Lab Safety Training
A laboratory is a location set aside for experimentation, observation and testing. The type of experimentation taking place defines the purpose of laboratory and the safety training needed. The goal of laboratory safety training is to give everyone working in the laboratory a basic knowledge of the safety issues they may encounter, and how to work around these issues to reduce the chance of accidents. With proper laboratory safety training a workplace can reduce accidents, improve efficiency and decrease costs.
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Laboratory Hazard Assessment
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In order to create a proactive training program, responsible personnel must first assess the hazards associated with their workplace. This can be done with the help of an industrial hygienist, safety officer or other safety professional who is available to work with laboratory personnel on safety issues. Topics for consideration will include, but are not limited to, the type of research being conducted, the materials being used (such as chemical, biological or radiological materials), security issues, personnel and equipment.
Training Matrix
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Once a safety assessment has been conducted, a training program can be created. Any training program must take into consideration the audience to which the training materials are being presented. Some training programs require all personnel to take the same basic classes. Others create a training matrix that cross references job titles or skills with specific training components.
For example, a laboratory manager of a small analytical testing laboratory works in all areas of the laboratory. Because of this, the safety officer has decided the lab manager must take courses in chemical management, laboratory safety and radiation safety. A laboratory technician who is supervised by the lab manager is described as a person who works in very specific areas of the laboratory. The technician needs to take only the chemical management and laboratory safety courses because he does not work in or around radiological materials.
The same training matrix principle can be applied to personnel based on specific job tasks, the experiments they are doing, or their educational background and/or previous work experience.
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Emergency Preparedness
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Once a training program is outlined, specific training classes must be created or purchased and presented to laboratory personnel. It is important to include specific information that applies to unique equipment, materials or experiments performed in the laboratory. But laboratory safety must also include basic information. A proactive goal of safety training is to prepare personnel to handle emergencies before they occur. Emergency preparedness should include information on how and when to contact emergency response crews, what to do in case of environmental emergencies such as severe weather or earthquakes and what to do in case of the release of hazardous materials.
Universal Issues
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Other information to include in laboratory safety training are the scientific issues that apply to all laboratories. Topics such as food and drink in a laboratory, workplace security, preventing contamination, disposal of hazardous materials and proper chemical storage and segregation are all important laboratory safety training issues. These topics, and others associated with a laboratory, can be approached in one comprehensive course or in separate training classes that deal with specific safety issues.
Laboratory Safety Culture
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The ultimate goal of any laboratory is to create a safety culture where everyone is working safely and possess a shared goal of maintaining a safe working environment. Training is an important part of safety culture. Laboratory safety training gives all laboratory personnel safety knowledge so each can contribute to a safe working environment.
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References
- Photo Credit scientist professor working in the laboratory image by Canakris from Fotolia.com
