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In recent years, chemical laboratory accidents have occurred frequently, highlighting the need for stringent safety measures. Below are some notable incidents at Chinese universities:
December 2015: Tsinghua University – Laboratory explosion resulting in one fatality.
November 2018: Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine – Accident involving flammable chemicals.
March 2021: Chinese Academy of Sciences – Chemical lab accident resulting in one fatality.
July 2021: Southern University of Science and Technology & Sun Yat-sen University – Laboratory explosion, multiple researchers injured.
October 2021: Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics – Explosion, with one researcher severely burned.
Chemical laboratories often involve hazardous substances that are toxic, flammable, and explosive, generating dangerous by-products such as gases, waste liquids, and residues. The operational environment may include high temperatures, pressures, and corrosive conditions, while aging equipment can further exacerbate risks, threatening both the safety of personnel and the surrounding environment.
As a laboratory furniture manufacturer, Fuhua offers safety solutions to help mitigate these risks, ensuring that accidents like these do not happen again. But before addressing solutions, it’s crucial to understand the root causes of these incidents.
Causes of Laboratory Accidents
Unsafe Practices by Researchers
One common cause is a lack of safety awareness and proper skills among lab personnel. Many experimenters underestimate the risks of handling small quantities of hazardous chemicals, as seen in the explosion at Beijing Jiaotong University in December 2018. The experiment supervisor ignored the reactive nature of magnesium powder, storing it improperly, leading to a fatal accident. In universities, safety training is often insufficient, and lab instructors seldom participate in daily operations, leaving researchers to handle dangerous chemicals without adequate supervision.
Improper chemical handling and incorrect use of equipment are widespread. Researchers may also fail to wear proper protective gear or lack clarity on emergency procedures, exacerbating the consequences of accidents.
Inadequate Chemical Storage
Chemical and gas cylinder management is often poorly regulated. Laboratories house a wide variety of chemicals, ranging from common reagents to highly dangerous substances. In many cases, chemical storage is chaotic, labels wear off, and some chemicals exceed their shelf life. Furthermore, limited laboratory space, particularly in “double first-class” universities, leads to unsafe practices such as placing high-pressure gas cylinders next to student workstations without proper safety precautions or regular inspections.
Improper Equipment Management
Laboratory equipment, particularly pressure-bearing devices, often suffers from insufficient maintenance. Safety measures like pressure relief mechanisms are neglected, leading to potential accidents. For example, the 2021 reactor explosion at the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Chemistry was a result of inadequate safety measures, which claimed the life of a student. Additionally, the high costs of maintaining imported equipment and the lack of skilled domestic technicians lead to further safety compromises, as faulty equipment is left unchecked or misused.
Recommendations for Improved Safety
From the perspective of a leading lab furniture manufacturer, we strongly advise implementing dedicated safety cabinets for different chemicals. Fuhua offers flammable safety cabinets, gas cylinder storage cabinets, and reagent storage cabinets, all designed to help you manage chemical storage in a safe and compliant manner.
Management Deficiencies
In many cases, laboratory safety management systems are inadequate. Universities often have insufficient full-time safety personnel, and those in place frequently lack the expertise needed to enforce safety regulations. Additionally, scientific research is often prioritized over safety, leading to poor implementation of safety protocols and insufficient inspections. Responsibilities are often unclear, and safety procedures lack specificity, further weakening the laboratory safety infrastructure.
Proper safety procedures, equipment operation protocols, and risk assessment methods must be clearly defined and regularly updated. Without regular training, risk identification, and safety enforcement, hazardous points in chemical labs are easily overlooked.
Five Key Principles for Improved Laboratory Safety
To improve safety, researchers must adopt five key principles:
- Understand experimental principles and reaction processes.
- Understand the hazardous characteristics of chemicals.
- Understand the principles of laboratory equipment.
- Understand relevant laboratory policies and regulations.
- Understand the laboratory safety management system.
These principles form the theoretical foundation for preventing accidents. Researchers must familiarize themselves with reaction processes, chemical hazards, equipment operation, and safety policies to ensure safe experimentation.
Essential Skills for Lab Personnel
Five critical skills are essential for lab personnel:
- Competency in experimental operations.
- Ability to troubleshoot.
- Expertise in equipment inspections.
- Skill in risk analysis.
- Proficiency in emergency response.
Safe Conduct in Laboratories
Lastly, five behavioral standards must be enforced:
- Adhere strictly to experimental procedures.
- Follow safety protocols.
- Practice proper workplace discipline.
- Prevent others from engaging in unsafe operations.
- Resist unsafe guidance.
These principles, skills, and behaviors, when combined with the proper management of chemicals and equipment, form a robust approach to laboratory safety, ensuring the wellbeing of both researchers and the environment.
At Fuhua, we are committed to supporting laboratories with high-quality furniture and safety solutions. By adopting these practices, you can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and maintain a safer research environment.
