Label

– Do not breathe vapors.
– Use in well-ventilated areas.
– Keep container closed when not in use
– Avoid contact with skin.
– Wash thoroughly with soap and water after handling.
– Keep away from sparks, heat, and flame.

Common Signal Words on Labels

– Danger – Can cause immediate serious injury or death.
– Warning – Can cause potentially serious injury or death.
– Caution – Can cause potentially moderate injury.

Special Symbols Used on Labels

It helps you recognize kind of hazard a chemical could present if you are not careful:

– Toxicity
– Corrosivity (acids and bases)
– Ignitability (flammable solvents and certain solids)
– Reactivity (sodium and various waterreactive reagents)

Color and Number Coded Label Systems

NFPA-type label

Colors represent kind of hazard:

– Red = fire
– Yellow = instability
– Blue = health
– Black = specific hazard & personal protection

Numbers show degree of hazard

• 0 = Minimal
• 1 = Slight
• 2 = Moderate
• 3 = Serious
• 4 = Severe

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

Provides more detailed information about a chemical,
including
– Composition, information on ingredients
– Hazards identification
– First aid measures
– Accidental Release measures
– Handling and Storage
– Exposure controls, personal protection
– Stability and reactivity
– Toxicological information

Hazards Identification

– Inhalation: Respiratory tract (lungs) through inhalation
– Ingestion: Digestive tract through eating or smoking with contaminated hands or in contaminated work areas
– Absorption through the skin or eyes: Dermatitis or damage to the liver, kidney, or other organ systems
– Injection: Percutaneous injection of a toxic substance through the skin

Specific Possible Health Hazards

– Acute poisoning (rapid assimilation of substance, i.e., carbon monoxide)
– Chronic poisoning (prolonged exposure, i.e., lead poisoning)
– Cumulative poisons (numerous chronic exposures, i.e., heavy metals)
– Substances in combination (synergistic effect, i.e., exposure to alcohol and chlorinated solvents)

Exposure Limits

– Threshold Limit Value (TLV)
– Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL)
– Recommended Exposure Limit (REL)

Toxicological Information

– LC50: median lethal concentration by inhalation in a single exposure over a specified time period

– LCLO: lowest reported LC50

– LD50: median lethal concentration by a routeother than inhalation

What is “Highly Toxic”?

“Highly Toxic” is indicated by
– LD50 50 mg/kg body wt by ingestion to albino rats each weighing between 200 to 300 gms
– LD50 200 mg/kg by continuous contact for 24 hrs with skin of albino rabbits each weighing between 2 and 3 kg
– LC50 200 ppm of gas or vapor inhalation (or 2 mg/L of mist, dust, or fumes) for one hour by albino rats each weighing between 200 to 300 gms

Handle Chemicals with Care

– Dispose of chemicals, broken glass, and other waste in approved containers
– Clean up broken glass and spills immediately
– Keep the lab clean and neat
– Store incompatible chemicals in separate storage areas

Chemical Storage

Labs have established separate storage areas for
✓ Flammable and combustible organic liquids and solvents
✓ Acids
✓ Dry poisons, salts, and oxidizers
✓ Bases

Chemicals are stored in
✓ Chemical storage cabinets
✓ Flammable storage refrigerators (No food)
✓ Chemical storage refrigerators/freezers (No food)
✓ On shelves with retaining barriers

Storage Fundamentals

Identify incompatible chemicals – check the Material Safety Data Sheet

Isolate and separate incompatible materials

– Isolate by storing in another area or room
– Degree of isolation depends on quantities, chemical properties and packaging
– Separate by storing in same area or room, but apart from each other

Storage of Flammable and Combustible Liquids

Storage must not limit the use of exits, stairways, or areas normally used for the safe regress of people

Storage must be in: closed metal containers inside a storage cabinet, or, safety cans, or an inside storage room

Storage Cabinets

Not more than 60 gal of Class I and/or Class II liquids, or not more than 120 gal of Class III liquids permitted in a cabinet

Must be conspicuously labeled, “Flammable – Keep Fire Away”

Doors on metal cabinets must have a three-point lock (top, side, and bottom), and the door sill must be raised at least 2 inches above the bottom of the cabinet

If Overexposed to a Hazardous Substance

– Get medical help immediately!
– Inform your lab supervisor
– Check MSDS for first-aid instructions

– Some general guidelines are:

• Eyes: Flush with water for 15 minutes
• Ingestion: Follow label and MSDS instructions
• Skin Contact: Stand under emergency shower and remove contaminated clothing immediately
• Inhalation: Get to fresh air and get prompt medical attention

Emergencies can happen, so

• Avoid working alone in the lab
• Know where emergency phone numbers are posted
• Review MSDS
• Know where to go and what to do in an emergency
• Know the location of the closest safety showers, eyewashes, and fire extinguishers

Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP)

Outlines specific work practices for all work involving hazardous substances in the lab

• Gives procedures to follow when working with hazardous chemicals
• Provides details on how your chemical exposure will be monitored and limited
• Assures that you have the right personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Specifies that some hazardous tasks to be approved in advance by the PI

Also read: Paper Retraction

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