Cite specific example of proper handling of laboratory equipment.

Centrifuges
Most hazards associated with centrifuges are due to the processing of hazardous materials and poor mechanical
conditions.

Ensure centrifuges have an interlocking device that will prevent both the lid from being opened when
the rotor is in motion and the centrifuge from starting when the lid is open.
Inspect the centrifuge tubes prior to use for stress lines, hairline cracks and chipped rims.
Ensure the centrifuge is properly balanced. Load the rotor with samples arranged symmetrically.
Opposing tubes must be of equal weight. If necessary, use water blank tubes to balance sample tubes
of unequal weight.
Avoid overfilling the tubes.
Use caps or stoppers on centrifuge tubes. Avoid using lightweight materials such as aluminum foil as
caps.
Do not open the lid during or immediately after operation, attempt to stop a spinning rotor by hand or
with an object, or interfere with the interlock safety device.
Decant supernatants carefully and avoid vigorous shaking when resuspending.
Never exceed the specified speed limitations of the rotor.
Inspect the Oring on the rotor lid regularly and replace if cracked or dry. Never operate a centrifuge if
the rotor lid is missing its Oring.
Decontaminate the outside of the cups/buckets and rotors before and after centrifugation.
Unless fitted with a suitable exhaust system, do not centrifuge materials capable of creating flammable
or explosive vapours.
Do not leave the centrifuge until it has reached its programmed speed.
Immediately abort the run if you hear abnormal vibration, whining or grinding noises.
At the end of the run, ensure the rotor and centrifuge are cleaned according to the manufacturers
instructions. Do not use abrasive cleaners.
Rotors are easily damaged. Do not use metal tools to remove tubes or clean.
Do not attempt to move the centrifuge while it is in operation.
Ovens, Hot Plates and Heating Mantles
Ovens are commonly used to remove water or other solvents from samples, provide a stable elevated
temperature and dry laboratory glassware. Hot plates are used to heat various laboratory solutions and heating
mantles are used to heat reaction or sample solutions in round bottom flasks or reaction vessels. The following
safety precautions should be followed:
Ensure laboratory ovens and hot plates are designed to prevent contact between flammable vapours
and heating elements/sparkproducing components.

Avoid heating toxic materials in an oven unless it is continuously vented outdoors.

Do not use laboratory ovens for heating food for human consumption.
Glassware that has been rinsed with an organic solvent should not be placed in an oven for drying; it
must first be rinsed with distilled water or equivalent.
Hot plates or ovens with damaged thermostats are to be removed from service until repaired. When the
temperature of heating devices rises above what is required, significant fire hazards can be created.
Care is to be taken not to surpass the maximum voltage of the heating mantle as recommended by the
manufacturer.
Discontinue use of any heating mantle if the heating element is exposed.
Do not store volatile flammable materials near a hot plate. When heating volatile, flammable liquids on
a hot plate, do so only in a fume hood.
Limit use of older hot plates for flammable materials, as they can pose an electrical spark hazard arising
from either the on/off switch located on the hot plate, the bimetallic thermostat used to regulate the
 temperature or both. Laboratory workers should be warned of the spark hazard associated with older
hot plates.
Check for corrosion of thermostats.
Heating Baths
Heating baths are used to heat materials to a constant temperature. They can be filled with water, mineral oil,
sand, and paraffin or silicone oils, depending on the bath temperature required. These guidelines should be
followed:

Heating baths should be located on a stable surface, away from flammable and combustible materials (e.g.
wood and paper).

Ensure the bath has cooled before being moved.

Ensure baths are equipped with controls that will turn off the power if the temperature exceeds a preset
limit.

Ensure that the thermostat is set well below the flash point of the heating liquid in use.

Mercuryfree thermometers should be used to check the bath temperature. \

Do not fill the bath over twothirds full.

Do not allow water to get into oil baths as splattering may result.

Steam baths are safe alternatives for heating because they provide a consistent temperature that will not
exceed 100C. Care must be taken to prevent scalding due to skin exposure to the steam or steam lines. Water
baths are the most common type of bath found in the laboratory. When using a water bath:

Clean regularly

Decontaminate by raising the temperature to 90C or higher for 30 minutes once a week.

Unplug the unit before filling or emptying.

Refrigerators and Freezers

Domestic refrigerators must not be used for the storage of flammable liquids. Standard refrigerators and
freezers have electrical fans and motors that present potential ignition sources for flammable vapours and
refrigerator temperatures are typically higher than the flash points of many flammable liquids that may be
stored inside. Frostfree refrigerators must also be avoided, as many of them have sources of ignition present.

Only refrigerators and freezers specified for laboratory use shall be used for the storage of chemicals. These
refrigerators have been constructed with special design features, such as heavyduty cords, isolation of potential
ignition sources and corrosion resistant interiors to reduce the risk of fire or explosion in the laboratory
These guidelines should be followed for laboratory refrigerators and freezers:

Only chemicals should be stored in chemical storage refrigerators; laboratory refrigerators must not be
used for food storage or preparation.

Refrigerators should be labeled with proper signage (e.g. No Food or Drink to be Stored in this
Refrigerator).

All materials in refrigerators or freezers should be labeled with the contents, owner, date of acquisition or
preparation and nature of any potential hazard.

All containers should be sealed.

 Containers should be placed in secondary containers to contain any leakage.

Pioets
Pipets are useful for measuring and dispensing liquids. The following rules apply to all types of pipets, including
volumetric pipets, graduated pipets, Pasteur pipets, micro-pipets, and automatic dispensing pipets.
Never put a pipet in your mouth.

Draw the liquid into the pipet using a rubber bulb or pipet pump.

Never withdraw a liquid from a near-empty container. If you attempt to fill a pipet under conditions where
air can enter the pipet, the liquid will shoot up into the bulb or pump.

Never lay a pipet flat on a table or turn upside down with the bulb or pump attached. The liquid will flow
into the bulb/pump, contaminating the bulb/pump.

Dispose of broken pipets in the appropriate glass-disposal container.

Researcher: APOSTOL, Ronniela F.

References:

UTSC. (n.d). Safety in the use of laboratory equipment. Retrieved from

https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/ehs/sites/utsc.utoronto.ca.ehs/files/docs/UTSC%20SECTION%203%20-
%20LABORATORY%20EQUIPMENT.pdf

School Improvement in Maryland. (n.d.) VI. Safe handling of equipment. Retrieved from
http://mdk12.msde.maryland.gov/instruction/curriculum/science/safety/handling.html