What is a Chemical Hygiene Plan and Why Does Your Lab Need it?
OSHA requires many labs in the United States to have chemical hygiene plans, or CHPs, to protect their employees from chemicals that can damage their health.
Read moreBeryllium Safety
Beryllium is identified as a listed toxic substance and employers are required to protect workers from beryllium exposure in a number of ways. Learn more!
Electrical Safety for Research and Education
Electricity is a vital part of research and education facility operations, but it can also pose an extreme health hazard in those facilities.
Read moreSecurity Threat Awareness
While most workplaces are generally safe environments, employees should be aware of potential security threats and prevention tactics.
Read moreGlobally Harmonized System (GHS)
In 2012, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) adopted new hazardous chemical labeling requirements. Almost all chemical manufacturers, importers, distributers and employers in the United States are now required to use the Globally Harmonized System of Classifying and Labeling Chemicals (GHS). This new system updated the requirements for safety data sheets (formerly Material Safety Data Sheets) and chemical labels.
Read moreOrganic Peroxides in the Workplace
Organic peroxides are highly useful chemicals which are used in a wide range of laboratory and plastics manufacturing applications. They are also unstable and require care during transportation, handling and storage.
Read moreHow Does OSHA Protect Laboratory Workers from Bloodborne Pathogens?
As part of the bloodborne pathogens, or BBP standard, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, requires many workplaces to have policies and controls in place to protect employees from cuts, needlestick injuries and exposure to blood borne pathogens. While OSHA regulations do not apply to every lab environment or work position, these guidelines can form the basis for safe work practices that every lab can follow.
Read moreBiosafety Levels in the Laboratory
In the United States, biosafety levels are defined by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). They outline four biosafety levels, or BSLs, that are ranked from 1 to 4 based on the level of risk. BSL-1 precautions are used for the least hazardous biological agents and practices, while BSL-4 precautions are for the most hazardous.
Read morePreventing Injuries from Broken Laboratory Glassware
No matter when and where it happens, broken glassware is an inconvenience at best. But when laboratory glassware breaks, it can do a lot of harm. Injuries from broken glassware can range from a small cut to a serious health risk.
Read more