When you manage a pathology lab facility, safety is one of the biggest concerns in order to prevent any injuries, accidents, or other hazards that are common to the lab environment. This is especially true when your technicians and employees are working with the many hazardous chemicals that are used on a daily basis in a lab. To implement the right safety protocols and follow strict rules, you will want to understand how to properly handle and store chemicals in your lab. There are a few rules that you'll want to train your employees to follow anytime they are handling or storing chemicals in your pathology lab.
Handling chemicals requires you to be wearing the proper protective equipment that will keep all the hazardous chemicals away from your eyes and skin. This should entail wearing protective gloves and eye goggles, in addition to any lab coats, closed-toe shoes, and chemical aprons. You'll want to adjust your equipment according to the types of chemicals that you are using to protect yourself from any exposure or harm.
Whenever you are moving chemicals from one place to another, you should carry them in a leak-proof container that is secondary to their packaging. This will prevent against any breakage, spillage, or other accidents. When moving heavy chemicals, you should use sturdy carts to wheel them around. Always avoid moving chemicals during the busy times of the day, as there will be more hazards in the way.
When you store chemicals in your pathology lab, you want to do so in an organized fashion. You'll want to clearly label or mark every chemical in the storage area. Also, provide a specific storage space for each chemical to make it easy for removal and usage. Always make sure that your chemicals are properly and securely sealed when you are storing them.
When storing your chemicals, be sure to pay attention to their purpose and hazards. You'll want to store flammable chemicals away from any potential heat sources to prevent accidents from occurring. Also, use secondary containers to store any corrosive chemicals, as you want to prevent any spills that can damage your storage area. When chemicals require refrigeration, be sure that you properly label that refrigerator for only chemical use. This will prevent you from contaminating any live samples or other materials in your lab.
These are some of the rules and regulations that you should follow anytime you are dealing with hazardous chemicals in a lab. As a manager of a pathology lab, you will want to keep your employees safe from these workplace environments that can negatively affect their health and safety. Contact us to hear about any other training or workplace advice you'll need to keep your pathology lab safe and sound today.
