A guide to Lab Safety Awareness Week for lab personnel
Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) is partnering with the Campus Safety, Health and Environmental Management Association (CSHEMA) to recognize Lab Safety Awareness Week, taking place Feb. 9–13.
During the week, campus researchers and laboratory personnel are encouraged to pause, reflect and recommit to fostering a strong culture of safety in their daily work. To support this effort, EHS is offering an interactive Lab Safety Bingo challenge designed to engage lab personnel in promoting safe behaviors.
All lab personnel are invited to participate in the Lab Safety Bingo challenge. The first 25 participants to complete a Bingo will receive a free T-shirt. Participants can download a Bingo card and submit their completed entry via email to researchsafety@purdue.edu.
This year’s Lab Safety Awareness Week topic highlights the critical role of personal protective equipment (PPE) in protecting researchers and staff from workplace hazards. PPE helps minimize exposure to chemical, radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical, biological and other hazards that can cause serious injuries or illnesses. Basic PPE in most laboratory settings includes safety glasses, gloves, lab coats, long pants and closed-toed shoes, with additional protection such as goggles, face shields, respirators or hearing protection used when specific risks are present. Selecting and wearing appropriate PPE, and ensuring specialized equipment like respirators are properly approved and fit-tested, is a simple but essential step in maintaining a safe research environment and preventing injuries before they happen.
Downloadable 8.5-by-11-inch flyers that summarize and expand on these safety practices are available on the EHS website. Questions about laboratory safety and related topics may be directed to the department at 765-494-6371 or researchsafety@purdue.edu.