Laboratory Safety: Electrical Safety in the Laboratory

Although we use it every day, people rarely think about how electricity works and how vulnerable the human body is to electrical shock and burns. This Video On Demand reviews electrical basics: volts, current, amps, circuits and grounding. With this knowledge, viewers better understand how important it is to control electricity in the laboratory setting, and are enlightened as to the risks associated with electricity and liquids as well as combustible vapors or fluids.

Developing safe work practices, including inspecting the insulation on electrical cords, properly loading circuits, positioning equipment to eliminate the use of extension cords, and selecting and using the proper types of equipment, go a long way to promoting lab safety. This video explains when non-sparking motors and on/off switches must be used, and why household appliances must never enter a lab setting. Finally, responding to electrical emergencies in the lab is discussed. Safely assisting a shock victim, dealing with electrical fires and the need for CPR training are all discussed.

The goal of this video is to instill proper respect and caution when using electrical equipment in the lab setting, and to help workers respond properly if an emergency does arise so lives can be saved, injuries minimized and property can be protected. This video is appropriate for every lab worker, as electricity is a power source to be respected and worked with under extreme caution.

This course has been updated to include GHS container labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for GHS compliance.

   This course is in the Video On Demand format, to read about Video On Demand features click here.

All laboratory employees

• Introduction
• How Electricity Works
• Grounding
• Safe Work Practices
• Electrical Equipment & Flammables
• Dealing with Electrical Emergencies
• Review

• Laboratory Safety: Planning for Laboratory Emergencies
• Laboratory Safety: Laboratory Ergonomics
• Laboratory Safety: Flammables and Explosives in the Laboratory