Recognizing The Importance Of Health And Safety Standards In Chemical Laboratories

By Author: Jo Alelsto
Total Articles: 405
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An employee of a laboratory on chemicals will enjoy his experience once he knows that the provisions on health and safety measures as well as those required by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 or the COSHH are being strictly implemented. With this, he knows that his work will be safe and that accidents are prevented.

However, it is not enough that you know there are such laws and that companies engaged in dangerous substances are compelled to take these laws in effect. It is of great importance that you know what is being required by the law itself.

Good health and safety are essential for any person working in a chemical laboratory. Chemical burns and irritation are distinct menace and must be avoided at all cost. A serious effect of chemical contact can even trigger death. Therefore, it can be understood readily how very important it is for the companies to implement rules and regulations promoting safety and health measures within the premises of the laboratory.

Here are two of the most valuable health and safety measures that you should know:

1. Wearing apparel ...
... must be clean

All clothing, including the headgear, should be changed daily. A mask requires changing much more frequently, certainly between operations and more often if necessary. Lab gowns should only be worn in the laboratory only. Shoes used in the lab should not be worn on the streets either.

Chances are, traces of chemical residue can be found in previously used clothes. Bringing them home to your families may cause potential hazards.

2. Style of clothing and shoes should be plain

It is important to wear plain clothing and shoes in the laboratory. This will facilitate cleaning, allow ease in dressing and ensure the comfort of the user. For example, a turban or headpiece that requires skill and practice to put on properly may be applied poorly by a newbie, and the purpose for which it is intended is lost.

Garments and shoes must be safe so that they will not get in the way while working in the lab. Headgear should completely cover the hair so that single strands of hair, bobby-pins, clips, or particles of dandruff or dust do not get in the way while working with the chemicals. Any form of distraction while working may cause trouble.

Mask is also an important outfit inside a chemical laboratory. This is worn to minimize inhalation of the chemicals. The mask must do this effectively. In addition, it should leak no air, not interfere with breathing, be compact, comfortable, and not hinder speech or vision. Many effective disposable masks are available but your company should readily provide you one.

Shoes with rubber soles are nonconductors of electricity, otherwise known as conductive shoes, and there is danger of generating static electricity under such conditions. Static electricity may ignite gases to produce explosion in the laboratory. Shoes with conductive soles or conductive slip-ons produce a grounding of the wearer that avoids the generation of static electricity and so removes the danger from this source. Soles must be cleaned after each wearing to remove any chemical residue which tends to insulate at the bottom of the sole.

For clothing, cotton clothing must be worn in the laboratory room. Wool, nylon, rayon, sharkskin, and cellulose acetate are potential sources of hazard because the rate of static build-up is so rapid with these materials that sparking is hard to control with certainty. It is acceptable to wear nylon or other synthetic undergarments if the whole garment is in contact with the skin.

Following these simple health and safety measures within the laboratory can save lives and productivity. Hence, better business and better lives are expected.
Jo is a writer for ‘ReAgent Chemical Services Ltd' (http://www.reagent.co.uk), an established UK stationed chemical firm that makes, stocks and supplies an enormous range of high quality chemical products including analytical laboratory chemicals, specialty chemicals and solid chemicals. If your company is seeking superior quality organic solvents for example acetone or has other industrial compound needs for uses similar to chemical mixture, analytical applications and cleaning then have a look at ReAgent Chemical Services Ltd.