Fire accidents are the most horrible things to happen in the lab. Even-though fire accident is rarely to happen, the potential of severe injury or death, hazardous chemicals, and the potential rapid flames have a significant probability. When reactive materials or flammable solvents are present, even tiny tabletop fires can spread swiftly because many hazardous substances can cause flammable that leads into fire.
As someone who works in the lab, compliance is the key to preventing a fire safety happened. Someone who works at the lab must address preventive and reaction proactively to establish a safer lab environment.
Understand the fire safety
To reduce the accidents that happen, lab managers should implement and reinforce their lab staff to minimize ignition sources, limit fuel, and promote safe workflows. These are the prevention from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA):
- Plan the work: Write an emergency plan due to specific for each lab risk and layout.
- Limit quantities: Keep minimum amounts of flammable materials at the workstation.
- Practice good housekeeping: After using goods, put them back in storage, wipe up spills right away, and clear clutter.
- Use proper equipment: Flammable liquids should be kept in authorized flammable storage cabinets and proof refrigerators that can withstand explosions.
- Wear the right personal protective equipment (PPE): Make sure all staff are using proper PPE such as resistant lab coats, gloves, and goggles.
In case of a fire, lab personnel need to take prompt and decisive action. The R.A.C.E. protocol is advised by OSHA:
- Rescue: Rescue anyone who is in imminent danger.
- Alarm: Activating the alarm and notifying emergency responders
- Confine: Hold the fire behind you with a closed door
- Evacuate: Get out from the fire happen and go to the safe area
Lab managers should spread the safety culture to their staff. Fire safety isn’t about ticking checkboxes, but it’s about preparation, practice, and people.