READ: Laboratory Safety

There are some types of lab equipment that help keep lab workers safe. Each type of equipment is described below.

Fume Hood - A fume hood is a special cabinet that pulls air from inside the cabinet and pushes it outside or through a filtration system. Fume hoods should be used for completing tests where chemical fumes or gases could be created.

Autoclave - An autoclave is a like a pressure cooker. Autoclaves are used to sterilize lab equipment. This is especially useful for sterilizing glassware or other metal utensils that may have contacted biological samples such as blood, saliva, or other body fluids. The glassware is put on a metal tray and the tray is put into the autoclave. The autoclave has water inside. The autoclave uses very high heat and pressure to sterilize glassware and utensils. There is also water in the autoclave so that the items in the autoclave are steam cleaned.

Sharps Container - A sharps container is a plastic box where used needles or other sharp objects are deposited. The container is used to keep workers from accidentally poking themselves with sharp objects that may contain contagious bacterial or viral components.