9 Essential Safety Accessories Needed in Labs

Conducting experiments in laboratories can be a risky affair unless you are equipped with the necessary precautions and safety accessories. There can be chemical spills, burns from burners, and even allergic reactions while working in a lab. These injuries, if taken lightly, would lead to many health and safety concerns. So it is necessary to treat them immediately.

Here are some safety accessories to protect you from non-dangerous accidents in a laboratory:

1. Lab Coats

The long white coat is not just the fashion statement of a scientist. It is the most essential safety equipment that protects his clothing and body from coming into contact with potentially harmful liquids and dangerous chemicals. Lab coats are usually long-sleeved, knee-length coats made of absorbent materials like cotton that aid in quick absorption in case of chemical spills.

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2. First Aid Kit

Minor accidents like cuts and burns are quite common in a laboratory. A first aid kit is an inevitable element in all labs. It is very important to treat burns and wounds immediately to prevent the chemicals from entering into the wound. An ideal first aid kit will contain the following things :

• Antiseptic wipes and creams
• Disposable gloves
• Plasters of varying shapes & sizes
• Sterile eye pads
• Bandages and Wound dressings
• Tweezers and Scissors.

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A first aid kit must be labeled properly. To avoid the use of expired products a first aid kit should be inspected and restocked regularly

3. Safety Goggles

Eyes are very delicate organs that require extra protection while working on labs. Safety goggles protect your eyes from vapors, particles, or any dangerous liquids from entering your eyes. They shield both sides of your eyes by acting as a reliable barrier between your eyes and the reactants. Safety goggles are designed based on the purpose for which they are used. Some of them offer protection from laser or UV light hazards.

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4. Disposable Gloves

Disposable gloves are very essential while dealing with dangerous chemicals. They prevent your hands from coming in contact with hazardous chemicals. They reduce the risk of injury and prevent the spread of the reactants you are dealing with.  Disposable gloves are made of latex or nitrile. Disposable gloves come in different sizes and different materials. You need gloves with stronger protection if you are working with more reactive materials. They are mostly chemical and heat resistant gloves that provide extra protection.

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5.Fire Extinguisher and blankets

A fire extinguisher must be placed in an easily accessible place in a lab. They help to kill the flames by cutting off the oxygen supply. Four types of fire extinguishers are designed for different emergencies. 

• Class A extinguishers are used for ordinary combustibles
• Class B extinguishers for flammable liquids and gases
•  Class C fire extinguishers are for electrical equipment, and
•  Class D extinguishers are for combustible metals and metal alloys.

A person working in a lab should compulsorily know the working of the fire extinguisher. A fire blanket is a piece of safety equipment used to smother the flames if the person’s body or cloth catches fire. It can also be used to keep shock victims warm.

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6. Eyewash stations

Eyewash stations are required in the lab to help your eyes from having serious injuries. Sometimes, accidents can cause chemicals or broken glass to get in your eyes. This might give rise to chemical burns, blindness, and any other forms of permanent damage. An eyewash station can help to wash out the foreign materials immediately and save your eyes from further damage.

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7. Chemical Fume Hood

A chemical fume hood is an essential piece of safety equipment to protect the lab personnel from inhaling dangerous chemicals. They have a glass window with a small opening that draws in vapors, gases, and dust and ventilates them out of the lab. They are chemical and fire-resistant.

8. Safety showers

Safety showers in labs can be helpful to remove any harmful chemicals that come into contact with your skin. It is always a better idea to remove the contaminated clothing and enter the shower to remove the traces of any chemicals that are present on the researcher’s body. This would also help in preventing injuries that occur due to overexposure to chemicals.

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9. Laboratory-safe refrigerators

It is not safe to use a domestic refrigerator to store flammable liquids in a lab. The normal refrigerators have a higher temperature and can expose the flammable substances to ignition. A laboratory-safe refrigerator is equipped with self-closing doors, compressors, and magnetic door gaskets with a chiller inside to provide no chance of ignition. They are designed to protect against the ignition of flammable vapors both inside and outside the refrigerator.

Conclusion

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Taking safety precautions while working in a laboratory is as important as experimenting. Proper hygiene must be maintained and experiments must be done carefully in a laboratory. You must always make sure that the safety pieces of equipment are easily accessible and restocked at regular intervals. Always consult a doctor if you are exposed to major accidents in a lab. Visit GoKimco for a wide range of chemicals, cleaners, and lab supplies.