8 Important Safety Tips for Handling Laboratory Chemicals

Author: Sameer Tendulkar

Research in the chemical and the medical field is one of the most progressive and successful methods to a substantial growth for humanity in general. With the help of extensive research work, a lot of breakthroughs have been achieved over the years and the constant development in the field of chemical processing and the medical field, it has been observed that an increasing number of laboratories for research are being set up by professionals as well as business oriented companies. While it may be extremely encouraging to have a wide presence of lab chemicals exporter, research centres and laboratories, it is essential to understand that a certain amount of precautions and safety measures need to be brought in place while handling laboratory chemicals. Here is a list of 8 major safety tips that should be followed by all those who handle laboratory chemicals.

  1. Follow Standard operating procedures: Chemicals have their own set of hazards and also have their own set of rules for handling and operating them. Knowing the standard operating procedures and following them religiously is essential.

  1. Keep good ventilation: In the process of working with chemicals, the substances may be prone to letting out fumes and harmful gases, in such cases, it is important to have a good amount of ventilation in the work area so that the fumes do not accumulate and they get space to be let out of the enclosed space.

  1. Maintenance and Cleanliness: it may seem unimportant, but it is extremely important to keep the floors and surfaces of the work area clean at all times when working with laboratory chemicals. It is also important to make sure that the chemical waste is disposed of in the right manner, in order to avoid contamination and major health consequences on the workers or the common people that may come in contact with the waste.

  1. Storage rules: It is an important safety rule to make sure that the storage of the laboratory chemicals is done in the right way. While this is an unbreakable rule for people who work with the chemicals, it is also important that chemical dealers also take good care of the storage and the transportation of the chemicals in order to maintain a high level of safety.

  1. Using proper tools: In the working of chemicals, one of the most important elements of work is to make proper use of the tools and to ensure that the tools and equipment are not damaged. The repercussions of using improper or broken tools and equipment may be as harmful and serious as the use of wrong chemical compounds.

  1. Response to spillage: When working with chemicals in a high pressure environment, it may be natural for the experts to go wrong with their tasks and spillage is likely to happen. However, it is essential to respond in the right way to stop the ill-effects of the spillage. While storage and cleaning are important, one must also keep a spill kit handy so that speedy measures may be taken to cut down on damage and if the need arises an evacuation of the space should also be arranged.

  1. Proper marking and safety measures: When working with chemicals, it is very important to name them properly and store them in a safe manner, which is why marking and storage of chemicals and equipment features on important safety measures list.

  1. Professional training: It must be ensured that no one is allowed to handle chemicals without knowing the right way to do it. A specialized training in the field is important and without training one must avoid getting near the laboratory chemicals.

When working with sensitive materials, it makes sense to take care of the safety rules and follow the measures without doubt for the greater good of the people as well as one’s own safety.

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