Your work in the lab requires careful handling and storage of all chemicals, biological, and other potentially hazardous materials. Therefore, one needs to be familiar with a few basic principles for safe handling of these items is to understand more about biological safety cabinets.
These are cabinets installed in laboratories or production facilities and contain receptacles for storing materials used in laboratories or offices/work areas that can cause irreversible injury when mishandled or inhaled. Take a look at these ten safety tips for ensuring better safety with your cabinets:
- While using these cabinets, let the cabinet run for five minutes without using it for any work. This will purge all the airborne contaminants available in the environment of your working area.
- Keep the door of your cabinet open with the lock disengaged. Do not keep the lid down, as this may trap dust and other contaminants on the surface.
- Replace the lid with a new one before refitting it in its place so to avoid trapping dust and contaminants inside.
- Plan for a backup and alternative system for handling hazardous materials if your cabinets malfunction, get damaged, or are not operating properly.
- Install at least one biological safety cabinets for each area in your laboratory. You may use an existing office/work area or create a new one by building your safe room.
- If you are using a chlorine-based disinfectant, after every contact, make sure to wipe the entire surface on the internal side with a 70 percent solution of alcohol.
- Ensure that the standard operating procedures (SOPs) are followed while working with these cabinets. This will help keep the entire laboratory/office safe from any microbial contamination or leakages.
- Keep one box of personal protective equipment (PPE) as it helps if a spill happens or your cabinet malfunctions and you need to exit the area.
- Never leave any equipment or containers open inside the cabinet, especially around the exhaust, as this can cause hazardous material to emanate from your cabinet.
- Setting up and using a biological safety cabinet is important in designing a safer and healthier laboratory.
Take these tips into consideration while working with this system to avoid any problems that may arise due to its use. Follow these tips and ensure healthy work environments for your employees as well!
Original Source: https://globallabsupply.blogspot.com/2022/04/10-step-guide-for-biological-safety.html
