There are so many chances to be injured, harmed, or exposed to hazards in a laboratory. You can encounter unwanted outcomes to avoidable issues if you don't practice and enforce safety procedures. Maintaining laboratory equipment, properly handling waste, and sufficient necessary supplies are important for reducing the risk of damage or injury. The trick to keep your lab employees safe is to foster a work culture that is focused on safety with your laboratory buildout or design. These are a few tips to help you keep your lab employees safe on the job.
Your lab workers need to be able to fully understand the proper way of handling and using equipment/supplies. They need to practice the use of protective equipment. And you have to teach them. Don't just show them once, no, make sure you have regular safety training sessions. This will keep all lab workers up to date on safety procedures and help prevent incidents occurring.
This, paired with a detailed CHP (Chemical Hygiene Plan), will use the health and safety practices of your organization to create a safe environment for your employees.
One position that should be filled in your laboratory is a chemical hygiene officer. It is an employee who has undergone special training to create a CHP (Chemical Hygiene Plan). This document will detail the equipment, procedures, and protective equipment needed to keep employees safe at all times around chemicals.
OSHA enforces standards that your lab's CHP will have to adhere to, and it must be updated as needed while going under an annual review. The plan must be visible and available to all employees and their representatives.
When you are working in a lab, you will encounter hazardous chemicals, sharp cutting devices, biological specimens, and countless potentially dangerous objects. You can help keep your lab workers safe by clearly posting safety tips and step-by-step directions on handling certain hazardous material/equipment.
The signs will also encourage the team to maintain workplace standards, guiding them react correctly when needed. Signs will also offer information about the specific chemical hazards, safety rules, and even emergency numbers and procedures. You need to make sure your employees are aware of these signs and procedures. It is up to you to make sure they are aware of the necessary safety procedures and practices for their safety. In some situations, running drills and working with lab employees will help ensure that the best possible reaction is made in the worst possible situation. Safety in your medical labs isn't just a focus on your employees' wellness. You also need to follow safety practices to ensure that your work, clients, patients, and results are not harmed.
