Recently we had the unpleasant experience of investigating a gruesome and almost deadly accident. A maintenance worker was removing a cable tie from a package on the loading dock when his pocketknife slipped and punctured his thigh, slicing his femoral artery.

The only good way to prepare for an emergency situation is to think through how you should respond and then practice doing it correctly.

Toxicologists have long held that the dose makes the poison: A substance can cause harm only in amounts high enough to overwhelm the body’s defenses.

In academic institutions, the most serious issue is the restriction of access to hazardous chemicals to appropriate personnel. Students and others will steal chemicals.

We recommend the establishment of a chemical management system. This system provides for the safe procurement, storage, use and disposal of chemicals.

Standard refrigerators should not be used for storage of flammable or reactive chemicals.

Following this procedure does several things. It forces you to decide what the rules and policies are going to be, shows everyone that you are concerned about health and safety, and keeps a permanent record of your safety standards.

Label All Chemicals to Show the Name of the Material, the Nature and Degree of Hazard, the Appropriate Precautions, and the Name of the Person Responsible for the Container.

The National Safety Council reports that about 1000 people are electrocuted each year in the United States. That means grounded plugs on all electrical equipment in the lab are very important.