Many labs are incomplete without heating equipment on hand. You can use them for several scientific functions, such as sintering or metalizing. Regardless of how vital these equipment are, knowing how to operate them safely is the priority.
Lab safety is essential because of the potential hazards caused by different minerals and chemicals, especially when heating is involved. Unsafe use of heating equipment could lead to inhalation of toxic fumes, burns, and fires.
9 Essential Lab Safety Tips
Below are nine safety tips before, during, and after the use of heating equipment to avoid accidents and help you become a more responsible user.
Before Usage
1. Familiarize yourself with lab safety protocols
Memorize where fire extinguishers, first-aid equipment, safety showers, eyewash stations, and the designated emergency exits in the lab are. In case of a spill or an accident, you should be prepared for what to do.
Since you're using heating equipment, you will naturally be dealing with high-temperature materials. Take the time to understand how to handle them properly. For instance, avoid holding anything hot with a damp towel. Although water is well known to douse fires, it is a poor heat insulator.
2. Inspect all equipment
Defective lab equipment could lead to dangerous accidents if used. Ensure that they're in proper working condition before proceeding with any experiments.
If you have electric equipment, check if any wiring is worn or frayed—if there is, repair it as soon as possible to avoid spark risks and protect other lab users. Ensure that the equipment you're using is clean and free of any chemical residue from the previous usage, so it doesn't tamper with your results later on.
Besides the equipment, check to see if your ventilation systems in the lab are working. Since heating materials tend to produce fumes, you need to increase the chances of it not spreading around the lab.
3. Understand how to operate equipment properly
You should always learn how to use heating equipment safely. Not all heating equipment operates the same way, however.
Lab ovens, for instance, are typically used for sterilization and drying since they operate at a much higher temperature than lab incubators. On the other hand, furnaces can easily reach temperatures well over 300°C and are therefore used for melting, annealing, bonding, and incinerating materials.
Knowing the difference will help you avoid using the wrong equipment for the wrong purpose, such as melting material you only intended to dry.
Lab equipment manufacturers typically include operations guides or manuals with the equipment. Go through this often to know how to handle equipment correctly. You may also have to go through training before using the equipment.
During Usage
4. Wear proper attire
The most obvious danger to be aware of when operating with furnaces is burns. Muffle furnaces, for example, can reach up to 1800°C or 3272°F. It only takes a second to suffer a third-degree burn when you come in contact with a material that is 68°C or 154.4°F.
That's why you should always wear personal protective equipment (PPE), such as heat-resistant gloves, flame-resistant lab coats, and face shields, to protect yourself when approaching and handling heating equipment.
5. Use for professional purposes only
Researchers use most heat treatment furnaces and equipment for various purposes, such as metalizing, sintering, and annealing. These processes typically deal with heating chemicals and solvents harmful to humans. This is why you must only use lab ovens for scientific uses—never prepare food using lab ovens.
Additionally, for extra caution, before using the equipment or placing new samples, have it approved by authorized personnel.
6. Avoid open flames
Open flames are commonly discouraged since they pose such a safety hazard. While most heating equipment may have its heating capabilities stored within, Bunsen burners, for instance, require the use of an open flame. If you're required to perform operations with an open flame, you must take a few precautions to do so safely.
Never leave the flame unattended. Once you've finished using it, ensure the gas is completely shut off. If you intend to use it again immediately, ensure that the burner has cooled down before turning on the gas.
After Usage
7. Store equipment properly
When you're done for the day, return the equipment used to its appropriate place. Avoid placing flammable liquids and combustible materials near the heating equipment to prevent fires. Ensure that no material or containers were left inside the ovens and furnaces. Shut off all equipment properly to avoid potential gas leaks or fires while away from the lab.
8. Clean the lab
Every time you finish using the lab equipment, it's important that no chemical residues or materials are left to dry or harden. If you aren't sure how much to clean, it's better to err on the side of overcleaning rather than under.
For cleaning surfaces, soap and water should suffice. If there are dried materials, you can try cleaning them with boiling, purified water. Finally, rinse surfaces with acetone to prevent the soap residue from mixing with other materials. You can also spray ethanol alcohol on equipment, especially handles, to sterilize them.
9. Let authorized personnel know of any problems
Let authorized personnel know if you encountered something strange while cleaning up the lab or if you might have burned a piece of equipment.
This way, they can make the proper arrangements and have the laboratory inspected, as well as repair any damages that you might have experienced while using the equipment. This protects future lab users from using defective equipment or operating in an unsafe environment.
Wrapping Up
Before running any experiments, make sure that you know your lab's safety protocols and how to use the equipment. Always wear the proper safety gear and use the equipment for professional use only. Avoid having open flames as much as possible since it is a safety hazard.
Finally, once you're done, clean the equipment, return it to its proper place, and let authorized personnel know if any problem needs fixing. These should be memorized by heart by any professional lab user.
Remember that accidents are a more significant hindrance to your productivity than the few minutes you need to take to follow safety protocols.
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