Laboratory Safety

Chemicals in non-production laboratories present distinct, physical health hazards to workers, which is why chemicals are the number one concern for laboratory personnel. In labs, personnel are likely to be exposed to mixtures of certain volatile chemicals. Individually, chemicals may prove quite dangerous or unstable, and when stored beside other unpredictable chemicals or thrown together with dangerous compounds, the potential for risk increases greatly.

There are a variety of chemical properties that can lead to physical health hazards. Chemicals that are flammable and reactive are most closely associated with physical hazards, along with compounds displaying corrosive and toxic properties. Some chemicals may be both flammable and corrosive, or reactive and toxic—each chemical should be treated as a unique hazard presenting unique risks to be controlled for. Two OSHAstandards—the occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals in laboratories standard and the HazardCommunication standards—are the primary regulations in place to help you safeguard your workforce against hazardous chemicals incidents.

An aerial lift is any vehicle-mounted device that elevates personnel to perform work in high places. Types of lifts include extendable boom platforms, vertical towers, and scissor lifts. Aerial lifts are useful for many jobs in general industry, like cleaning, maintenance, inspection, stock picking, etc. But, if you make a living as a painter, HVAC tech, or electrician, then you likely spend a lot of time on aerial lifts.

The objective of this course is to inform personnel working in non-production laboratories using small quantities of numerous kinds of hazardous materials of the general safety and health requirements developed specifically for work in these facilities.