--- title: 5 Must-Do Lab Safety Checks Before Starting Any Pharmaceutical Experiment siteUrl: https://logzly.com/precisionlabsupplies author: precisionlabsupplies (Precision Lab Supplies) date: 2026-06-15T20:34:13.733278 tags: [labsafety, pharma, precisionlab] url: https://logzly.com/precisionlabsupplies/5-must-do-lab-safety-checks-before-starting-any-pharmaceutical-experiment --- **Disclosure: We are reader supported, and earn affiliate commissions when you buy through us.** Every morning I walk into the lab and feel that familiar mix of excitement and caution. The excitement comes from the promise of a new discovery, the caution from the memory of the time I almost spilled a bottle of hot solvent because I skipped a quick safety glance. That close call reminded me why a short safety checklist is worth more than a dozen hours of work later. Below are the five checks I never start a [pharma experiment](/precisionlabsupplies/5-must-do-lab-safety-checks-before-starting-any-pharmaceutical-experiment) without. ## 1. Put on the Right PPE – It’s Not Just a Fashion Statement [Personal protective equipment](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=personal+protective+equipment&tag=organizationtip101-20), or PPE, is the first line of defense between you and a chemical surprise. In our lab we use [lab coats](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=lab+coats&tag=organizationtip101-20), [safety glasses](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=safety+glasses&tag=organizationtip101-20), [nitrile gloves](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=nitrile+gloves&tag=organizationtip101-20), and sometimes [face shields](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=face+shields&tag=organizationtip101-20). - **[Lab coat](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=lab+coat&tag=organizationtip101-20):** Choose a coat that is flame‑resistant and long enough to cover your torso. A short coat can leave your skin exposed to splashes. - **Gloves:** Match the glove material to the chemicals you’ll handle. Nitrile works for most organics, but if you’re dealing with [strong acids](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=strong+acids&tag=organizationtip101-20), a thicker, acid‑resistant glove is better. - **Safety glasses:** Wrap‑around styles protect against side splashes. If you’re using a fume hood, a [face shield](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=face+shield&tag=organizationtip101-20) adds an extra layer. A quick tip: before you start, do a “glove‑check” – pull the glove inside out and look for tears or punctures. I once grabbed a pair that looked fine, only to discover a tiny pinhole that let a drop of dimethyl sulfoxide seep through. The lesson? A five‑second glance saves a whole day of decontamination. ## 2. Verify Equipment Calibration and Integrity A calibrated balance, a working centrifuge, or a properly set temperature controller can mean the difference between a clean result and a failed batch. - **Balances:** Tare [the balance](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=The+Balance&tag=organizationtip101-20) with a clean container and verify the reading with a known weight. If the balance drifts by more than 0.1 mg, recalibrate or call maintenance. - **Pumps and [dispensing bottles](/precisionlabsupplies/how-to-choose-the-right-dispensing-bottles-for-gmpcompliant-pharma-research):** Check that the flow rate matches the set value. A loose tubing connection can cause under‑dosing, which in pharma can affect potency. - **Glassware:** Inspect for cracks or chips. Even a small hairline crack can cause a leak under pressure. When I was a graduate student, I once trusted a [pH meter](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=pH+meter&tag=organizationtip101-20) that had not been calibrated in weeks. The meter read 7.2, but the solution was actually at 5.8, leading to a batch that failed stability testing. A quick calibration with a fresh buffer would have caught that. ## 3. Confirm Chemical Inventory and Review SDS Before you reach for a bottle, make sure you know exactly what’s inside and how it behaves. - **[Inventory check](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=inventory+check&tag=organizationtip101-20):** Verify that the bottle you plan to use is the correct lot number and that the label matches the intended compound. Mislabelled bottles are more common than we think. - **Safety Data Sheet (SDS):** Every chemical must have an up‑to‑date SDS on file. The SDS tells you about hazards, first‑aid measures, and proper disposal. Keep a printed copy at the bench or have it open on a tablet. I recall a time when I grabbed a bottle of “acetone” that turned out to be a mixture with a small amount of chloroform. The SDS for pure acetone didn’t warn about the [respiratory risks](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=respiratory+risks&tag=organizationtip101-20) of chloroform, and I inhaled a bit more than I should have. A quick glance at the SDS would have flagged the unexpected additive. ## 4. Ensure [Proper Ventilation](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=proper+ventilation&tag=organizationtip101-20) – Test the Fume Hood Most pharma work involves volatile or toxic compounds, so a functioning fume hood is non‑negotiable. - **Face velocity test:** Hold a [piece of paper](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=piece+of+paper&tag=organizationtip101-20) at the opening; it should be pulled gently toward the hood at about 100 feet per minute. If the paper flutters away, the hood is not pulling enough air. - **Sash position:** Keep the sash at the recommended height (usually 18 inches). Raising it too high reduces the hood’s protective airflow. - **Filters:** Check that HEPA or [carbon filters](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=carbon+filters&tag=organizationtip101-20) are within service life. A [clogged filter](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=clogged+filter&tag=organizationtip101-20) can cause back‑flow of contaminants. A colleague once left the sash fully open while measuring a volatile ester. The hood’s airflow dropped, and the ester vapor spread across the bench, triggering the alarm. The lesson: a simple paper test before you start can keep the whole lab breathing easy. ## 5. Review [Emergency Procedures](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=emergency+procedures&tag=organizationtip101-20) and [Spill Kits](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=spill+kits&tag=organizationtip101-20) Even with the best preparation, accidents happen. Knowing what to do before the alarm sounds can save time and health. - **Locate the nearest [eye wash](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=eye+wash&tag=organizationtip101-20) station and safety shower:** Make sure the path is clear. - **Check the spill kit:** Verify that the kit contains [absorbent pads](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Absorbent+pads&tag=organizationtip101-20), neutralizing agents, and proper waste containers for the chemicals you’ll use. - **Know the evacuation route:** Walk the route once a month; it’s easy to forget a door that’s usually locked. I once had a small spill of a strong acid on the bench. Because I had just refreshed my memory of the spill kit location, I was able to neutralize the acid with the right agent within seconds, preventing damage to the bench and a nasty skin burn. Putting these five checks into a quick mental routine takes less than two minutes, but it builds a [culture of safety](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=culture+of+safety&tag=organizationtip101-20) that protects you, your teammates, and the data you work so hard to generate. In pharma, where a single error can ripple into costly delays, a disciplined safety start is the smartest experiment you can run.