Laboratory Safety: Planning for Laboratory Emergencies

Fires, chemical reactions and burns, gas leaks and explosions from shock-sensitive materials are some of the dangers lab workers may encounter at any time. Additionally, natural disasters, such as tornados and earthquakes, may trigger chemical spills or contamination. Employees must be familiar with emergency procedures for any of the above scenarios, and more. This Video On Demand reinforces the importance of reading and understanding the lab's emergency procedures manual, knowing where material safety data sheets (MSDS) are stored, and safeguarding lab workers' health before attempting to mitigate property damage.

Viewers learn to evaluate whether a fire is containable, and are familiarized with the classes of fire extinguishers and the types of fires they extinguish. The PASS system for extinguisher use is reviewed. Proper responses for ignited clothing or chemical burns are covered, as is the use of eyewash stations and safety showers. The importance of using personal protective equipment when addressing chemical spills is emphasized, along with accessing spill clean-up kits and using the right materials to neutralize chemicals. A review of air purifying respirators, stressing the need to match chemical filters to vapors, is provided along with a quick check list for testing and using self-contained breathing apparatus. This course outlines procedures for sounding alarms, calling emergency services and evacuation processes. This training program stresses that protecting people's health is the top priority, protecting property is secondary.

When you mix volatile chemicals and hazardous substances with human beings, mishaps and accidents are bound to occur. Being well-trained in emergency response measures helps minimize the adverse health effects of laboratory accidents. This video serves as a concise reminder that lab workers must understand emergency response procedures, spill remediation measures, first aid and most importantly, know their limitations and when to call for the assistance of an emergency response team or fire department. Use this online training to prepare lab workers to react and respond accordingly during an emergency.

This course has been updated to include GHS container labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for GHS compliance.

   This course is in the Video On Demand format, to read about Video On Demand features click here.

Anyone working in a laboratory

• Introduction
• Your Laboratory’s Emergency Plan
• Handling Fire Emergencies
• Handling Chemical Spills
• Utilizing Safety Showers & Eye Washes
• Review

• Laboratory Safety: GHS Safety Data Sheets in Laboratories
• Laboratory Safety: Handling Compressed Gas Cylinders in the Laboratory
• Laboratory Safety: Electrical Safety in the Laboratory