Hazards in the Laboratory

            When people hear the words ‘laboratory hazards,’ the most commonly thought of thing are chemical hazards due to the core belief that every lab has dangerous chemicals in it. This maybe the case for a lot of labs, but chemical hazards aren’t the only dangers found in laboratories. There are three other hazards to look out for in laboratories, and they are physical hazards, biological hazards, and electrical hazards. Other hazards that can be found in labs can include mechanical hazards and radiation hazards, but these are found in more high-end laboratories.

            Chemical hazards are usually found in most labs, and as a result, OSHA has developed two different standards to handle chemical hazards in the lab. The first standard, which is known as the Hazard Communication standard or 29 CFR 1910.1200 and the second is known as the OSHA Lab Standard or 29 CFR 1910.1450. The main focus of 29 CFR 1910.1200 or Hazard Communication is to make sure that any hazards of all chemicals produced or imported are evaluated and all details regarding their hazards are transmitted to employers and employees.  This is done through the Safety Data Sheet or SDS. The HCS requires all chemical manufacturers, distributors, or importers to provide the Safety Data Sheets to communicate the hazards of hazardous chemical products. By June 1, 2015, new SDSs will be required to be in a unified format, include section numbers, headings, and associated information listed in order given by the HCS. The second standard is 29 CFR 1910.1450 or the OSHA Lab Standard, which supersedes any previous OSHA standard related to lab safety, meaning identifying hazards, determination of employee exposure, and the development of a chemical hygiene plan.

            Biological hazards include things like microbes, recombinant organisms, and vectors. Biological agents introduced to experimental animals are also considered a biological hazard. When dealing with biological hazards, there are many key ways to keep exposure to a minimum and reduce the chance of infection, injury, or even death. These will include warning signs, separated working areas in the lab, PPE, safety cabinets, decontamination areas, and the biosafety levels.

            Physical hazards will include things like electrical safety hazards, ergonomic hazards, sharp objects, and even housekeeping issues. Lab operations can result in workers assuming continued or even repetitive postures that can result in injuries to the eyes, back, hands, and neck. Pain is a good indicator that something is wrong and a posture change should be encouraged. Sharps containers are found all over laboratories and following some safety rules can reduce the chance of injuries and infections. Sharps containers should be puncture-proof and prevent leaks. The containers themselves should clearly labeled as sharps containers, never have their covers removed or have the contents transferred to another container. When the container becomes three-fourths full, it should be replaced with an empty container. Finally, housekeeping issues can prevent things like slips, trips, and falls in the lab. Safe and organized storage areas are a great place to start with. Material storage shouldn’t be creating hazards in the lab either. Bags, containers, and bundles should be stacked, blocked, and limited in height so that they are in a stable condition and can’t slide or fall.

            The last main hazard in laboratories comes from electrical hazards. Electrical hazards can be incredibly life threatening and are found way too often in labs. All outlets in a wet location should be equipped with ground-fault circuit interrupters to prevent accidental electrocutions. GFCIs are designed to trip and break the circuit when a small amount of the circuit begins to flow to ground. Wet locations are often located within six feet of a sink, faucet, and any other source of water or outlets located outdoors or in areas that get washed down frequently. Another common electrical hazard is the use of extension cables. These should not be used instead of permanent wiring. If an extension cord has to be used, make sure that the cord insulation is in good condition and never repair cracks, breaks, cuts or tears with tape. Either discard the extension cord or shorten it by installing a new plug end. Make sure not to run extension cords through doors or windows where they can become pinched or cut, and always be aware of any potential tripping hazards that the cords can create. Never remove the grounding pin from an extension cord as well and never use extension cords in series, just use the right length of cord for the job.

https://www.osha.gov/Publications/HazComm_QuickCard_SafetyData.html

https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10106

https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=standards&p_id=10099

http://www.labmanager.com/lab-health-and-safety/2011/09/laboratory-hazards-and-risks#.Vspjcceih-g

http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/topics/biological/hazards