• A place equipped for experimental study in a science or for testing and analysis. 
• A place providing opportunity for experimentation, observation, or practice in a field of study.
• A facility designed for conducting experiments.
  

Hazard is :

• a condition that could lead to an accident.
• are things that are likely to cause accidents.

 Accident is an:

•  unintended event or series of events that results in death, injury, loss of system or service, or environmental damage. 
• unexpected and unwanted occurrence which could result to an injury to a person,damage to equipment,materials or the environment.

        hazard                                                                   Example                                                                                  accident it can cause                                

1. Corrosive substances                                      Acid                                                       cause irritation to the skin and corrosion to the surface
   
2.  Flammable substances                              spirit                                                    may catch fire and burn things in the laboratory
3. Toxic substances                         poisonous fumes and  chemicals                 breathing problems(fumes) and sickness(chemicals) 
   
4. Electricity                                      naked electric cables                                      electric shock when touched
5. Slippery surfaces                         wet floor                                                            slip,fall and hurt a person
6. Sharp objects                                  razor blade                                                           cut and cause bleeding

Workplace hazard are the sources of potential harm or damage to someone or something in any work environment. It can be material or any activity that has the likelihood to cause injuries under specific conditions. It should be eliminated as soon as they are identified to prevent workplace incidents or fatalities.

types of workplace hazard

1. Safety hazard is the most common type of hazard that is always present in a construction site. It includes unsafe working conditions that can cause injury, illness, or death. 

2. Biological hazards associated with working with animals, people, or infectious plant materials. Most at-risk workers include those who work in schools, daycare facilities, colleges and universities, hospitals, laboratories, emergency response, nursing homes, and outdoor occupations.

types of biological hazards

• blood and other body fluids;
• fungi/mold;
• bacteria and viruses;
• insect bites; and
• animal and bird droppings.

3. Chemical hazards are present when a worker is exposed to any chemical preparation in the workplace in any form (solid, liquid, or gas). Chemicals can be safer to others, but to some sensitive workers, even the most common solutions can cause illness, skin irritation, or breathing problems. Workers should be aware of the following examples chemical hazards in the workplace.

• Liquids like cleaning products, paints, acids, solvents – especially if chemicals are in an unlabeled container;
• Vapors and fumes that come from welding or exposure to solvents;
• Gases like acetylene, propane, carbon monoxide, and helium;
• Flammable materials like gasoline, solvents, and explosive chemicals; and
• Pesticides.

4. Ergonomic

Ergonomic hazards occur when the type of work, body positions, and working conditions put a strain on the body. They are the hardest to spot since you don’t always immediately notice the strain on the body and the harm that these hazards pose. Short-term exposure may result in “sore muscles” the next day or in the days following exposure while long-term exposure can result in serious long-term illnesses. Ergonomic hazards include the following:

• Improperly adjusted workstations and chairs;
• Frequent lifting;
• Poor posture;
• Awkward movements, especially if they are repetitive;
• Repeating the same movements over and over;
• Having to frequently use too much force; and
• Vibration.

5. Work Organization hazards are stressors that cause psychosocial hazards such as tension, anxiety, or strain to workers. These can be experienced in short term (stress) or long term (strain) that is associated with workplace issues such as workload, lack of control and/or respect, etc. Here are work organization hazards examples:

• Workload demands;
• Workplace violence;
• Intensity and/or pace;
• Respect (or lack of);
• Flexibility/Control or say about things;
• Social support/relations; and
• Sexual harassment.

6. Physical hazards are factors within the environment that can harm the body without necessarily touching it. Examples of physical Hazards include the following:

• Radiation: including ionizing, non-ionizing .
  
• Prolonged exposure to sunlight/ultraviolet rays.
• Temperature extremes – hot and cold.
  
• Constant loud noise (which can be a harmful hazard if not well-managed or mitigated).

Hazard identification

is a risk assessment practice that aims to identify and record safety risks and work hazards to ensure the safety of workers and personnel. 

Common Lab Accidents & Injuries and how to prevent them

1. CHEMICALS
   If you handle chemicals, you need to wear protective gloves. Treat chemicals with the necessary caution, measure chemicals carefully, contain potentially irritating or hazardous chemicals and use only approved containers when you’re transferring chemicals.
   Chemical burns should be treated by flushing the affected area with a large amount of cool, running water for at least 15 minutes.
   If you work in a chemistry lab, ensure you are taking the proper steps to be safe around the chemicals in your workplace.
2. HEAT
   Exercise caution when handling hot items. Hastily or improperly handling these items without the correct tools can cause serious burns. Workers should be properly using water baths, tongs and cooling equipment. Be careful not to touch hot surfaces with your bare hand.
   If you suffer a heat burn in the lab, run the burned area under cool water for five minutes.
3. CUTS AND SCRAPES
   Using sharp tools in the laboratory setting can cause scrapes and cuts. Workers may also use sharp objects, such as needles and razor blades, or need to clean up broken glass. To avoid cutting yourself on these items, carefully wrap them so that you can safely carry and dispose of them.
4. CONTAMINATION
   Avoiding contamination is key to ensuring safety in the lab setting. Though the advice to wash your hands may seem quite basic, it’s an important procedure to avoid contamination. After you interact with any foreign substance, you should wash your hands thoroughly.
   Protect your skin and clothing with the proper equipment, such as gloves, glasses and a lab coat. You can contaminate areas outside of the lab if you carry bacteria or other substances on your clothing or skin, which can cause the spread of illnesses and other dangers.
5. INHALING SUBSTANCES
   Another common type of lab accident is inhalation. If you inhale chemicals or gases in a space that isn’t properly ventilated, you may experience nausea, headaches or fainting. Ensure you follow proper procedures for ventilation, such as using ventilation fans and measuring the amount of gas emitted in a room.
6. FIRES
   When working with hot surfaces and flammable materials, fires become a common danger. Review and practice the proper procedures to ensure you minimize the risk of fire in the laboratory. All flammable materials should be properly stored and sealed. Inspect burners for leaks to avoid sudden flares.
7. SPILLS AND BREAKS
   In the lab, glass beakers may be dropped and break. Liquids may be spilled. Generally, these accidents are caused by rushing, being negligent and not properly following procedures. While you work, move carefully through every step. Moving slowly but more steadily will be much better for the safety of yourself and your colleagues.

First Aid safety measures for common laboratory accidents
General course of action

• RELOCATE everyone in the immediate work area to a safe location.
• ALERT-
• CONFINE- If it can be done safely, close doors to confine the area where the emergency occurred. Post an “Emergency Hangtag” on the door(s) to prevent reentry by other personnel.
• EVACUATE the building through the nearest exit. Do not run. Do not use elevators.
• REPORT to your designated meeting site.
• REENTER once the lab has been cleared by emergency personnel.

First Aid: Eye Exposure to Hazardous Chemical

• Forcibly hold both eyes open under an emergency eyewash to ensure an effective wash behind both eyelids.
• If contact lenses are being worn, remove the contacts while flushing.
• Continue flushing the eyes underneath the eyewash until emergency personnel arrive.
• Report the injury to your principal investigator and/or laboratory/facility manager.

First Aid: Skin Exposure

• Wash affected area(s) with tepid water from an emergency safety shower. Take care not to break skin.
• Remove or cut off contaminated clothing while rinsing. Do not pull contaminated clothing over the head.
• For chemical and thermal burns, flush affected area(s) with water from the safety shower, if indicated in safety data sheet.
• For blood, biological, or radiological exposures use soap and water.
• Keep flushing affected area(s) underneath the safety shower until emergency personnel arrive.
• Report the injury to your principal investigator and/or laboratory/facility manager.

First Aid: Inhalation of Chemical Vapors, Fumes or Smoke

• If exposed individual is unconscious, do NOT enter the lab if a possibility of oxygen depletion, toxic vapors, or an explosive atmosphere exists.
• If exposed individual is conscious, move the person to fresh, uncontaminated air.
• Report the injury to your principal investigator and/or laboratory/facility manager.

First Aid: Chemical Ingestion

• If safe to do so, move affected individual to an uncontaminated area.
• Do not induce vomiting or drink water or other liquids unless instructed to do so by emergency personnel.
• Report the injury to your principal investigator and/or laboratory/facility manager.

proper dressing before going to the laboratory

• Wear closed shoes.
• Tie long hair
• Tuck in shirts and blouses
• Wear safety glasses or face shields.
• Wear a proper sized and well buttoned lab coat.
• Wear Rubber gloves when working with corrosive or poisonous substances.

Laboratory safety rules

• While working in the laboratory,doors ad windows should be open.
• Follow the instructors instructions carefully.
• Report any equipment that fails to function immediately.
• Switch off all electric switches and turn off all water and gas taps when not in use.
• Make sure that your hands are dry when handling electrical instruments.
• Keep thee floor and working area dry.
• Clean the apparatus and return them to the correct location of storage after an experiment.
• Dispose off waste properly after the experiment.
• Wash hands thoroughly with clean water and soap before leaving the laboratory.
• Never taste,eat or drink anything in the laboratory.
• Corridors and pathways in the laboratory should not be used as working areas or storage areas.
• Experiment should not be left unattended.