LABORATORY HAZARDS, FIRST AID AND
PRECAUTION
Introduction
Peoples working in the medical laboratory are
exposed to several potential and dangerous
hazards. Chemicals, glassware, Specimen to be
tested can cause serious injury and can be
dangerous to life if handled with careless.
Establishing clean and net, safe habits, proper
precautions at all times and awareness of Safety
practices can minimize the risks.
Common laboratory accidents, precautions and
First Aid are;
Accidents/ Hazards
Toxic Chemicals
These Substances can be absorbed from direct
contact through Skin or by inhaling vapors, or can be
swallowed accidentally while pipetting. Example is
spilling of alkalis or acids on the skin or body.
Burns
Open flames, hot and inflammable liquids and
explosions can cause these. Burns maybe severe if
large area of skin is affected (Example, boiling water
is spilled), while it may be minor if small area of skin
is affected (Example Burn caused by hot glassware
or a Bunsen flame.)
Broken Glass
Broken test tube s, syringes or other glassware
causes them.
Electric Shock
In advanced countries, a low voltage
alternating electric current of 110V is used in
the laboratory, which rarely causes the
electric shock.
In developing countries like Pakistan
alternating electric of 220V is still used in the
laboratory
that is sufficient to produce
electric shocks when faulty equipment is
being handled particularly with wet hands.
Infections
Infections hazards may occur mainly
through bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
The virus has been detected in blood,
breast milk, semen, vaginal secretions,
tears and urines.
Precautions
 Wear laboratory coats and disposable gloves while
handling the samples
All bottles containing dangerous chemicals should
be labeled clearly and its hazards should be noted
with red ink
 Keep bottles on Shelves not higher than eye level.
Take care while opening bottles, and also in pouring
the reagents to minimize spilling.
 Always add acid in to the water drop by
drop, never water in an acid.
 Acids, corrosive liquids, and alkalis
shouldn’t be sucked with mouth.
Never carry large bottles by the neck, but
hold them with both hands.
 Treat all laboratory specimens as
infectious
 Always wash the hands, before eating,
drinking water or smoking.
First Aid
In cases of Acid burns;
 wash affected area such as skin, mouth or eye with
large quantity of water.
 Then bath the affected skin with cotton wool soaked
in 5 % aqueous sodium carbonate.
 In case of Eye use, 5 drops of 5 % aqueous sodium
carbonate.
In case of swallowing accidentally give two whites of
egg mixed with 500 ml of water or milk. Then refer this
to hospital.
In Case of Alkali
 Burns wash affected area with large quantity
of water immediately
 Bath the affected skin with cotton with
soaked 5 % acetic acid or undiluted vinegar.
 In case of accidental swallowing ask patient
to drink,lemon juice or dilute vinegar (1 part
vinegar 3 part water). After this first aid refer
the patient to hospital.
In case of glass wounds
In case of major / severe Burns;
In case of Electric Shock
Turn off the main switch and shift
the patient to hospital immediately.
If the patient is fainting give patient
mouth-to-mouth breath
immediately.
Instruction while working in laboratory.
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No smoking in the working zone of
laboratory
Keep fingernail short
Wear a white laboratory coat while working
in Lab;
Bring your practical notebook in practical
class.
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Always use clean and dry test
tube
Keep the test tube in tilting
position away from you and
other while heating
Heat only contents of the test tube
not the whole tube.
 Keep on moving the test tube while
heating the contents.
 Never move about with filling in the Lab
with a filled pipette in hand. It may danger
to you or other due to falling of reagents.
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Check that nothing except the
required electrical appliance is on.
Clean all working tables and
glasswares at the end of the work
Code of Conduct
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Follow safety procedure and learn know
how to apply first aid
Place the well being and service of the
above your own interests
Work scientifically and with complete
honesty
Don’t waste reagents or other laboratory
supplies