Setting up a new laboratory or refitting an old one? These are the basics to have in place before the first experiment.
Personal protective equipment
- Safety goggles for everyone at the bench, plus a face shield near corrosives
- Nitrile gloves in several sizes
- Lab coats — cotton or flame-resistant where solvents are used
- Respirator masks where powders or vapours cannot be controlled by ventilation
Emergency equipment
- Eye wash station or bottles within ten seconds’ reach
- A chemical spill kit matched to what you store
- First aid kit, checked monthly
- Fire extinguisher suitable for the chemicals in the room
Put the MSDS for every hazardous chemical where staff can find it, and walk new staff through where everything is on their first day.
