Do's & Don'ts at Science Lab

"The individuals researching and practicing at the lab are exposed to a potentially dangerous environment, which contains hazards like- chemicals, radioactive, biological, etc. Even a small slip can cause a massive accident in the lab and can harm a person, and so all the necessary precautions should be taken to ensure that it never happens. In this article, we'll learn what should & shouldn't be done at a science lab."

We all know that labs are fun, be it a computer lab or chemistry lab. But, they can also become dangerous rather quickly if proper safety precautions and lab etiquette are not respected. Working with delicate pipettes, hot burners, and toxic chemicals requires a great deal of care and attention, and we cannot emphasize enough science lab safety. 

 

To help ensure that you stay safe at a science lab, we've sorted out a few do and don't in the science lab. Make sure you understand and strictly follow that when you are in a lab with hazards.  

 

Do's: 

1- DRESS APPROPRIATELY: 

Before entering the lab, make sure that you are dress appropriately- it is a must. Put on a lab coat, gloves, and safety goggles. Also, wear long pants with closed shoes and tie up your long hair. While working with the chemicals, you should be all covered up, so in case some accident happens, it does not directly affect your skin. 

 

2- HANDLE EQUIPMENT’S SAFELY:

Some experiments involve heating, boiling, and burning chemicals, while some experiments require electrical equipment, and some experiments involve beakers, test tubes, flasks, and other glassware. All these tools should be handled with care. 

 

· When you are using fire, make sure to keep a safe distance from it, wear safety glasses, tuck in loose clothing, and keep long hair tied back. 

· While working with electrical equipment, hold the plug with its insulated cover, and don't ever unplug any device by pulling or tugging the cord. 

· And when you are working with delicate glassware, hold them carefully and also thoroughly wash them before using them to eliminate any potential hazard.

 

3- LEARN WHAT TO DO INCASE OF AN EMERGENCY:

It is rather common to have a small incident in the lab & to make sure that you know your way out or how to eliminate the situation; you should learn what safety equipment are present in the lab. Some institutes have emergency eye-washers or showers to wash off any chemical spills; fire blankets & extinguishers to douse off the fire- make sure you know your way around.  

 

Don'ts:

1- AVOID TOUCHING YOUR FACE:

While working with chemicals or acids or any other hazards, do not ever touch your face. The traces of these elements, which are present on your hand, can get into your eyes or mouth. Also, never bring any drink or a snack into a lab. You may take necessary precautions to make sure that they are not contaminated but, there is no way to ensure it. So, it better if you do not eat in the lab.

 

2- DON'T HANDLE THE CHEMICAL SPILL RECKLESSLY:

If you accidentally spill any chemicals, don't panic and handle the situation with caution. Don't touch the chemical with your bare hands, use a paper towel, and cover the spill. And push the mess toward the center of the table rather than the floor. Make sure to dispose of the towel properly. And if there is a spill in large amount, immediately evacuate the lab and contact the emergency personnel.

 

3- DON'T LEAVE THE LAB MESSY:

Make sure you leave the lab clean for the next person. Clean out all your glassware, keep the chemicals at their respective places, and make sure that there are no spills. Also, make sure to label your work so that everyone sharing the lab knows that it belongs to you and mark it if it is hazardous.

 

Last but definitely not least, select a university like Marwadi University, which has separate labs for every branch of science like the Chemical lab for chemical engineering students, the Electrical lab for Electrical Engineering students, etc.