As with any business or scientific concern, commercial, private or public, it is essential that safety is followed in all cases. There are clear and precise guidelines and laws laid down by the government and various safety bodies to try and help such organisations to control any accidental leaks of hazardous material that could bring harm to the wider environment and the people living in it. Here are some of the ways in which they do this.
- Chemical Spill Kits. like those from https://hydepark-environmental.com/spill-response/spill-kits/chemical, need to be on hand and easily accessible at all times. One of the most powerful bodies in the UK that regulates such things, namely the Health and Safety Executive, are very clear that Spill kits should be in a visible place and that training should be provided so that everyone is aware of how to use them and, most importantly, where they are so that staff can get to them.
- Protective gear. There has been a lot of focus on the use of PPE during COVID and the need for its use in the safe conduct of laboratories has not abated even if the coverage and focus on the virus has. Chemicals can give off fumes so face and eye protection is an absolute must.
- Alarm systems and sensors should be of the utmost quality in the lab. The warming that they give if a scentless leak occurs for example can really save lives.