‘Safety first’: A simple and practical safety manual for the analytical laboratory

Abstract

The emerging analytical laboratory of the late 1990s is based on the technical, quality assurance/quality (QA/QC) control, and safety manuals. While much emphasis has been placed on analytical techniques and QA/QC programs, laboratory safety should not be addressed only in cases of emergency. However, following safety guidelines may not be simple. In many cases in the United States, Federal or State laws, and city or county ordinances are not clear, or limited in scope. University‐affiliated laboratories can often rely on the office of safety and environmental health for university‐wide safety policies. Because these policies are often difficult to implement and because relying on common sense for laboratory safety is insufficient, we drafted ‘Safety First’, a simple and practical laboratory safety manual. Its objective is to highlight the ‘details’ that make the laboratory a safe and pleasant place to work in. It is not intended to replace any other official safety document. It is primarily intended for University‐affiliated laboratories, but it may be easily adapted to other laboratory conditions, under the direction of the safety officer.