Laboratories are a whirlwind of activity. Phones ring incessantly, test results demand verification, and the pressure of endless stat requests never lets up. Even clinical labs face moments when the workload outstrips time and staff. In this chaos, safety protocols often get a shrug or a vague promise of “later, when things slow down.” But that delay can be costly.
We’re trained to spot the hazards—bloodborne pathogens, sharps, hazardous chemicals, radiation, ergonomics, infectious diseases. Yet, over time, familiarity breeds a quiet acceptance of these risks. No incidents today, no accidents this week, and suddenly vigilance fades. We take shortcuts, distracted by fatigue or personal worries, convincing ourselves that skipping a step “just this once” won’t matter. Until it does.
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This is why the guideline "every person, every task, every day," while basic, is so meaningful. Wearing gloves and face shields, every time we open a tube of blood? Lynn, a lab tech at a clinic, rationalized that it takes longer to put on the face shield than it does to open the tube, but the resulting exposure to her unprotected mucous membranes doesn’t care why they were uncovered. As it turns out, the patient had Hepatitis C—and now Lynn wears a face shield and gloves every time she encounters blood and body fluids. That one close call was enough to convince her not to take convenient shortcuts.
Sarah is reaching for a corrosive liquid that was inadvertently placed on a top shelf because it was the first open spot another lab tech saw. The container slips and breaks. Prompt response with a lab shower and an acid spill kit is needed. Moving forward, the lab manager mandates routine review of chemical placement and ensures everyone knows how to quickly access the safety datasheet, minimizing incidents as well as response time for first aid.
Judy is powering through long periods of time at a microscope and assumes the neck and back stiffness is just part of the job. But there are ergonomic improvements that can be done. Properly adjusted ergonomic chairs and pads on lab counters can relieve pressure on the body and allow her to go home without additional pain. Using a cart to transport tubes of reagents saves wear and tear on shoulders and backs. Other ergonomic solutions include anti-fatigue mats, periodic stretching, and rotating duties between staff. After carrying out some of these adjustments at the recommendation of a massage therapist, Judy’s neck and back stiffness disappeared. Had she not, they may have developed into a chronic condition.
A newly hired lab manager, Sheila, notices that her lab tech, Grace, is rotating through the radiology department without her dosimeter badge on. Sheila immediately calls Grace into her office. As it turns out, Grace was not aware that the dosimeter badge should be worn at all times to keep track of her exposure to radiation. “I only put it on when I would be in the department for a while, not if I was just going to be in there for a minute,” she explains. Sheila mandates recurring training for all staff and emphasizes the importance of protection. There is no minimum amount of radiation that is considered safe.
In all of these examples, employees took seemingly minor shortcuts for the sake of convenience—and they all could have led to very damaging outcomes. Laboratory safety policies are in place to protect employees from known routes of exposure to multiple hazards. Managers can build a culture of safety and create an environment where consistent safety practices can actually save lives. Every person, every task, every day.
