Common sense is often hailed as the cornerstone of laboratory safety. However, despite extensive training and awareness campaigns, lab professionals still witness (and sometimes commit) mistakes that can lead to costly—and potentially dangerous—outcomes. Below are ten of the most alarming laboratory safety blunders that deserve your full attention. By avoiding these pitfalls, you’ll help create a safer, more efficient, and more professional lab environment.
1. Working with Your Head Inside a Fume Hood
Why It’s Dangerous
Fume hoods are designed to protect lab workers from inhaling hazardous fumes and chemical vapors by pulling these substances away from the user. Placing your head inside the hood compromises this airflow, exposing your face and respiratory tract directly to harmful chemicals.
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How to Avoid It
- Always stand with your head and body outside the plane of the sash.
- Keep the fume hood sash at the recommended height (usually indicated on the hood).
- Make sure the exhaust is functioning properly before beginning work.
2. Opening Beta-Mercaptoethanol Outside of a Fume Hood
Why It’s Dangerous
Beta-mercaptoethanol emits highly unpleasant fumes that can irritate the nose, throat, and eyes. The compound is notorious for its strong odor and potential toxicity, so opening it outside of a fume hood puts everyone in the lab at risk.
How to Avoid It
- Ensure proper ventilation by always handling Beta-mercaptoethanol in a fume hood.
- Wear suitable personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves, lab coats, and safety goggles.
- Label all containers clearly to prevent accidental misuse or exposure.
3. Making or Storing Food in the Lab
Why It’s Dangerous
Chemicals, biologics, and lab equipment can contaminate any food or drink stored in a laboratory environment. Even sealed food containers can be compromised, leading to possible ingestion of harmful substances.
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How to Avoid It
- Never prepare or store food in the lab—keep all consumables in designated break areas or kitchens.
- Label and segregate any lab-specific refrigerators or freezers from those intended for food storage.
- Post clear signage indicating that the lab is not a food-safe environment.
4. Eating Near or At the Lab Bench
Why It’s Dangerous
Similar to storing food in the lab, eating or drinking at the lab bench invites contamination. Spills, splashes, or airborne particulates can land on your food or hands, leading to inadvertent ingestion of hazardous substances.
How to Avoid It
- Maintain a strict no-eating policy within active lab work zones.
- If you need to eat or drink, leave the lab and thoroughly wash your hands before handling any food items.
- Keep disinfectants and cleaning materials easily accessible to wipe down surfaces regularly.
5. Balancing Tubes by Eye in Superspeed Centrifuges
Why It’s Dangerous
High-speed and ultracentrifuges spin at extremely high revolutions per minute (RPM). An imbalance can cause catastrophic failures, resulting in flying debris, damaged equipment, and even serious injuries.
How to Avoid It
- Weigh the tubes on a balance or scale for precise measurement.
- Match the mass and volume of opposite tubes to ensure a stable spin.
- Check the rotor capacity and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for tube placement.
6. Forgetting to Protect Arms and Hands When Using a UV Transilluminator
Why It’s Dangerous
UV transilluminators emit ultraviolet radiation that can cause skin burns and increase the risk of long-term health issues. Protecting just your eyes while leaving your arms and hands exposed is a common oversight.
How to Avoid It
- Wear long sleeves or use UV-blocking sleeves and UV-resistant gloves to cover your skin.
- Use UV-protective face shields in addition to goggles if you need to lean over the transilluminator.
- Limit exposure time and always power down the unit when it’s not actively in use.
7. Relying on Regular Safety Glasses for UV Transilluminator Use
Why It’s Dangerous
Not all safety glasses are designed to block or filter UV light. Relying on generic protective eyewear can allow dangerous UV radiation to reach your eyes, potentially causing corneal burns and other serious eye injuries.
How to Avoid It
- Choose UV-specific protective eyewear that meets recommended safety standards.
- Inspect your eyewear for scratches or damage, as these can reduce their effectiveness.
- Combine UV-blocking goggles with other protective measures like face shields for enhanced safety.
8. Working Without Safety Goggles or Glasses
Why It’s Dangerous
Chemical splashes, flying debris, and accidental spills can happen at any time. Without proper eye protection, you risk chemical burns, corneal abrasions, or even permanent vision loss.
How to Avoid It
- Always wear safety goggles or impact-resistant safety glasses with side shields.
- Keep spare eye protection accessible, so you’re never tempted to skip it if your primary pair is misplaced.
- Check that the eyewear is chemical-splash resistant if you work with liquids or volatile substances.
9. Not Wearing a Lab Coat (or Wearing It Outside the Lab)
Why It’s Dangerous
Lab coats are a crucial barrier that protects your skin and clothing from chemical splashes and spills. When worn outside the lab, a contaminated coat can spread hazardous substances throughout common areas, putting others at risk.
How to Avoid It
- Wear a properly fitted lab coat that snaps or buttons up the front.
- Remove your lab coat immediately upon leaving the active lab area to avoid cross-contamination.
- Launder lab coats separately from regular clothing, following your institution’s safety protocols.
10. Using Chemicals Without Reading the SDS
Why It’s Dangerous
Every chemical comes with detailed information about its hazards, handling instructions, and emergency measures—previously called MSDS but now standardized as SDS (Safety Data Sheets). Skipping this information can lead to misuse, accidents, and dangerous interactions.
How to Avoid It
- Read the SDS for any new chemical or reagent before use.
- Keep printed or digital copies of SDS accessible to everyone in the lab.
- Follow the recommended storage and disposal guidelines to prevent accidents.
Boosting Lab Safety Through Common Sense and Best Practices
Laboratory safety hinges on awareness, training, and the consistent application of common-sense measures. By avoiding these ten mistakes, you’ll create a safer work environment for you and your colleagues:
- Keep your head out of the fume hood.
- Respect the toxicity of Beta-mercaptoethanol by keeping it under proper ventilation.
- Keep food and drink strictly out of the lab.
- Balance centrifuge tubes accurately.
- Use comprehensive UV protection, not just safety glasses.
- Wear proper PPE at all times, including lab coats and safety goggles.
- Never handle chemicals without first reading their SDS.
Adhering to these fundamentals helps establish a culture of caution, accountability, and diligence. By doing so, you protect not only your own well-being but also that of your entire research community.
Final Thoughts
Common sense may seem intuitive, but it must be consciously practiced to have any impact. The best defense against lab accidents is a mindset that combines caution with preparedness. Whether you’re a first-year grad student or a seasoned principal investigator, revisiting these essential safety tips can make a world of difference.
By diligently applying these guidelines and fostering a safety-first culture, you’ll help ensure that your laboratory remains a productive, innovative, and hazard-free space. Remember: Safety is everyone’s responsibility.
