Laboratory health and safety protocols should include mandatory use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Technicians and Laboratory staff must be made aware of the proper handling of hazardous materials and maintaining a tidy workspace, understanding emergency exits, signage, and equipment locations, identify hazards and mitigate their risks. Technicians and lab staff must have Emergency Preparedness knowledge and be able to locate and know how to use fire extinguishers, eyewash stations, and emergency exits before beginning work.  

Awareness sessions will highlight strict rules prohibiting eating and drinking in the lab, why it is a requirement to wash hands frequently, and key protective measures such as the purpose of wearing the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), i.e. Wear lab coats fastened, safety glasses, gloves, and closed-toe shoes. Risks such as working alone without permission and leaving heating experiments unattended will be addressed.  

Operational Guidelines for all laboratories will be recommended, including continuous training for all staff prevents accidents, regular audits ensure compliance, hazardous areas and materials being identified, in addition to the correct handling chemicals to prevent accidental ingestion or reactions, and the correct disposal of waste and broken glass.  

Agenda 

This seminar will highlight key laboratory safety topics, including proper handling of hazardous materials, personal hygiene, lab prohibitions and required permissions, and the correct use of personal protective equipment. It will also cover emergency preparedness and response, as well as essential operational guidelines such as training, compliance, and hazard management. 

Speaker

Noorunisha Abdool holds a qualification in Chemical Sciences from the University of Johannesburg and has published an article in a PLOS journal. Since 2005, she has built extensive experience across diverse laboratory environments and industries. She led the design and establishment of a commercial agricultural laboratory in Lusaka, Zambia, applying Lean Laboratory principles and integrating traditional wet chemistry with rapid analytical technologies.