Working in a laboratory comes with some unique responsibilities that go beyond performing tests and analyzing samples. A laboratory is a work place filled with biological specimens, chemicals, sharp instruments, and complex equipment.
Because of these hazards, laboratory safety is not an option, it is an essential part of everyday practice. The way you conduct yourself in the lab impacts not only your own safety but also the safety of your colleagues, patients, and the quality of the results you produce.
In this guide, I share some important laboratory safety rules based on standard policies. These rules may seem simple, but each one has a rationale rooted in preventing contamination, injury, and the spread of infections. Keep reading to find out what these rules entail and what you need to do to ensure your own safety and those around you.
1. No Eating, Drinking, Smoking, or Chewing Gum in the Laboratory
One of the most fundamental rules in laboratory settings is that food and drinks must never be consumed inside the lab. Eating, drinking, smoking, or even chewing gum introduces a significant risk of contamination. Biological agents, chemical residues, and aerosolized particles may not be visible to the naked eye, yet they can easily land on drink containers, food wrappers, or anything that comes close to the mouth.
Even something as simple as placing a pen or pencil in your mouth is prohibited. Pens are frequently touched with gloved hands that may have been exposed to specimens or reagents. Without realizing it, you could transfer harmful microorganisms directly to your mouth. This rule is important not only for preventing infection but also for maintaining professional hygiene practices.
2. Never Store Food or Beverages in Laboratory Refrigerators
Refrigerators in laboratories are designated for reagents, specimens, controls, and other materials used in testing and processing. These refrigerators should never contain food or drinks for personal consumption. Even sealed food containers can still become contaminated through accidental spills, aerosolization, and contact with surfaces that harbor pathogens.
Mixing laboratory materials with food items is a violation of safety protocols and can easily lead to cross contamination. For both safety and regulatory reasons, personal food items should always be kept in refrigerators located outside of laboratory work areas.
3. Keep Long Hair Tied Back
If your hair is longer than shoulder length it should always be securely tied back. Loose hair can easily:
- Fall forward into specimens, flames, or chemicals
- Become entangled in instruments or machinery
- Obstruct your vision during critical procedures
Tying back long hair prevents accidental contamination and reduces the risk of injury. Using a simple hair tie or clip is a small action that greatly enhances lab safety.
4. Maintain Short, Clean, and Unpolished Fingernails
Fingernails should be kept short, clean, and free of nail polish or artificial extensions. Long nails can harbor bacteria, tear gloves, or interfere with fine motor tasks. Artificial nails and polish are known to trap microorganisms even after handwashing and may chip off into work areas.
Additionally, biting nails or cuticles is strictly prohibited. Besides being unhygienic, this habit provides an immediate pathway for contaminants to enter the body. Proper nail hygiene ensures that handwashing is effective and that gloves fit securely.
5. Always Wear a fully Buttoned Lab Coat During Lab Activities
The lab coat is an important piece of personal protective equipment (PPE). When worn correctly, with buttons fastened, it serves as a protective barrier against spills, splashes, and accidental contact with hazardous materials.
A major safety rule is that lab coats should never be worn outside the laboratory:
- Do not wear them to lunch breaks.
- Do not wear them while walking in hallways.
- Do not wear them home.
Taking a lab coat outside its designated area transports contaminants into public or personal spaces. Every time you step out of the lab, remove and store your lab coat properly. PPE must always remain within the controlled laboratory environment.
6. Refrain from Applying Cosmetics, Handling Contact Lenses, or Rubbing Eyes in the Laboratory
The eyes, face, and mucous membranes are vulnerable entry points for infectious agents. Activities such as applying makeup, inserting or removing contact lenses, or rubbing the eyes can result in accidental self contamination.
Even if gloves are worn, contaminants can transfer from gloves to the face, and from the hands to contact lenses, which then touch the eye directly. Laboratory personnel must always step outside the testing environment and wash their hands thoroughly before performing any personal grooming or handling their face.
To learn more about proper hand washing in the laboratory click here.
7. Avoid Wearing Long Chains, Large or Dangling Earrings, or Loose Bracelets
Jewelry poses several hazards in the laboratory. Some of these include:
- Dangling items can become caught in equipment
- Loose pieces can fall into specimens or reagents
- Jewelry may harbor microorganisms, especially intricate pieces with crevices
Long chains may swing unexpectedly and touch contaminated surfaces, while long earrings or loose bracelets can interfere with the performance of precise tasks. To maintain a safe working environment, jewelry should be minimized to small, secure pieces that will not interfere with laboratory procedures.
8. Wear a Face Shield for Procedures that may cause Splashes or Aerosols
Certain laboratory tasks, especially those involving specimen processing, can generate aerosols or droplets that contain potentially infectious material. Wearing a face shield provides protection to the eyes, nose, and mouth, three critical pathways of entry for pathogens.
Face shields must be worn when:
- Opening specimen tubes
- Centrifuging
- Vortexing or mixing samples
- Handling bodily fluids that may splash
Using this protective barrier reduces the risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens and other infectious agents.
9. Always Wear Gloves During Phlebotomy and Specimen Processing
Gloves are one of the most important forms of PPE in a laboratory. They protect both the worker and the patient. Gloves must be worn for:
- Phlebotomy procedures
- Handling specimens
- Processing or aliquoting samples
- Cleaning spills
- Working with chemicals or reagents
However, wearing gloves comes with responsibility. They must be:
- Removed before touching personal items
- Removed and disposed of before leaving the lab
- Changed between tasks or when contaminated
- Never reused
Proper glove use ensures that contamination does not spread across surfaces or to other individuals.
Conclusion
Keeping these laboratory safety rules is necessary for maintaining a safe and secure work environment. Each rule, from tying back your hair to wearing proper PPE, plays an important role in preventing accidents and exposure to hazardous materials.
Like every other work place that has rules, the laboratory is no exception. And because of the nature of the work that is done, it is of utmost important to have these rules set up for your protection and the safety of everyone else.