Overly thoughtful analysts will forget to take care of themselves in a spill because they’re so worried about everyone else. This is a problem because they end up exposed to the spill. Always emphasize the importance of treating exposures before spills. #SciSky #ChemSky #EHSky
Acetonitrile is absorbed through the skin in small quantities and metabolizes into cyanide (after
a few steps). Nitrile gloves do not protect you from acetonitrile. It is not a problem in your first 2
years if you ignore these facts. It will be in your first 20 years, though.
#ChemSky #SciSky #EHSky
A biosafety cabinet vents back into the room after passing the air through a HEPA filter. A fume hood vents exhausts the air externally. This is a vital difference your analysts need to understand. Have you quizzed them on it recently?
#ChemSky #SciSky #EHSky
I understand that waste you have over there is hazardous, but if you mark it Hazardous Waste, you can get fined for leaving it on the benchtop uncovered. Talk to your EHS rep about how to label wastes so your good intentions don’t lead to a hefty fine.
#SciSky #ChemSky #EHSky
Sonicators are triple trouble - aerosols, noise and electricity - this week on the Lab Safety Minute! (Also, I REALLY need someone to get that pun) t.co/eNd0bXmAh3
#ChemSky #SciSky #EHSky
The answer to whatever lab safety problem you’re having is “carts” at about the same reliability
that the answer to every question you were asked as a kid in Sunday School was “Jesus.”
#SciSky #ChemSky #EHSky
Here’s your daily reminder that safety glasses don’t actually protect from splashes. You need goggles - preferably indirectly vented - for that. Safety glasses are for impact only.
#SciSky #ChemSky #EHSky
The dirtiest thing in your lab BY FAR is your analyst’s cell phones. They often carry 10x more germs than a toilet seat. If you haven’t banned them from your lab, think good and hard about it.
#ChemSky #SciSky #EHSky
Most new grads working on HPLCs do not know what teflon tape (plumber’s tape) is. Give everyone their own roll. It's a good way to cut down on the number of leaks on your machines, also improving throughput AND decreasing slip hazards.
#ChemSky #SciSky #EHSky
They make look the same but do very different things. Using one in place of the other is a mistake your lab staff will only make once - or never, if you train them first! thelabsafetyminute.substack.com/p/fume-hoods...
#SciSky #ChemSky #EHSky
Supposedly, Napoleon once said “an army travels on its stomach.” I don’t know whether that’s true or not. I do know that a lab can’t move any faster than its glassware washers.
#SciSky #ChemSky #EHSky
Want to cut down on spills due to collisions? You can never have too many mirrored globes or domes at walkway intersections. Rarely will both people see the collision about to happen but common for one of them to notice and stop.
#SciSky #ChemSky #EHSky
You’d think people would get cuts from the little tiny flasks and pipettes, but no. It’s the big 2L+ vessels that do it. Inverting them to mix puts a surprising amount of strain on the necks and they snap. Have your people wear cut-resistant gloves.
#SciSky #ChemSky #EHSky
My grandfather used to mouth-pipette hydrofluoric acid. In case you’re unaware, HF literally eats your bones. That was just how they did it back in the 1950’s. We have it so much better now.
#SciSky #ChemSky #EHSky
The most hazardous part of your laboratory's refrigerator is the door, and for more than one reason. Talk about it with your staff today at The Lab Safety Minute.
#SciSky #ChemSky #EHSky
thelabsafetyminute.substack.com/p/freezer-sa...
Next monday’s lab safety topic points out the hidden connection between your laboratory’s freezer and those sparkly vampires. And no, it’s not that they’re both cold. Getting this one out of the way before I have too many subscribers to actually be embarrassed in front of.
#ChemSky #SciSky #EHSky
Never seen anyone get injured by a falling centrifuge or flying debris. Could it happen? Sure. Does it happen? Not really. On the other hand, I have seen three different lids attempt to eat analysts' fingers. Real talk here: thelabsafetyminute.substack.com/p/centrifuge...
#ChemSky #SciSky #EHSky
