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Safety

Equipment

The physical environment of the clinical laboratory is a complex ecosystem of specialized equipment designed to contain hazards and protect the worker. Safety in this environment is not passive; it requires the active management of mechanical tools, ventilation systems, and emergency response infrastructure. Understanding the specific function and limitations of each piece of equipment - from the glass test tube to the room-sized ventilation system - is the first step in preventing occupational accidents

General

This category covers the “tools of the trade.”

  • Glassware/Sharps: The most frequent source of injury. Safety relies on careful inspection of glass for cracks and the strict segregation of broken glass and needles into puncture-resistant containers
  • Centrifuges: High-energy instruments that require symmetrical balancing to prevent catastrophic mechanical failure. They are also primary sources of biological aerosols
  • Autoclaves: Pressure vessels using high-temperature steam to sterilize waste. Risks include thermal burns and the explosion of sealed vessels

Ventilation

The invisible shield of the laboratory

  • Biological Safety Cabinets (BSCs): Provide local containment for infectious work using HEPA filters
  • Air Exchanges: Laboratories require high ventilation rates (6-12 ACH) with single-pass (non-recirculated) air to dilute contaminants
  • Isolation: Negative pressure rooms prevent the escape of airborne pathogens like TB into the corridor

Safety Equipment

The emergency response infrastructure

  • Communication: Systems like fire pull stations and code calls allow for immediate alarm activation
  • Showers/Eyewashes: The primary first aid for chemical exposure. They must provide 15 minutes of tepid, hands-free flushing and be located within 10 seconds of the hazard

Storage Cabinets

Segregation is the key to chemical safety

  • Flammable Cabinets: Double-walled steel units designed to thermally insulate solvents from external fires
  • Corrosive Cabinets: Plastic or lined units designed to resist acid degradation
  • Protocol: Incompatible chemicals (acids vs. bases, oxidizers vs. flammables) must never be stored together