LABORATORY SAFETY MANUAL

Site Map of Manual

Lab Safety Manual
1st Page

Chapter 1
Emergency Response

Chapter 2
General Safety

Chapter 3
Chemical Hygiene Plan

Chapter 4
Radiological Safety

Chapter 5
Biological Hygiene Plan

Chapter 6
Laser Safety

Chapter 7
Administrative Concerns

Chapter 8
Standard & Special Operating Procedures

Chapter 9
Facility Data

---

Appendicies

Bibliography

Glossary

Index

On-Campus Contact Information

---

1st Rule of Lab Safety

Haz-Waste No-No

---

Updated January 2003

Administrative Concerns
Section 7.3 - Facility Design

While Safety procedures recommended for use to protect building occupants from specific hazardous materials are presented elsewhere in this manual, there are a number of general environmental and procedural factors often overlooked in the design and operation of laboratory facilities. These factors can have a considerable effect on the safety of the work area. This section discusses several factors relevant to the laboratory and recommends certain procedures related to each.

Appropriate design and traffic flow of the laboratory facility is critical in assuring a safe work environment for laboratory employees. In the following section, several considerations for facility design are discussed with regard to their contribution in helping to reduce the potential of accidental chemical exposure and accidental injury in the laboratory. This information is of use to those designing a new laboratory or to those renovating or updating an existing one.

A. Lighting

Adequate, glare-free lighting is necessary throughout the laboratory facility. Unshielded lighting, the presence of harsh shadows and annoying reflections, and insufficient illumination are to be avoided in the design of the laboratory. Shielded fluorescent lights are particularly effective in providing sufficient lighting without direct glare. Placement of work stations facing windows or reflective walls tend to produce visual fatigue.

The Illuminating Engineering Society recommends illumination levels for different types of work. For regular office work, (including chemist or lab technician offices) plus most typical lab work, 70-100 foot candles of illumination is recommended. For more intensive visual applications such as drafting, designing, and some accounting activities, 150-200 foot-candles is recommended.

B. Emergency Lighting

Each laboratory facility shall anticipate the need for emergency lighting. The use of a backup generator or similar system is often necessary to provide safe occupant exit and to provide lighting for any emergency repairs or procedures. It is especially important that the exit doors be clearly marked in accordance with NFPA 101. The Manager of OSU Environmental Health & Safety is the authority having jurisdiction over all formal interpretations of NFPA Codes.