Ensuring laboratory safety: Essential rules and practices

Lab safety is crucial in any clinical environment because having the right equipment, rules, guidelines, and practices in place is essential for maintaining the overall quality, accuracy, and integrity of research.¹

At LabLeaders, we recognize the importance of safe laboratory practices more than most. That’s why we’ve put together this guide of essential rules and practices towards minimizing the risk of accidents taking place and ensuring high clinical standards are maintained.

To help create a secure laboratory environment, it is crucial to develop, implement, and, most importantly, enforce a comprehensive safety plan. With this in mind, there are three key strategies all clinical lab environments need to consider.

1. Laboratory safety protocols

One of the most fundamental steps in creating a safe laboratory environment is to establish clear safety protocols.² These should be thoroughly documented and communicated to all lab personnel. 

As part of these safety protocols, there should be clearly worded guidance on:

• The proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE): Lab personnel must wear appropriate laboratory PPE, such as gloves, lab coats, and eye protection, to reduce the risk of exposing themselves to harmful substances.^2,4

• How to handle hazardous materials: There must be guidelines in place for the safe handling, storage, transport, and disposal of hazardous chemicals and biological materials to prevent accidents and contamination. It’s also important to understand how to handle materials based on whether they’re corrosive, flammable, reactive, or toxic.^3,5

• Guidelines for emergency procedures: Clear procedures should be established for responding to emergencies such as spills, fires, or exposure-related incidents with all lab personnel able to respond quickly and appropriately.^3,6

2. Laboratory personnel training programs

Comprehensive training programs should be mandatory for all lab personnel, covering all aspects of laboratory safety, including the proper use of equipment, safe handling of hazardous substances, and emergency response procedures.3 These training programs should also be ongoing, with regular updates and refresher courses available to keep all personnel up to date on the latest protocols and best practices.⁷

All lab personnel should be able to easily identify which types of training they are required to take depending on the specific lab work they are doing. Creating a training matrix that details which types of training programs are required or recommended, for example, can help lab personnel stay up to speed.⁸

Many of the accidents that occur in laboratories are caused by the improper use of laboratory equipment, most commonly electrical devices that work with compressed gases.⁴ However, there are several other potential hazards that lab personnel must be aware of and pay special attention to, including:^4,9

• Electromagnetic radiation from lasers and radio-frequency-generating devices.
• Floods from water-cooled equipment.
• Bodily harm while using machines or tools used for cutting and drilling.

Lab personnel should be trained on lab-related first-aid procedures and guidelines, and lab safety drills that mimic real-life scenarios can reinforce all forms of training, ensuring that everyone understands their roles and responsibilities in the event of an emergency.^6,7 At the same time, performing these evaluations can help to identify any areas where further training may be required.^6,7

3. Regular safety equipment audits
Regular safety audits are crucial for maintaining a safe laboratory environment. These audits should be performed annually by trained safety officers and assess all aspects of lab safety — from the correct maintenance of medical equipment to how to properly dispose of waste materials.^3,10

During a safety audit, it’s important to carefully evaluate the following areas:^10,11

• Overall condition of medical equipment.
• Security, storage, and labeling of hazardous materials.
• Biosafety and waste management procedures (including collection, sorting, handling, disposal, and staff protection measures related to biohazardous materials).
• The proper use and maintenance of laboratory PPE.
• Preparedness and response to emergency protocols.
• Electrical safety procedures.
• Chemical fume hoods and biosafety cabinets.

Performing these evaluations on a regular basis helps laboratories maintain a high standard of safety and compliance with regulatory requirements whilst protecting the safety of lab personnel.

While the strategies above can help lab leaders develop effective safety protocols, there are some general tips that are important for all laboratories and their personnel to remember.

• Understand the environment: All lab personnel must be familiar with the layout of the lab, especially in terms of how to access equipment. Make sure there is clear signage and guidance regarding the location of fire extinguishers, eye wash stations, or emergency exits.²
• Maintain lab equipment correctly: Correctly maintaining and managing medical equipment is crucial to not only operating in line with manufacturer specifications but also guaranteeing the safety of patients and lab personnel.¹²
• Follow general housekeeping rules: All lab personnel have a responsibility to keep their work areas clean, tidy, and free of clutter. They should also always maintain the correct dress code — tying hair back when required, removing loose clothing and jewelry, and never wearing open-toed shoes while inside the lab.²
• Protect each other: The more laboratory personnel do to protect themselves and abide by the safety protocols they’ve been set, the more of an example they’ll set in encouraging others to do the same. Even simple things like conducting yourself in a professional manner, wearing laboratory PPE, and properly disposing of laboratory waste can make a big difference in establishing a more efficient working environment.¹³

While clinical laboratories may be an area where innovation and scientific discovery are able to thrive, they can also be a hotspot for potential accidents and hazards.³ That’s why lab safety measures that create a secure laboratory environment are essential, not only for protecting lab personnel but also for maintaining the highest standards of clinical research.

By establishing rigorous lab safety protocols, providing continuous training, and conducting regular safety audits, lab leaders can ensure that their facilities and workflow remain safe and streamlined while complying with all relevant regulations.