• Question: How do you keep safe in the lab

    Asked by Abi + Molly + Emily ? to Carolyn, Peter, Richard, Sara, Siana on 13 Nov 2015.
    • Photo: Richard Unwin

      Richard Unwin answered on 13 Nov 2015:

      We keep safe in a number of ways. wearing lab coats, gloves and goggles stops chemicals getting splashed onto our skin and clothes, always washing your hands when you leave the lab. We also have to know all of the chemicals we are using, how dangerous they are, what to do if they spill, and if we need to handle then in a special way. If they give off fumes, for example like strong acids, say) then we will handle them in a special ‘fume hood – a plastic cover over the bench with a big fan at the top to draw poisonous fumes out of the lab so we can’t breathe them in.

    • Photo: Siana Jones

      Siana Jones answered on 13 Nov 2015:

      I worry more about keeping the participants who are doing the experiments (exercise tests) safe. For this I keep the space tidy and I have an oxygen source and a defibrillator in the lab.

    • Photo: Carolyn Nielsen

      Carolyn Nielsen answered on 13 Nov 2015:

      You’re also encouraged to try to design experiments so that you don’t need to use potentially harmful or dangerous chemicals. Sometimes you might have a choice between two methods, so it’s better to go with the one that doesn’t use the toxic chemical. This often happens when a new, safer method is developed- people try to phase out the old one. Similarly, there’s a move away from using ‘sharps’ like razor blades to cut things unless absolutely necessary. New, safer tools are always being developed.

      I would also say it’s a good idea not to do lab work when you are really tired! It’s easier to make mistakes and drop things… I know from experience!

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