The Library Systems and Information Services Department of Kaduna State University (KASU) organised a lecture titled “Sharing Best Practices for Laboratory Safety and Management.
The lecture was facilitated by Rabiat Abubakar Idrees of the Department of Biochemistry, who provided a comprehensive overview of essential lab safety principles and procedures.
Opening the session, the facilitator underscored the significance of laboratory safety, describing a laboratory as a facility equipped with scientific instruments operated by trained personnel to generate accurate and reliable results.
She emphasized that a strong culture of safety is vital to ensuring not just productivity, but also the well-being of staff and students.
The lecture explored critical components of laboratory safety, including accident prevention, regulatory compliance, data integrity, and environmental protection.
It also examined common hazards biological, physical, and chemical—and presented mitigation strategies such as waste segregation, proper disposal protocols, and consistent use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Key safety practices highlighted included:
Proper education and training of laboratory staff on safety protocols
Safe handling and storage of chemicals and reagents
Routine equipment maintenance and calibration
Use of appropriate PPE
Emergency response procedures for situations like chemical spills, fires, and electric shocks
The facilitator also addressed the importance of effective documentation, such as updated safety manuals, incident logs, and labeling systems.
Participants were encouraged to adopt a proactive approach to hazard identification and risk assessment, and to maintain open channels of communication to promote a robust safety culture.
The lecture concluded with an engaging interactive session featuring real-life case studies of laboratory incidents and the lessons drawn from them.
The session received enthusiastic feedback from participants, who commended the practical insights shared and the relevance of the topic to their work and study environments.