3 Common Lab Accidents That Lab Workers Should be Aware of

Nearly 30% of lab professionals have been reported to be involved in a lab accident during their years of practice, reveals statistics. This shows that lab accidents are more common than you may think. Even if lab workers follow all the safety guidelines and utilize safety equipment, such as flammable storage cabinets, accidents can still occur and cause serious injury to the workers involved. This, in turn, can impact the lab productivity and efficiency.

Here are the common lab accidents that lab workers should be aware of:

Chemicals burns

These accidents most commonly occur because of incorrect handling and storage of hazardous chemicals and liquids. When handling such chemicals, lab workers should wear protective gear, such as gloves, eyeglasses, etc., and should pay the utmost attention when transferring them. When it comes to storage, proper containers, including flammable storage cabinets, should be used.

Heat burns

When you handle hot items hastily without proper gear, you run the risk of heat burns caused by them. It’s recommended that every lab worker should exercise caution when handling or working around hot items in a lab. In case a heat burn happens, put the affected area under cold water for a few minutes to minimize the burn.

Fires

Fires are one of the most common types of lab accidents that happen for a variety of reasons — hot surfaces, gas leakage, flammable materials, and many others. Not only do fires result in severe injuries, but they also wreak havoc on the lab setup. This is why lab owners need to put a concrete fire prevention plan in place and establish some guidelines that everyone must follow when working in the lab. From placing fire extinguishers in the lab to using flammable storage cabinets for proper storage of flammable materials to routine lab equipment inspections, labs, especially those that involve the use of flammable materials, should take such precautions.

If you want to design a lab that doesn’t run a high risk of accidents, feel free to get in touch with us today and let us design your lab.