Tips to Work Safely In A Laminar Flow Cabinet
A laminar flow cabinet is a controlled environment designed to create a safe working space for a lab worker. This can be especially important in research labs where hazardous chemicals are used or handled regularly.
Generally, a laminar flow cabinet is a protected environment that allows you to work safely with toxic materials and biological samples. While working with one such laminar flow cabinet, you must be careful and follow some safety measures to prevent damage. Here are some tips that can help you work safely in a laminar flow cabinet:
- Wear The Appropriate Protective Clothing
The bottom of the laminar flow cabinet should be covered with a rubber mat, plastic goggles, and a hood. If you don’t have any of these items on hand, wear rubber gloves, safety glasses and a lab coat to protect yourself from getting burned by chemicals.
- Clean The Area Before Working In It
Ensure all chemicals are away from your work area and bathe up spills immediately. You will also want to clean the inside walls of your Laminar Flow Cabinet and other areas where you plan on working because it can become difficult to clean them properly if there are stains or scratches on the surface.
- Work With One Chemical At A Time To Prevent Contamination
If more than one toxic chemical is used in an experiment, open another working area to prevent cross-contamination of the chemicals. Also, before you work with a new chemical, you want to test it on the inside walls of your laminar flow cabinet to ensure that it is safe and won’t damage its surfaces.
- Only Use The Right Amount Of Protective Gloves And Safety Glasses
Invest in proper safety equipment and wear the right protective gear based on how much contact you will have with chemicals while working in your lab environment. Protect your skin by using gloves and a chemically resistant lab coat. Use safety glasses and gloves to protect your eyes and skin when handling chemicals or biological samples.
- Maintain The Pressure Of Your Laminar Flow Cabinet
Before working in the laminar flow cabinet, check the gauges to ensure enough pressure within it. If you have problems maintaining the correct pressure level inside your laminar flow cabinet, you may want to move heavier equipment outside. You can also try covering ventilation holes with sticky tape to prevent loss of air pressure within the area. If you want to learn about Laminar Flow Cabinet, click here.
Conclusion
Work with caution in a laminar flow cabinet to prevent mistakes and, in turn, injuries. Keep all chemicals away from your work area, and rinse spills immediately. You will also want to check the gauges on the inside walls of your laminar flow cabinet regularly to ensure enough air pressure within it because it can become difficult to maintain proper pressure levels over time.
Original Sources: https://medium.com/@globallabsupplyshop/tips-to-work-safely-in-a-laminar-flow-cabinet-2acc5d2f3aea
0