Webinar Highlights: Maximize Your Laboratory Safety: Best Practices for Your Lab Work

Image: TwoScientists-Matej Kastelic/Shutterstock

Laboratory safety is critically important to ensure the health and well-being of staff, safely maximize workload and to satisfy any relevant legal responsibilities. Are you confident that all the necessary guidelines and regulations are being followed effectively in your workplace?

In this webinar, Herbert Heidfeldt, Consultant for Environment, Health & Safety at Darmstadt, Germany, discussed laboratory safety best practices and presented some good examples. Read on for the highlights of the Q&A session, including additional questions answered offline. If you missed it, watch the full webinar here.

Q: What is the best way to move chemicals between floors, if not using a lift?

A: Depending on the size of the container, the Merck safety bucket could be used. More information on safety accessories can be found here.

Q: We have no written information on the safety responsibility roles in our laboratory. Are these really necessary?

A: Yes, they are. The employer is accountable for safety and needs to provide written delegation of these responsibilities to ensure a safe working environment.

Q: We have some very old bottles, with very old labels, is it still safe to use these chemicals?

A: Labs need good housekeeping practices, with organized records of receipt and expiry of chemicals, to ensure safety and maximize lab space. If you do not have this, you should dispose of the chemicals according to regulations.

Q: We have very limited storage space for dangerous materials. Can we temporarily store them in fume hoods or normal cupboards?

A: Temporary should mean no longer than the working day. At other times materials must be stored according to the local regulation and legislation. Labs should avoid the long-term storage of unused chemicals, ordering only what they need in the short-term and being well organized to maximize space.

Q: What would you recommend for laboratories that have only one emergency exit rather than the recommended two?

A: It is important to ensure that the sole exit route remains unobstructed and is clear from combustible materials and ignition sources. Staff should be trained with full evacuation drills.

Q: Our lab equipment is not very modern and no improvements are planned. How would you improve safety in this situation?

A: Appropriate risk assessments and maintenance checks must be made regularly and all staff must be fully trained in safe usage of the equipment.

Q: How can we store flammable solvents, such as methanol, in bulk? Could we use an air conditioned room?

A: No, flammable solvents must be stored according to the existing regulations, using a certified safety cabinet.

Q: What is the recommended safe distance between electrical points and gas connections? Are there any safety concerns if the laboratory wall is constructed from gypsum board?

A: This will depend upon the type of gas and the electrical voltage. We recommend that you contact a specialist.

Q: I noticed that there is no dedicated section in ISO 15189 for health and safety, do you know if auditors look at health and safety aspects of the laboratory during inspections?

A: International Organization for Standardization (ISO) ISO 15189 is a voluntary quality management system. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) is based on the United Nations human and working rights standards that are most regulated by country specific regulations and legislation. Therefore, ISO infractions represent non-conformity, whilst OHS infractions represent non-compliance in inspections.

Q: How should we handle laboratory chemical waste? Can all chemicals be stored in waste bottles or does this depend on the concentration?

A: Although they have been designated as used material or waste, their properties remain the same. So the safety data sheet (SDS) must be consulted for disposal advice in accordance with local legislation.

Q: If there is fire and it occurs in room containing animals, what should we do?

A: The animal welfare officer has responsibility for the use of animals in research. Please contact the relevant responsible person in your organization for the correct procedures.

Q: Do all chemicals need to be stored according to control banding in the lab? How do you address this issue when there is a lack of space?

A: Chemicals should be separated according to their chemical properties, start with the most dangerous chemicals and follow storage instructions in the safety data sheet. You may also be able to increase your space through good housekeeping and external storage of chemicals that are used infrequently.

Q: What is the recommended separation distance between two materials that must be stored separately?

A: Refer to the chemical SDS and the relevant Merck StoreCard.

Q: How can we perform a risk assessment of a vacuum oven?

A: You should contact the manufacturer for their recommendations and your safety officer for in-house requirements.

Q: Can I have a copy of the presentation slides?

Please refer to the on-demand version of the webinar and the Napo website.

Find out more about laboratory safety tools and products and download Merck StoreCard information.

Please note this content is not applicable to readers from North America.