Lab Safety Best Practices: A Complete Checklist

Why Lab Safety is Non-Negotiable

Laboratory environments involve chemical, biological, physical, and electrical hazards. A single safety incident can injure personnel, damage equipment, cause regulatory shutdowns, and result in significant legal liability. A robust safety culture protects people, preserves business continuity, and is a GLP/GMP compliance requirement.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Checklist

• ✅ Lab coat (cotton or FR cotton — not synthetic near open flames)
• ✅ Chemical-splash safety goggles (not safety spectacles alone when handling corrosives)
• ✅ Nitrile gloves (latex-free; check chemical resistance for specific reagents)
• ✅ Closed-toe shoes (leather, not canvas)
• ✅ Face shield for concentrated acids/bases, pressurized systems
• ✅ Respiratory protection (half-mask with organic vapor cartridge for volatile solvents)

Chemical Storage Rules

• Segregate acids from bases, oxidizers from flammables
• Flammable solvents in FM-approved flammable storage cabinets
• Corrosives in corrosion-resistant cabinets at or below eye level
• Never store chemicals alphabetically — group by hazard class
• All containers labeled (GHS) with date opened and expiry

Fume Hood Usage

• Work with hood sash at marked safe working height (typically 18")
• Keep equipment at least 6 inches inside the hood
• Never block the baffle at the rear
• Test face velocity annually (SEFA standard: 60–100 FPM)
• Keep hood clear of clutter — it's not a storage shelf

Spill Response Protocol

1. Alert others in the lab immediately
2. Identify the chemical from the SDS
3. Don appropriate PPE before approaching the spill
4. Use appropriate spill kit (acid kit for acids, universal sorbent for organics)
5. Contain from outside in, absorb, and place in hazardous waste container
6. Report all spills — even minor ones — in the safety log

Emergency Equipment — Mandatory Minimums

• Emergency eyewash station: ANSI Z358.1 compliant, within 10 seconds of hazard, weekly activation test
• Emergency shower: ANSI Z358.1, within 10 seconds, weekly test
• Fire extinguisher: ABC rated, annual inspection, accessible path
• First aid kit: stocked and checked monthly
• Chemical SDS: accessible for all chemicals in use (digital or physical)

Products from Upashna Enterprises for Lab Safety

We supply a complete range of lab safety products: chemical splash goggles, nitrile gloves (all sizes), lab coats, spill control kits, emergency eyewash stations, and chemical storage cabinets from Honeywell, DuPont, and MSA.