University Laboratory Safety: Working Safely

In this course, you will learn how to work safely in a university laboratory. We will cover 4 important topics: prudent practices, recognition of exposure, emergencies and laboratory security. The prudent practices section offers a number of common sense rules about health and hygiene, basic housekeeping and waste disposal. In the next part, you will learn some of the signs and symptoms of exposure to dangerous chemicals and what you should do if you think you have been over-exposed. Next, we will explain how to stay prepared for emergencies such as sharps punctures, fires, earthquakes and chemical spills. Finally, we will explain how to mitigate risks like theft, threats from activists, vandalism and information leaks by putting appropriate security measures in place.

By the end of the course, you will have a better understanding of the many practical steps you can take to avoid accidents, injuries and security breaches while working in your university’s laboratory.

Courses in this series:

University Laboratory Safety: Analyzing Biological Hazards
University Laboratory Safety: Analyzing Chemical Hazards
University Laboratory Safety: Analyzing Hazards
University Laboratory Safety: Developing and Using Controls
University Laboratory Safety: Working Safely