Follow our guidelines for developing a solid, proactive approach to protecting your employees from potential hazards in the workplace

Every year, we see research facilities moving toward more automation, and recent issues of Lab Manager highlight some of the newest equipment on the market. Many laboratory tasks are labor-intensive and the sheer number of tasks performed, such as washing and sterilizing containers and installing and disposing samples and wastes, are becoming too time-consuming. Thus, complex equipment, such as sonicators, washers, autoclaves, and autosamplers, is becoming a necessity and is much more prevalent.

A building’s indoor air quality, known as IAQ—and now broadened to indoor environmental quality (IEQ)—has been a major issue in buildings since the early 1980s.

The focus of this article is ethylene oxide, a frequently used and potentially hazardous sterilizing agent.

According to a recent OSHA publication, there are more than 500,000 workers employed in laboratories in the United States.¹ And as lab managers, you know that laboratories can be potentially dangerous places to work.

Respiratory protection basics

Recommended procedures for donning and doffing PPE for cleanrooms and containment labs

Begin by following decontamination system manufacturers' safety protocols

Every laboratory manager and company executive has had these thoughts at some point: “Another regulation. OMG. What do they want now? Will the government ever leave us alone? How am I ever going to get anything done?” 

Since their introduction, liquid sporicides have become one of the products of choice for many biological research and production facilities wherever high-level microbial control is critical. Although they are marketed as low-toxicity products, appropriate care during use is essential to prevent potentially dangerous conditions, exposures, and injuries.

Managing laboratory animal allergens

To prevent indoor air quality issues after new construction or renovations

This month we wrap up the ECP discussing housekeeping, laundry, waste handling, and PPE