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DOHS Home
Health and Wellness
Health and Wellness
Air Quality
Blood Pressure
CPR/AED
Employee Assistance Program
Ergonomics
Ergonomics
Back Health
Chairs
Equipment
Exercises and Stretches
Prevention
Program Policy, Evaluations and Training
Nursing Mothers
Occupational Medical Service
Occupational Medical Service
CPR/AED Training and AED Locations
Contact Occupational Medical Service
FAQs: Occupational Medical Service
Foil the Flu
Handicap Parking Request
Medical Emergencies
Preplacement Evaluations For Employees
Release of Medical Records
Returning to Work Evaluation
Summer Student Evaluations
Surveillance Programs
Travel and Related Accommodations
Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Safety
Safety
NIH Respiratory Virus Guidance
NIH Respiratory Virus Guidance
Executive Summary
Staff Wellness
Self Assessment
What to Do if You are Sick or Test Positive
Vaccination
Hygiene
Facial Coverings
Laboratory Specific Considerations
Resources
Asbestos Program
Food & Water
Food & Water
Drinking Water Safety
Food Safety
Incidents & Accidents
Incidents & Accidents
Animal Injury Reporting
Injury and Illness Investigation
Medical Emergencies
Occupational Medical Service
OSHA Recordable Injuries
Spill in Laboratory
Unsafe or Unhealthful Conditions Reporting
Laboratory
Laboratory
Biological Safety
Biological Materials Shipping (Imports/Exports)
Chemical Monitoring
Chemical Safety
Electronic Registration System (ERS)
Laboratory Clearance
Laser Safety
Primary Barrier Equipment
Safe Laboratory Practices and Procedures
Safety and Health Specialists
Surveys and Inspections
Non-Ionizing Radiation
Oxygen Monitoring Devices
Personal Protective Equipment Programs
Personal Protective Equipment Programs
Hearing Conservation
Laboratory Coats
Respiratory Protection
Safety Glasses
Safety Shoes
Portable High Efficiency Air Filtration Device Test Program
Publications
Safety and Health Committees
Safety and Health Committees
IC Safety and Health Committee
Institutional Biosafety Committee
Occupational Safety and Health Committee
Training
Training
Basic Life Support – Full Course
Basic Life Support – Renewal Course
CPR/AED Registration (Intranet Only)
Employee Assistance Program Workshops
Ergonomics
HHS Supervisor Training (Intranet Only)
Laboratory Safety Training
Lay Responder CPR/AED Course
National Biosafety and Biocontainment Training Program
Student Laboratory Safety Training
Workplace
Workplace
Employee Health Protection and Promotion
Federal Resources
Unsafe or Unhealthful Conditions Reporting
Your Role
Your Role
Contractors
Design, Construction and Maintenance Workers
Healthcare Workers and Hospital Staff (Intranet Only)
Laboratory Workers
Office Workers
Personnel Working With Animals
Principal Investigators
Supervisors and Managers
Events
Events
Community Outreach
In Focus! Safe Workplaces For All Photo Contest
In Focus! Safe Workplaces For All Photo Contest
FAQs
Full Contest Rules
Prizes and Winner Selection
Winning Photos
NIH Mission First! Safety Always Award
NIH Mission First! Safety Always Award
Nominate A Colleague
2017 Winners
2015 Winners
2014 Winners
2013 Winners
2012 Winners
Safety, Health and Wellness Day
Spring Into Wellness
Contact Us
Contact Us
About DOHS
Complementary Safety Health and Wellness Support
Contact Info
FAQs
Safety and Health Specialists
Safety Listserv
Safety Talkback for the Workplace Box
DOHS
Safety
Laboratory
Safe Laboratory Practices & Procedures
Safety
Safe Laboratory Practices & Procedures
Page Content
Tip #1: Ask yourself, "What am I working with? What are the hazards?"
Common hazards in the laboratory include: animal, biological, chemical, physical, and radiological. If there is an accident or emergency situation involving these hazards:
Seek immediate assistance. If you are splashed by any of these materials, use running water from an eyewash station or emergency shower for at least 15 minutes or until emergency assistance arrives and provides you with different instructions.
Report to your supervisor any accident, injury, or uncontrolled release of potentially hazardous materials - no matter how trivial the accident, injury, or release may appear.
Tip #2: Be prepared.
Attend all required laboratory safety training prior to the start of your research assignment.
Read all procedures and associated safety information prior to the start of an experiment.
Perform only those experiments authorized by your supervisor.
Follow all written and verbal instructions. Ask for assistance if you need guidance or help.
Work under direct supervision at all times. Never work alone in the laboratory.
Know the locations and operating procedures for all safety equipment. This includes the eyewash station and safety shower.
Know the locations of the nearest fire alarms and at least two ways out of the building. Never use an elevator in emergencies.
Be alert and proceed with caution at all times in the laboratory. Immediately notify the supervisor of any unsafe conditions.
Know the proper emergency response procedures for accidents or injuries in the laboratory.
Tip #3: Prevent potential exposure.
Conduct yourself in a responsible and professional manner at all times. No pranks. No practical jokes.
Dress for work in the laboratory. Wear clothing and shoes that cover exposed skin and protect you from potential splashes. Tie back long hair, jewelry, or anything that may catch in equipment.
Never eat food, drink beverages, chew gum, apply cosmetics (including lip balm), or handle contact lenses in the laboratory.
Use a chemical fume hood or biosafety cabinet, as directed by your supervisor.
Observe good housekeeping - keep aisles clear.
Report damaged electrical equipment to the supervisor. Do not use damaged electrical equipment.
Do not leave active experiments unattended. Never leave anything that is being heated or is visibly reacting unattended.
Tip #4: Protect yourself, others, your research, and the environment.
Practice good personal hygiene. Wash your hands after removing gloves, before leaving the laboratory, and after handling a potentially hazardous material.
While working in the laboratory, wear personal protective equipment - eye protection, gloves, laboratory coat - as directed by your supervisor.
Properly segregate and dispose of all laboratory waste.