Laboratory safety
Laboratory safety comprises practices and procedures that prevent injury, illness, hazardous exposure, and property damage during laboratory work.
Hazard identification: The process of recognizing sources of potential harm in a workplace or activity. Safety measures begin by identifying chemical, biological, physical, and procedural hazards.
Chemical hazard: A property of a chemical that can cause harm, such as toxicity, corrosivity, or flammability. Chemical hazards determine storage, handling, ventilation, and protective-equipment requirements.
Chemical storage: The organized placement and containment of chemicals according to their properties and compatibility. Separating incompatible substances prevents reactions, fires, and releases during storage.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration: A United States federal agency that sets and enforces workplace health and safety standards. OSHA regulations shape employer duties and chemical hazard communication in many U.S. laboratories.
Occupational health: The field concerned with protecting and promoting health in relation to work. Laboratory safety is one part of the broader effort to prevent work-related illness and injury.
Risk assessment: A systematic evaluation of hazards, likelihood of harm, and potential consequences. It helps determine which laboratory risks require controls and how strong they should be.
Biological hazard: A biological agent or material that can cause infection, allergy, or other harm. Biological materials require precautions against exposure, contamination, and accidental release.
Chemical waste management: The collection, labeling, treatment, and disposal of chemical waste under applicable safety and environmental rules. Safe waste handling prevents exposure and dangerous mixing after experiments end.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health: A United States federal research agency that studies workplace safety and recommends ways to prevent occupational illness and injury. NIOSH research and guidance inform laboratory exposure prevention and safety practice.
Laboratory-acquired infection: An infection acquired through exposure to a pathogen during laboratory work. It is a serious biological safety outcome that containment practices aim to prevent.