The correct use of laboratory apparatus is necessary while working safely with dangerous compounds. This activity’s main components are equipment upkeep and routine inspection. Unfortunately, the incorrect usage or upkeep of laboratory equipment is to blame for a large number of accidents that take place there.

Regular maintenance of lab equipment will guarantee that tests are carried out effectively and without errors and will save money on unneeded repair costs. The foundation for appropriate equipment is a clean laboratory free of dust and grime.

When handling laboratory equipment, caution must be taken to use the proper gloves to prevent electrical, thermal, and chemical burns, cuts, and punctures.

Follow standard operating procedures:

Standard operating procedures (SOPs) are required for any sophisticated lab equipment. This makes sure that the equipment’s proper usage and upkeep are included in daily tasks.

The manufacturer’s operator manual should be consulted for specific instructions on how to use the equipment. The lab manager, an equipment officer, or members of the staff who frequently use the particular equipment can all write the SOP. On the workbench, the SOP should also be easily accessible.

Clean the equipment after each use:

Even though it’s a common sense way to preserve your belongings in excellent shape, cleaning up after oneself in the lab is occasionally disregarded. Yet, cleaning is crucial for equipment because it stops the accumulation of potentially dangerous particles and liquids from blocking your instruments. Additionally, by simply performing a routine lab cleanup, you can prevent dust from building up, which can be problematic if it is allowed to accumulate for an extended period in and around your equipment.

Train laboratory staff on laboratory maintenance:

Technical and management personnel training is a continuous process. When new equipment or better models are purchased, it should be regular with extra training offered.

The first introduction training should be thorough with a discussion and demonstration led by experts, and further training can be done internally to update staff practice. Making sure all employees are properly trained is the responsibility of the lab manager or quality control officer.

Inspect the equipment frequently:

Equipment issues aren’t often obvious right away. Therefore, it’s essential to physically check your equipment all during the year and, if necessary, conduct performance checks. This is particularly important for equipment that isn’t used frequently since you may fix possible problems before the instrument is required for testing in the future. Although they may be pricey, maintenance agreements for essential equipment are typically a smart investment.

Repair the equipment if needed:

It is crucial to promptly fix or replace equipment that isn’t functioning correctly or producing inaccurate data throughout your studies. Many different lab equipment types can be saved by changing inexpensive parts or fixing essential components.

Never compromise on quality when handling lab equipment. If the equipment is damaged beyond repair, replace it since it may be harmful. To ensure the longevity of the lab equipment, choose high-quality equipment from Labec.


Refurbishment:

While refurbishing may be the answer if your equipment is still functional but not as well as it once was, repair is sometimes essential for broken things. Consider using the following procedure if you want to restore outdated pieces of equipment:

  • Disassemble the complete piece of equipment.
  • Completely wash each component.
  • When required, polish the components.
  • Re-oil any moving components.
  • Consider replacing any components that exhibit wear and tear at this level of prevention.
  • Set the tools back together.
  • To perform the aforementioned procedure, you’ll need to have some knowledge of the items you’re working with, but it can help restore items to their original condition.

Clean every day:

To remind employees of the daily tasks that need to be completed, such as removing and cleaning worktops, sweeping floors, and sanitizing the lab’s most used surfaces, it is a good idea to establish a basic housekeeping checklist for the lab.

Use the proper glass cleaning techniques:

Glassware cleaning will be possible using a lab washer-disinfector with hot-air drying capability. Ensure your personnel knows the various manual methods and cleaning supplies for glassware equipment, including beakers, flasks, pipettes, and funnels.

Maintain the software in the lab:

Many PCs connected to instruments have antivirus software turned off to enhance speed and eliminate software issues brought on by updates. This is both an essential and a horrible idea. As a result, while purchasing brand-new laboratory equipment, ensure it won’t malfunction after a system upgrade. On the other hand, computers without essential system updates and antivirus software pose a serious security risk to your network and company, so you should take special care with them.

scientist with equipment and science experiments laboratory glassware containing chemical liquid. Health care researchers working in life science laboratory analyzing microscope slides in research lab

Conclusion:

The routine upkeep of laboratory equipment should be incorporated into the lab’s standard operating procedure. By doing this, the equipment’s lifespan will be extended, and the data collected in the laboratory will be accurate.

Image Source: BigStockPhoto.com (Licensed)

Site Disclaimer 

The Content in this post and on this site is for informational and entertainment purposes only. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. Nothing contained on our Site constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, or offer by HII or any third party service provider to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments.

Nothing in this post or on this site constitutes professional and/or financial advice. You alone assume the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information or other content in this post or on this site. 

You recognize that when making investments, an investor may get back less than the amount invested. Information on past performance, where given, is not necessarily a guide to future performance.

Related Categories: Work, Reviews