Electronic Handout
WORK SAFETY
A. INTRODUCTION
A laboratory is a place where scientific research, clinical or diagnostic, evaluation and experiments are conducted under controlled conditions. Laboratories are used in many scientific disciplines including research and the teaching of sciences such as chemistry, biology, medicine, physics and others. People who work or study in chemical or biological laboratories are exposed to many kinds of hazards. Laboratories involve a greater variety of possible hazards than most workplaces: many agents are highly flammable and/or explosive, and their careless handling and storage may result in fires and explosions. Toxic gases, biological agents, fumes and liquids may be produced and cause poisoning and/or infections. A special hazard exists when laboratories deal with new or unfamiliar chemical substances or biological agents. Some chemical substances and biological materials may even be carcinogenic, mutagenic or embryo toxic.
B. THE EQUIPMENT IN LABORATORY
Equipment in laboratory includes all of tools and material which is used for research or experiment in laboratory:
- Microscope
To observe the microscopic object that can not be seen with naked eyes
- Erlenmeyer
To store chemical substances (liquid)
- Beaker glass
To store chemical substances (solid and liquid)
- Spiritus
To burn or heating substances
- Mortar
To crush substances
- Pinset
To take substances (solid)
- Pippetes
To take liquid
- Thermometer
To measure temperate
C. HAZARD IN CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL LABORATORIES
As a laborant, researcher or student you are exposed to various hazards, depending on the type and functions of the laboratory. These hazards include:
- Chemical hazards
Chemicals in laboratories can present a variety of health and safety hazards. Toxic gases, fumes or liquids may escape from their container or spill while being handled and cause, for example, poisoning, cancer, allergies and radiation.
a. Solvent and organic reagens
- Alcohol
- Benzene
- Acetaldehyde
b. Anorganic
- Potassium
- Sodium
c. Gases
- Acetylene
- Butane
- Carbon monoxyde
- hydrogen
- Biological hazards
Biological agents such as viruses, bacteria, fungi or parasites can enter the body by inhalation, ingestion, skin or eye contact, animal bites and needle stick injuries and cause infections, allergies and other diseases. Certain biological agents are dangerous to the unborn child, such as toxoplasmosis or rubella.
D. SAFETY WORK
Safety is a top priority in chemical and biological laboratories. Work safety is closely related to human activity. At schools, this activity can be in the form of laboratory work.
Scientific experiments are commonly done in laboratories or classroom. This can be fun, but also dangerous if done inappropriately. For your safety, follow the safety regulations:
1. Always ask for permission to your teacher before you begin any activities in the laboratories
2. Study the procedures if you have any questions, ask your teacher. Be familiar with some safety symbols as shown in various places in the laboratory, for example chemical bottles.
3. Use safety tolls for protection, such as goggles, an apron, or a laboratory coat when working with chemical substances.
4. When heating a reaction tube, do not direct the mouth of the tube to your friend.
5. Never eat or drink at the laboratory. Never attempt to in hale or taste a chemical substances
The Steps preventive in laboratories accident include:
- Elimination of the hazard by changing the process or product is at the top of the hierarchy.
- If elimination is not possible, then the dangerous substances or the process should be substituted with another, non-hazardous or less dangerous one.
- Where the risks to workers are not prevented, control measures should be implemented to remove or reduce the risks to workers’ health. The following control hierarchy should be followed:
- Design work processes and controls, and use adequate equipment and materials to reduce the release of dangerous substances.
- Apply collective protection measures at the source of the risk, such as ventilation and appropriate organizational measures.
- Apply individual protection measures including personal protective equipment where exposure cannot be prevented by other means.
E. HAZARDOUS SYMBOL IN LABORATORY
