Stores

¾ Every bottle/container should be labeled. Affix the

hazard intensity on the bottle or the container

¾ Ensure in every possible way that the containers cannot

under any circumstances fall or spill. This can be done

by placing the most dangerous chemical at the bottom

or at the floor level

¾ Proper ventilation should be ensured in storage

zones that house flammable chemicals. Keep fire

extinguishing equipment handy. Post “No smoking”

signs that are clearly visible. Make sure that the place

remains free from pests.

Staff Safety and Facilities

The most important asset of any institution is the manpower that works for it. It holds true for laboratories

too. Absence of staff due to morbidity or mortality can

stifle your working capacity, capability and reputation.

Provide adequate facilities to your team. (Designate a

room or space meant exclusively for retiring or resting and

consuming foodstuffs).

¾ Hot and cold running water with soap and disinfectants

should always be provided. Clean hand towels should

be replaced daily

¾ A clean toilet for use by staff members is mandatory as

are the changing rooms. If possible, separate units for

male and female members should be provided

¾ Biomedical wastes and non-biomedical wastes should

be discarded properly and safely. Chemical treatment

of liquid wastes and incineration of solid wastes should

not be overlooked. Wastes handled properly ensures

good health of your working team

¾ Designate a room or space meant exclusively for

retiring or resting and consuming foodstuffs. Under no

circumstances, laboratorians should eat or drink on

their workbenches. Provide safe drinking water to all

¾ Each room/cabin must have a first-aid box kept at an

identified place that is easily accessible. Every person

working in the laboratory must be aware of all hazards

that exist and must also know about the remedial

measures that should be taken if something happens.

What can be managed in house should be managed,

when required, assistance of other specialists must be

taken. Contact numbers of such institutions/specialists

must be displayed prominently

¾ All members of your team must be immunized as

relevant to the laboratory work. Make sure no single

person works alone in a room or cabin. Two compatible

persons should work together always.

Basic Laboratory Safety

¾ Use only certified safe equipment in the laboratory

¾ Decontaminate all equipment regularly and before

their servicing or maintenance, use appropriate

disinfectants correctly

¾ As far as possible, use disposable plasticware to

avoid contamination (chemical, biological, etc.) and

breakages with ensuing dangers

¾ Regularly test and service biological safety cabinets and

fume cupboards.