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Maintaining safety in the workplace is crucial. This is often never more true than in a laboratory environment, where hazardous materials of various types may be dealt with on a daily basis. Biological and chemical substances have the potential to cause harm to laboratory staff if the right practices and procedures aren’t in place. Every lab needs to have a clear regime of safety and security to guarantee an efficient working environment where everyone is protected. There are some fundamental steps to begin with so that lab safety can be maintained at all times. They should be regularly reviewed to ensure everyone is following the rules.
Deliver Comprehensive Training
All employees working in a laboratory setting need to have the appropriate training to carry out their work safely. Training should equip them with the knowledge they need to protect themselves and their colleagues. It’s important for new employees to receive the appropriate training, but it’s just as crucial that existing staff have the benefit of regular training to help refresh, reinforce, and update their knowledge. Developing a comprehensive program of safety training helps to ensure your employees know how to handle hazardous materials, how to dispose of waste, how to wear their PPE, and more.
Create Barriers with Hazardous Materials
The right barriers and shields between employees and the materials they are working with are often essential. This is likely to be put in place through a combination of personal protective equipment and equipment within the lab environment. Installing an evidence drying cabinet not only helps to protect wet or damp evidence but also provides an effective shield between potentially hazardous pathogens and staff. Using equipment such as screens, shields, or appropriate storage helps to provide the protection that employees require so that they can work safely without worrying about accidental contact with unwanted materials.
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Provide Essential PPE
Another element of protecting employees is ensuring they have the correct personal protective equipment (PPE). In a laboratory, PPE could include lab coats, goggles, gloves, or even hearing protection. Some labs might require staff to wear appropriate protection on their feet, or perhaps cover their hair. It’s vital that employers provide this PPE for their staff, ensuring they have what’s required to protect themselves while in the lab. Personal protective equipment also often helps with maintaining a sterile laboratory environment, creating a laboratory that is both sterile and safe.
Implement Daily Safety Procedures
Safety should be a daily priority in any laboratory. That’s why it’s essential to implement daily safety procedures that must be followed. Staff should begin their day by checking off must-do tasks to maintain safety in the lab, as well as completing safety tasks throughout the day. Embedding these procedures into the general running of the lab is a way to guarantee they become a natural part of how everything operates and there is little chance of them being forgotten or overlooked.
Taking steps to protect employees in a laboratory environment is crucial to maintaining a safe workplace where staff feel they are cared for.
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