Laboratory glassware, while sturdier than household glass, requires careful handling, cleaning and storage in order to avoid injury. Broken or contaminated glass should be discarded in special glass disposal boxes. Accidental injury with glass remains the most common lab wound reported, according to the University of Maryland Environmental Safety Division.
Laboratory chemicals require handling in such a way as to avoid splashes, spills or cross contamination. Laboratory personnel should always wear appropriate chemical protection clothing consisting of boots, gloves, bio-hazard suits and eye protection when handling chemicals.
Needles, scalpels, pipettes and lancets---referred to as "sharps"---may not only cause injuries but can facilitate the transmission of disease if handled improperly. Technicians should handle these items with care and dispose of them properly in a regulated sharps container.
Working around an open flame in a laboratory requires caution. Personnel should refrain from wearing loose clothing or unbound hair, as these may catch fire and cause serious harm. Know the location of fire extinguishers and fire alarms.
Laboratory personnel should attend orientation before starting work in a lab to learn the proper policies and procedures for working safely and efficiently. Through proper training and familiarity with such issues as personal protective equipment and proper handling of chemicals, lab personnel become proficient in the practice of lab safety.