- Laboratory Safety Texts and Written Resources
- Links to On-line Laboratory Safety Resources
- Recommended Laboratory Safety Videos
Laboratory Safety Texts And Written Resources
Stephen R. Rayburn, The Foundations of Laboratory Safety: A Guide for the Biomedical Laboratory, Springer-Verlag, New York, 1990. |
This is a comprehensive, cohesive book describing all aspects of laboratory safety. It covers general topics as OSHA regulations, safe use of washing facilities as well as radioisotope use and disposal. This is one of the most readable volumes dealing with laboratory safety, which emphasizes the need to understand the underlying principles of laboratory safety. This book is well referenced and has appendices to deal with some practical issues. This book is also organized to be used in a college level safety course. This book is designed to be used as a reference and a guide for workers in the biomedical labs.
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Committee on Chemical Safety, Safety in Academic Chemistry Laboratories, 6th ed., American Chemical Society, Washington, D.C., 1995. |
This is a short, concise manual (only 80 pages) that briefly touches on some of the more important safety requirements for an academic laboratory that uses chemicals. This booklet is intended for students in chemistry laboratory courses and starts with some of the essential do's and don'ts for work in the lab. The sections are short, but deal with a very broad range of topics and cover the major topics of working safely in a chemical lab.
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Mickey Sarquis, series Editor, Building Student Safety Habits for the Workplace, Terrific Science Press, Miami University Middletown, Ohio, 2000, 216 pages. |
Developed by the partnership for the Advancement of Chemical Technology (PACT) with funding from the National Science Foundation Advanced Technical Education Initiative.
This book is excellent for any laboratory-technician training program. It could be used either as the text for a designated safety course or as supplemental material for other laboratory courses. It is a one of a kind textbook that is designed to teach the current views of prudent laboratory practices and the laws that govern laboratory safety. It is intended as both a resource and activity book for chemistry and chemical technology students, although students in related disciplines will find the information essential. The chapters contain basic information in an explanatory text and also include laboratory or classroom exercises to reinforce concepts. Each chapter contains numerous references and sources of additional information including text as well as on-line resources. Chapters include:
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The Culture of Laboratory Safety
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Precautionary Labels
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Material Safety Data Sheets
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Using Protective Equipment
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Handling Laboratory Equipment
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Safe Handling, Storage, and Disposal of Chemicals
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Emergency Equipment
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Safety Planning and Standard Operating Procedures
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Young, Jay A., ed., Improving Safety in the Chemical Laboratory: A Practical Guide, John Wiley and Sons, New York, 1987. |
This guide is intended for teachers and directors of smaller chemical laboratories. This is a good resource for information about the responsibilities involved in a safe laboratory classroom. It also has a list of topics that need to be addressed when organizing a safety course or incorporating safety into a laboratory course. Each chapter includes a bibliography of safety books, reference materials and audio-visual materials.
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Biosafety in the Laboratory: Prudent Practices for the Handling and Disposal of Infectious Materials, National Academy Press, Washington D.C., 1989 |
This publication is a short document that has sections on the safe handling of infectious agents in tissue culture, containment equipment, and safety in large-scale production. It has sections on safe disposal of infectious laboratory waste as well as safety management. The majority of the book is the appendices, which includes the Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, Recommendations for the prevention of HIV transmission, Government regulations for packaging and shipping agents, and a section for teaching aids and training courses.
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Richardson, J.H. and Barkley, W.E., Eds., Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, 3rd ed., U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Public Health Service Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Institutes of Health, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., March 1993. |
This Government document sets forth the recommended microbiological practices, facilities and equipment for the safe handling of infectious agents in the laboratory. This document is the most important document delineating good, safe laboratory practices for the microbiological laboratory. This document can be accessed at:
http://www.cdc.gov/od/ohs/biosfty/bmbl4/bmbl4toc.htm
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Primary Containment for Biohazards: Selection, Installation and Use of Biological Safety Cabinets, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Public Health Service Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Institutes of Health, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., September 1995. |
The Government document is the definitive statement on Biological Safety Cabinets. The book covers the topics of selection, function and use of Biological Safety Cabinets. It also has sections on the facility and design concepts for microbiological research. This document can be accessed at:
http://www.cdc.gov/od/ohs/biosfty/bsc/bsc.htm
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Stricoff, R. Scott and Walters, Douglas B., Handbook of Laboratory Health and Safety, 2nd Ed., John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 1995. |
This book was written as reference material to be used by laboratory supervisors, safety officers as well as laboratory workers. Federal regulations are discussed throughout the volume along with practical suggestions to make a safer working environment.
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National Research Council, Prudent Practices in the Laboratory: Handling and Disposal of Chemicals, National Academy Press, Washington D.C., 1995. |
This is an essential volume for any laboratory handling chemicals. The book begins with a discussion of the considerations of the culture of safety in the laboratory setting. It contains sections on prudent planning of experiments, use and handling of hazardous compounds, management of chemicals, as well as government regulations that cover laboratories.
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Gershey, Edward L., et. al. Laboratory Safety in Practice: A Comprehensive Compliance Program and Safety Manual, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1991. |
This source provides information on what and how to establish a safe laboratory work environment. It is a good source for a developing program. They provide sample forms and documents that can be adapted to an individual institution. The manual is divided into an administrative section as well as a safety manual. There is an emphasis on the regulations and requirements at the institutional level as well as the general safety policies that are needed for that institution.
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Brinton M. Miller (Editor in Chief), Laboratory Safety: Principles and Practices, American Society for Microbiology, Washington D.C., 1986. |
This book is a compilation of a series of monographs on laboratory safety. Sections include Safety Management, Hazard Assessment, Containment Equipment and Design, Containment Techniques and Accidents and Medical Emergencies. Since there are a number of authors, the flow and depth of information and the depth is not consistent. This book does contain a lot of useful and practical information. The book was written in the late 1980's and is not current as to regulations and newer biomedical standards.
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Fleming, Diane O. Ph.D., et al. Eds., Laboratory Safety Principles and Practices, 2nd Ed., ASM Press, Washington, D.C., 1995. |
A publication of the American Society of Microbiology, the chief concern of this book is safety in the biological laboratory. Sections are included on laboratory-acquired infections, design of biomedical laboratories, safe handling and shipping of biological materials. The appendices include the government documents Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens and the NRC Recommendations Concerning Chemical Hygiene in Laboratories as well as a short First Aid Guide. This book is an essential resource for laboratory directors or biosafety officers as well as personnel interested in personal safety in the biological laboratory.
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Furr, A. Keith, CRC Handbook of Laboratory Safety, 4th Ed., CRC Press, Boca Raton, 1995. |
This book is a detailed reference volume. Sections are included on General Laboratory Safety as well as Emergencies, Laboratory design and operations as well as Chemical, Biological and Radiation safety in a Laboratory setting. The emphasis is on understanding of safety principles as well as incorporating the government regulations into the laboratory atmosphere.
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Basic Laboratory Methods for Biotechnology: Textbook and Laboratory Reference, Lisa A. Seidman and Cynthia J. Moore, Prentice Hall, New York, 1999. |
This book is designed as both a textbook for college biotechnology courses and as a laboratory reference. It contains three chapters specifically about laboratory safety:
Each chapter contains questions for students to answer, many of which are based on actual laboratory scenarios. This book was co-authored by a member of the MATC Biotechnology Program staff. |
Links To On-Line Laboratory Safety Resources
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Excellent Institutional site with articles about safety education and training. Lots of pictures that demonstrate safety principles. Check out what happened when a centrifuge exploded on campus.
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Biotech information site that has a page of resources for general safety. Includes links to sites that include guidelines and standards.
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Site has online manuals for General Laboratory Safety and Chemical and Radiation Safety. This site also includes links to other safety-related sites.
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Commercial site. Excellent source of information, worth browsing the site. Catalog of lab safety supplies: personal protection, supplies, labels, storage and handling equipment. Site contains free information sheets on specific topics such as MSDS. Publishes "Safety News" free online newsletter, "EZ Facts" safety tips and explanations of regulations. Site includes links to other safety sites.
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Commercial site. Flinn is a supplier of educational materials for the Chemical and Biological Sciences, they are also dedicated to laboratory safety. The web site has educator resources to enhance safety in the laboratory including articles on chemical storage, disposal, goggles and safety glasses etc. Excellent resource for teachers to design a safer lab.
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University site with lots of information about Chemical Hygiene, Biological Safety and Radiation Safety. Applies to MSU, but is a good online source to follow. Publishes "Safe Science" Newsletter.
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The mission of this non-profit organization is "to educate and influence society to adopt safety, health and environmental policies, practices and procedures that prevent and mitigate human suffering and economic losses arising from preventable causes." See the section on workplace safety for laboratory information.
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Numerous links, manuals and operating procedures for safety in laboratories. Also links to outside safety sites.
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University site that has links to many safety related sites. Also publishes online "Safety Nets" Short, concise articles on practical handling of laboratory hazards.
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Practical information and safety policies adopted by UVM. Very complete site with many links to outside sources. Numerous safety articles and hints published as well as some graphic examples as to the importance of maintaining chemical safety procedures and storage.
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Information on protecting the environment specifically aimed at small laboratories, which by definition tend to "generate small quantities of a wide variety of pollutants".
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Biohazardous Materials
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Organization for biosafety professionals. Site contains resources for the discipline of Biosafety: Guidelines (NIH, CDC, WHO); Material Safety Data Sheets for Infectious Agents; Risk Group Classification for Infectious Agents.
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Richardson, J.H. and Barkley, W.E., Eds., Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, 3rd ed., U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Public Health Service Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Institutes of Health, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., March 1993.
http://www.cdc.gov/od/ohs/biosfty/bmbl4/bmbl4toc.htm |
This Government document sets forth the recommended microbiological practices, facilities and equipment for the safe handling of infectious agents in the laboratory. This document is the most important document delineating good, safe laboratory practices for the microbiological laboratory.
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Primary Containment for Biohazards: Selection, Installation and Use of Biological Safety Cabinets, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Public Health Service Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Institutes of Health, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., September 1995.
http://www.cdc.gov/od/ohs/biosfty/bsc/bsc.htm |
The Government document is the definitive statement on Biological Safety Cabinets. The Book covers the topics of selection, function and use of Biological Safety Cabinets. It also has sections on the facility and design concepts for microbiological research.
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Fact sheets, safety guidelines and general information on control of microbial and biohazards. Links to Bloodborne pathogens standards. Has a list of Disinfectants their use and efficacy.
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One of many online Biosafety manuals published by University Biosafety Departments. Links to other educational institutes' safety sites.
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One of the now numerous online sites that have BBP training. Safety manuals available online as well as links to Federal sites, Publications, Presentations and Medical Resources.
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Hazardous Chemicals
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EPA searchable site has chemical toxicological information. Listed by chemical name, gives information including estimates on limits of exposure, well referenced.
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Site links to numerous online MSDS sites. If one MSDS link does not list your chemical one of the other sites may. Also has links to written resource materials to interpret MSDS.
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This is a great place to search for a substance you think might be toxic in order to find out more information about it.
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Ergonomics
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Commercial site. Includes many articles about product design and ergonomics. Article and links about ergonomic injuries.
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This site has lots of facts and figures about ergonomic injuries, as well as ideas for prevention and company-wide efforts.
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This clever site guides you through a series of stretches you can do while you sit at your computer to minimize the strain of repetitive computer work.
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This site describes common ergonomic problems affecting laboratory technicians and how to prevent them. Covering everyday tasks like pipetteting, it is maintained by the National Institute of Environmental Health Science (NIEHS).
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Federal Regulations
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Government site that explains the importance of and the requirements for the Laboratory Standard. Links to compliance requirements.
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Describes the regulatory agencies responsible for biotech in the US. Includes links to legal and regulatory resources. This site contains most of the important links for biotech regulations.
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Educational Materials
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Office of laboratory safety in HHMI. Site provides help in lab safety. Source of excellent videotapes to encourage lab safety.
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Commercial site with many education and training pages. The company sells videos and instructional materials, some specific to the school environment. Sells handbooks. Publishes a free e-mail newsletter with safety news and tips.
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Commercial site. Genium publishes pocket guides that contain good information at a reasonable cost. The student guides and MSDS guides are easy to understand sources of safety information.
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Commercial site with free safety information for the World of Business and Industry. Contains numerous free safety information articles, many of which are useful to an educational and laboratory setting. Also is a source of numerous links to other safety-related sites. Publishes a free safety newsletter.
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Commercial site. Publishes free online journal "Safety Currents". Site includes training opportunities, bookstore, industrial and safety news, safety products as well as links to other safety sites and OSHA standards.
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Not for profit center concerned with safety issues in Science education. Publishes laboratory safety guidelines. Is a source for safety related books, manuals and published materials.
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This web-based course is offered for free by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Just register as a guest to take the course, which is entitled "Knowing How to Practice Safe Science".
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Part of the Online Ethics Center for Engineering and Science, this is a great exercise to get students thinking about real-life safety. More Educational Materials Resources are Listed in "Responsible Research".
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Laboratory Safety in Schools
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Although this site covers everything from construction hazards to art room pollution, it also has a section on science laboratory hazards and how to minimize them.
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Information for teachers on lab safety from one of the largest suppliers of products for science education.
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Recommended Laboratory Safety Videos
A few of these videos are:
PRACTICING SAFE SCIENCE
Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) 1992
Produced by Schumann Productions for the HHMI
29 minutes 10 seconds
This video is a look into the academic and medical research laboratory. It was developed by the HHMI in cooperation with the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and is set within the research laboratory. The level of clutter and congestion give the feel of a real workplace. The basic tenet of the video is that the laboratory worker should know the hazards that exist in the lab and be able to assess the associated risks.
The video includes very specific information about some very routine biotechnology methodology such as...
- proper use of the fume hoods
- when to use safety glasses, goggles and face shields
- proper weighing of hazardous materials
- how to choose and when to use gloves
- proper use of electrophoresis equipment
It discusses at length the hazards of phenol and ethidium bromide as well as human blood and tissue.
The strength of this video is that is deals with real life laboratory situations in a real academic laboratory. Not only does it address safety concerns; it also gives a glimpse into the research laboratory for those who are not familiar with what a laboratory looks like. At the end of the tape, look for situations that could be improved with better safety practices.
This is a video for students who are just learning or are competent in the basics of biotechnology and molecular biology. It could be included in any laboratory course working with nucleic acids, or radioactivity.
Safety in the Research Laboratory:
Radionuclide Hazards
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
12 minutes
This is another of the HHMI series related to real life situations in the research biotechnology/medical research laboratory. It demonstrates practical ways to work with radioisotopes. It is designed to be a supplement to any radioisotope training rather than a substitute for training.
This video deals with the major isotopes found today in a research laboratory (32P, 35S, 33P, 3H and 125I) and addresses the hazards associated with these isotopes. The camera follows a technician during a routine 32P labeling. There are good pictures of the safety precautions that should be taken: use of Plexiglas shields, how waste should be isolated and the proper techniques needed to handle isotopes safely. These main principles are emphasized:
- Know your isotope
- Practice ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable)
- Time Distance Shielding
- Use of Personal protective Equipment (PPE)
- Perform correct monitoring of the isotope
and practice good laboratory techniques and know your protocol
The video is a good example of proper technique for working with hazardous isotopes. It assumes that the audience has background knowledge of isotopes, why they need to be avoided and the background chemistry and physics of radioactivity. It is a good supplement for students that are starting to do their own experiments requiring isotopes.
Emergency Response:
Guidelines for Responding to Emergencies in the Biological Laboratory
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
12 minutes
This video is intended as a supplement to general laboratory safety training. Similar to other HHMI videos, it goes directly into a modern research laboratory to demonstrate real laboratory situations. The emphasis is on a response that is quick, knowledgeable and considerate to the personal protection of the individuals involved.
The video teaches that one should react by attending to the injured party, alerting others to the dangerous situation, calling emergency personnel, closing the doors and assisting the professional responders.
The topics covered include...
- Laboratory Fire
- Radiation Spill
- Chemical Spill
- Biological Spill
- Personal Injury
- Clothing on Fire
- Skin Contamination
- Eye Exposure
- Cuts and Puncture Wounds
This video could be used as a supplement to a general biology laboratory course or as a reminder of safety practices that should be followed in a working situation. The video emphasizes that the institution's policies and emergency numbers are the proper way to respond in an emergency situation. There are few specifics, but the video could be used as a springboard for discussion of safety procedures. The most valuable aspect of the HHMI videos is that they are set in real labs they show what an actual lab looks like for students not familiar with a research laboratory.
The printable version of this document.
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