If you examine your recent accident and injury reports, we bet that the most frequent type of injury will be cuts or lacerations. Given the volume of glassware used, the frequency of daily use, and the diverse types of glassware in many laboratory operations, chances are great that someone is going to have an accident that results in cuts, slashes, or slices. Minor cuts are the most frequent result of laboratory glassware accidents. But more serious accidents present hazards from flying glass, exposure to chemical solutions, and potential fires. Subsequent tips will help one and all to have a safe environment in the laboratory.
Primary tip is to have no food or drink in the lab. This is one of the most common bad habits found among personnel and easily one of that hardest to kick. Everyone enjoys a good coffee or ice water while at work. But removing food and drink from the laboratory has multiple benefits. First, it reduces distraction. When performing critical tasks, any distraction is bad. Remove any and all distractions to help prevent injury or loss. Second, food waste can be messy. Messes reduce efficiency and promote risk of contamination. And last but definitely not least, it is a safety best-practice. A worse case example is one coming out of Tacoma, Washington. A young woman died four days after accidentally ingesting a saline solution containing sodium azide during an AP class.
Next tip is to take special care when washing glassware by hand. This single task is the source for most of the injuries. Wear heavy duty gloves and handle glassware delicately. Beware of potentially hot glass. The problem is that glassware looks the same whether it is hot or not. We recommend you develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) that follow routines and set up out of the way areas for allowing hot glassware to cool. Keep appropriate gloves hanging near autoclaves and other apparatus where glassware is routinely heated.
Consequent tip is to handle glass tubing carefully. Another common procedure in labs is inserting glass tubing into rubber stoppers or similar operations. These tasks are safer and easier if the glass tube is first lubricated. Laboratory grease is best but may not be suitable for all applications. Remember even deionized water is better than nothing. Be sure to wear appropriate gloves or protect hands with rags or other means. Ditto for plastic tubing. Lubricate the nipple or side arm of the flask and then gently work the tubing on, using gloves of course. The bigger problem we run into here is when removing plastic tubing. Do not try to pull it off. Put the tubing and nipple against a strong support and cut the tubing close to the end of the glass. Finish by then cutting the tubing lengthwise along the nipple and removing the waste material.
Subsequent tip is to pay attention to fittings. After tubing, the many different types of glass fittings present the next biggest potential for accidental cuts. From the barbed glass nipples to the ground glass joints, when it comes to mating fittings problems arise. Take care when making and undoing connections. Choose hardware that is less prone to "freezing." Use care when dealing with frozen joints. Applying laboratory grease can reduce the likelihood of "freezing." If grease is not suitable, Teflon sleeves may be an option. Soak frozen joints overnight to loosen. Failing the soak, heat may be used. First try a heat gun. Also, a gas torch works well but all flammable solvents must be removed first and proper technique used. Heat the outer surface quickly, hopefully while keeping the inner glass piece from heating too much. Tug gently while heating and do not heat for more than about 30 seconds.
Primary tip is to have no food or drink in the lab. This is one of the most common bad habits found among personnel and easily one of that hardest to kick. Everyone enjoys a good coffee or ice water while at work. But removing food and drink from the laboratory has multiple benefits. First, it reduces distraction. When performing critical tasks, any distraction is bad. Remove any and all distractions to help prevent injury or loss. Second, food waste can be messy. Messes reduce efficiency and promote risk of contamination. And last but definitely not least, it is a safety best-practice. A worse case example is one coming out of Tacoma, Washington. A young woman died four days after accidentally ingesting a saline solution containing sodium azide during an AP class.
Next tip is to take special care when washing glassware by hand. This single task is the source for most of the injuries. Wear heavy duty gloves and handle glassware delicately. Beware of potentially hot glass. The problem is that glassware looks the same whether it is hot or not. We recommend you develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) that follow routines and set up out of the way areas for allowing hot glassware to cool. Keep appropriate gloves hanging near autoclaves and other apparatus where glassware is routinely heated.
Consequent tip is to handle glass tubing carefully. Another common procedure in labs is inserting glass tubing into rubber stoppers or similar operations. These tasks are safer and easier if the glass tube is first lubricated. Laboratory grease is best but may not be suitable for all applications. Remember even deionized water is better than nothing. Be sure to wear appropriate gloves or protect hands with rags or other means. Ditto for plastic tubing. Lubricate the nipple or side arm of the flask and then gently work the tubing on, using gloves of course. The bigger problem we run into here is when removing plastic tubing. Do not try to pull it off. Put the tubing and nipple against a strong support and cut the tubing close to the end of the glass. Finish by then cutting the tubing lengthwise along the nipple and removing the waste material.
Subsequent tip is to pay attention to fittings. After tubing, the many different types of glass fittings present the next biggest potential for accidental cuts. From the barbed glass nipples to the ground glass joints, when it comes to mating fittings problems arise. Take care when making and undoing connections. Choose hardware that is less prone to "freezing." Use care when dealing with frozen joints. Applying laboratory grease can reduce the likelihood of "freezing." If grease is not suitable, Teflon sleeves may be an option. Soak frozen joints overnight to loosen. Failing the soak, heat may be used. First try a heat gun. Also, a gas torch works well but all flammable solvents must be removed first and proper technique used. Heat the outer surface quickly, hopefully while keeping the inner glass piece from heating too much. Tug gently while heating and do not heat for more than about 30 seconds.
About the Author:
Kaira G. Tafoya has spent the past 30 years helping entrepreneurs and organizations with their laboratory start-up endeavors. He now uses his experience and expertise to help groups choose the best laboratory compliance consultant for them. If you would like to learn more about Top Laboratory Start Up in Fort Worth he suggests you visit his friend's to learn more.
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