Common Laboratory Hazards & safety guidelines

Laboratory is probably the most hazardous place in any medical set up.Laboratory workers are exposed to a variety of hazards and hence must observe certain precautions to protect themselves from these as much as possible.

Examples of common hazards include the following: 

•                    Chemical hazards: Toxins, corrosives, flammables, and reactive

•                    Biological hazards: Microbes, animals, plants, and genetically modified agents

•                    Radiation hazards: Ionizing and non ionizing radiation

•                    Physical hazards: Heating devices, noise, projectiles, fire, cold, etc.

•                    Electrical hazards: Fire and shock

•                    Mechanical hazards: Moving machinery

•                    Airborne hazardous materials: Vapors, dust, etc.

•                    Ergonomic factors: Standing, repetitive motion

Symbols of common hazards