READ: Laboratory Safety

In the lab there are many safety precautions that must be taken. Depending on the work being done in the lab, the specific safety precautions may vary, but there are general rules and equipment that help ensure your safety, as well as those around you. In a forensics lab keeping the evidence uncontaminated is also a priority. Safety equipment is meant to protect workers in the lab, but it also helps keep evidence from becoming contaminated.

Personal Safety

There are some general types of equipment that are used in all labs to protect workers from various hazards. Some of the hazards that are common in laboratories include flames, chemicals, fumes, biological hazards, spills, and other common injuries such as cuts and falls. Personal protective equipment helps protect you, and those working around you. Many labs have required safety protocols that they must follow.