All of us know that all equipment in laboratory Malaysia is pricey. And some of this equipment in laboratory Malaysia can be dangerous if not used correctly. So let’s all know about the rules before handling equipment in laboratory Malaysia.
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Dress Appropriately
Before entering the lab, make sure to put on a lab coat. The coat should always be worn with the sleeves rolled down. You need to wear closed shoes. Open shoes, such as sandals, are a no-go as a falling item could injure your feet and a potential acid spill could damage your skin. Long pants are a must, as skirts and shorts expose the skin to dangerous chemicals. Avoid wearing loose sleeves, as they are impractical when working.
When you do your work, tie back long hair. Loose hair could catch fire when working with a Bunsen burner. You only need to bring the things you need into the lab. That means you should leave all your personal items, such as bags and jackets outside. Also take off your watch and jewelry before entering the lab.
Keep A Tidy Lab
The fume hood is a ventilated workbench that protects you from hazardous fumes. It only works if air is flowing. Which you can check by sticking a small piece of paper into the hood. You should work with the sash down, and usually there will be a mark. The mark will show how far you can move the sash up, without compromising airflow.
Make sure all emergency exits are clear. There should be two in the lab. Virtual lab with safety hazards. Keep your lab bench tidy and make sure that there are no hazardous chemicals in the way when you start a new experiment. Food and drinks are strictly prohibited in the lab, and with good reason.
Remember to put labels on your work. On samples, make sure to write what it contains as well as your initials so everyone sharing the lab knows they belong to you.
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Know Your Lab Safety Symbols
In the lab, there are two commonly used types of hazard symbols: The GHS hazard symbols and the Fire Diamond. The GHS hazard symbols and their meanings are listed in the figure on the labpad below.
The Fire Diamond shows the dangers associated with hazardous chemicals. There are 4 squares in different colors, and in each square (except the white one), there is a number ranging from 0-4, where 4 is the most hazardous. Red indicates flammability, blue indicates health and yellow indicates reactivity. The white square indicates a special hazard.
Handle Chemical Spills Properly
If you accidentally spill a chemical, try to remain calm and figure out what it is. You should immediately warn everyone that something has been spilled. You should never touch, smell or in any other way interact with the chemical before you know what you are dealing with.
If you spill a large amount, make sure you evacuate the lab, and call the emergency personnel. But if you spill a small amount, and you know what has been spilled. So that you can go ahead and clean it up. In the case of acids or bases, the spill needs to be neutralized. To neutralize an acid spill, use baking soda and to neutralize a base spill, use acetic acid. Don’t use water to neutralize them. Remember to remove your gloves once you’ve been in contact with chemicals, as they may be contaminated.
Know Your Safety Equipment
- First aid kit: This contains disinfectants, bandages and other things that can be used to treat minor injuries, such as cuts.
- Fire extinguisher: There are different types of fire extinguishers: CO2 and foam. The foam extinguisher, also called an ABC extinguisher, can be used for most fires. Never use a CO2 fire extinguisher on a person, as it is extremely cold.
- Safety shower: Use this to wash yourself in case you come into contact with dangerous chemicals. If your clothes catch fire, the safety shower should also be used.
- Fire blanket: This is made of non-flammable fibers. Use it for small fires, or for covering yourself in case you are fighting a larger fire. Never wrap a person whose clothes are on fire in a fire blanket, as it can create a chimney effect and cause burns on the person’s body and face. Instead they should roll on the floor to try to put out the fire, or step under a safety shower, if there is one in close proximity.
