Different Types of Lab Safety Equipment in the Marketplace

All lab safety equipment products are importantwith wash bowls.
installations or additions to other products in theEye wash stations should be positioned in near
laboratory. Accidents can happen anytime and thisworking stations with room temperature, kept
equipment can prevent fatal accidents or minimizeclean and free from dust. In addition, all lab
the danger of accidental exposure to noxiousworker and employees should don fire-retardant
fumes or contaminants.capes and bib to protect the body from flying
Ranges of Lab Safety Equipmentsparks during laboratory duty when handling highly
The laboratory is a setting for different high riskflammable substances.
research activities. An accidental spill of a liquidAir and Ventilation
contaminant on skin surface or eyes or theSome airborne contaminants are odorless and
unexpected combustion of volatile gases are justcolorless or are influenced by the quality of air
some of the dangers lab workers face each timeinside the laboratory. It is a rule that lab safety
they work in the lab. This should not be case ifequipment should include air ventilation because
laboratories are equipped with safety equipmentbreathing air in enclosed placed should be
and quality supplies that ensure safety and cancontinuously replaced with non-laboratory air via a
save lives.vent. All laboratories, especially science school and
Fire Safety Equipmentindustrial labs must be outfitted with air ventilation
Aging lab safety equipment is a hazard too. Theseto prevent fatal inhalation of toxic gases.
should be periodically checked and replaced withThe chemical hygiene plan depends on reliable
newer equipment. Large lab fires are not commonlaboratory ventilation and air detector equipment
but this should not be taken lightly. Students canto determine exposure to toxic vapors. The
accidentally spill flammable solvent and things cansystems should also adhere to the standards of
get out of control very quickly. To keep the labthe Occupational Safety and Health Administration
and laboratory workers protected at all times,(OSHA), American Society of Heating,
they need and must know what to do in case ofRefrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers
fire.(ASHRAE), US Environmental Protection Agency
Emergency showers are designed to provide first(EPA).
aid solutions in case a lab worker catches fireBiological Safety Cabinets
from combusting gases or liquids. Emergency eyeBiological laboratories need biological safety
wash stations may be required in industrialcabinets to prevent biological contamination for
laboratory setting but it would be best to haveboth user and the specimen. The cabinets are
these installed in all laboratories just in case a labspecially designed with high efficiency particulate
employee or student is accidentally exposed toair (HEPA) filters to act on air supply and exhaust
harmful chemicals.systems. There are three types of biological
Emergency drench shower units should be easysafety cabinets and each are designated to meet
to operate and provide a continuous flow waterspecific clinical and research needs for toxicology
until the valve is manually closed. These should beresearch.
made from heavy duty ABS plastic, the same