Lab safety

Complutense University of Madrid

ⓒ Prof. J. Peña

LAb safety

Faculty of Education - UCM Lab safety

identification

conclusions

prudent practices

ppe

introduction

lab safety

Faculty of Education - UCM Lab safety

Any risk at the lab?

What is taking a risk?

What is the definition of risk?

introduction

Faculty of Education - UCM Lab safety

Identification: Hazard recognition

Faculty of Education - UCM Lab safety

example

Faculty of Education - UCM Lab safety

Identification: Hazardous materials

Faculty of Education - UCM Lab safety

Identification: Hazardous materials

Faculty of Education - UCM Lab safety

Include flammable, explosive and dangerous reactive substances.

Identification: Hazardous materials

Faculty of Education - UCM Lab safety

Identification: Hazardous materials

Faculty of Education - UCM Lab safety

Identification: fire

Faculty of Education - UCM Lab safety

Identification: fire

Faculty of Education - UCM Lab safety

Identification: Hazardous materials

Faculty of Education - UCM Lab safety

acid burn & spill

Faculty of Education - UCM Lab safety

Physical hazards are the main risk.

Identification: Hazard recognition

Faculty of Education - UCM Lab safety

electrical risk

Faculty of Education - UCM Lab safety

Electric shock risk

Faculty of Education - UCM Lab safety

electrical hazards

Faculty of Education - UCM Lab safety

electrical hazards

Faculty of Education - UCM Lab safety

resistance of human body

Faculty of Education - UCM Lab safety

electrical hazards

Faculty of Education - UCM Lab safety

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Faculty of Education - UCM Lab safety

safety equipment

Faculty of Education - UCM Lab safety

prudent practices

Faculty of Education - UCM Lab safety

prudent practices

Faculty of Education - UCM Lab safety

prudent practices

Faculty of Education - UCM Lab safety

Right

Wrong

prudent practices

Faculty of Education - UCM Lab safety

Right or wrong?

prudent practices

Faculty of Education - UCM Lab safety

prudent practices

Faculty of Education - UCM Lab safety

prudent practices

Faculty of Education - UCM Lab safety

remember the 5 rules

Faculty of Education - UCM Lab safety

real life

It involves identifying hazards, using the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE), and following safe procedures in every task you perform.

Go safe!

Faculty of Education - UCM Lab safety

Your role in laboratory safety is crucial!

conclusions

• The possibility of suffering harm or loss; danger.
• A factor, thing, element, or course involving uncertain danger; a hazard; e.g., the usual risk of the desert: the heat and lack of water.
• To expose to a chance of loss or damage; hazard.

Take or run a risk: to proceed in an action without regard to the possibility of danger involved in it.

Include toxic chemicals and substances that can cause cancer, reproductive damage or damage to the skin, eyes, mucous membranes, lungs or other internal organs.

Electricity can kill or severely injure people and cause damage to property. There are too many accidents at work involving electric shock or burns. Nevertheless, those using or working with electricity may not be the only ones at risk.

One of the best ways of reducing the risk of injury when using electrical equipment is to limit the supply voltage to the lowest needed to get the job done.

• When smelling chemicals in a lab, you should never directly inhale them. Instead, use the proper technique called wafting to safely detect the odor of a chemical.
• Hold the container at a safe distance (about arm’s length) from your face.
• Gently fan the air above the container toward your nose using your hand. This allows only a small amount of the chemical vapors to reach your nose, reducing the risk of inhaling harmful fumes.
• Sniff cautiously, paying attention to any unusual smells without bringing your face too close.

• Metal test tube holders are commonly preferred for heating purposes because they can withstand high temperatures without melting or catching fire. Metal holders provide a strong grip and do not get damaged by the heat from the Bunsen burner.
• Non-metallic test tube holders, like plastic or wooden ones, are not ideal for handling heated test tubes because plastic may melt when exposed to high heat, and wood can scorch, burn, or become less reliable when exposed to direct flame.

• Always use a proper test tube holder or tongs to grip the test tube securely. Never hold the test tube with your bare hands, as it can become very hot.
• Always point the open end of the test tube away from yourself and others to prevent accidents in case of splashes or the rapid release of gases. Heated substances can cause violent reactions or eruptions.
• Heat the test tube slowly and evenly by moving it back and forth through the flame. Avoid concentrating the heat in one spot, as it can cause the test tube to crack or explode.
• Do not use a cork or stopper in a heated test tube, as the buildup of pressure can cause the test tube to burst.