Laboratory Safety: Preventing Contamination in the Laboratory

Chemical contamination in laboratories can lead to false results on tested specimens or to the inhalation, ingestion, absorption or injection of toxins, corrosives or carcinogens by lab workers. A single moment of inattention can have lasting consequences. This online video training outlines the safeguards every lab worker should take to ensure he or she is working as cautiously as possible and protecting the integrity of their work, but more importantly, protecting the health of their lab-mates as well as people outside the lab environment.

This Video On Demand includes a demonstration with luminescent dye to illustrate how easy it is for substances to contaminate work surfaces, equipment, clothing and skin. Considerable emphasis is given to the proper use of personal protective equipment, engineering controls like splash guards, blast shields and exhaust hoods, good housekeeping, and the protection of materials and equipment to guard against contamination.

It’s no accident when lab workers use established protocols to prevent contamination and cross-contamination. Remind them of how easy it is to work safely and work smart, so they don’t put themselves, others, and the credibility of the work they do at risk. Use this online training video to stress the importance of being attentive, considerate and safe while working in a laboratory.

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 lab workers

• Introduction
• Protective Equipment & Engineering Controls
• Safe Work Practices
• Taking Precautions Against Contamination
• Protecting Materials & Equipment
• Review

• Laboratory Safety: GHS Safety Data Sheets in Laboratories
• Laboratory Safety: Handling Compressed Gas Cylinders in the Laboratory
• Laboratory Safety: Electrical Safety in the Laboratory