Laboratory

Laboratory
Modern biochemistry laboratory at the University of Cologne
Chemistry laboratory of the 18th century, of the sort used by Antoine Lavoisier and his contemporaries
Lavoisier's Laboratory, Musée des Arts et Métiers, Paris

A laboratory (pronounced /ləˈbɒrətəri, ˈlæbərətri/; informally, lab) is a facility that provides controlled conditions in which scientific research, experiments, and measurement may be performed. The title of laboratory is also used for certain other facilities where the processes or equipment used are similar to those in scientific laboratories. These notably include:

In recent years government and private centers for innovation in learning, leadership and organization have adopted "lab" in their name to emphasize the experimental and research-oriented nature of their work.

Scientific laboratories can be found in schools and universities, in industry, in government or military facilities, and even aboard ships and spacecraft. A new concept developed by Agenda 1, a UK based lab, is Lab Time Share which provides start up businesses with access to high quality laboratories and staff at a reduced cost[1] . A laboratory might offer work space for just one to more than thirty researchers depending on its size and purpose.

Contents

Characteristics of scientific laboratories

Labs used for scientific research take many forms because of the differing requirements of specialists in the various fields of science. A physics lab might contain a particle accelerator or vacuum chamber, while a metallurgy lab could have apparatus for casting or refining metals or for testing their strength. A chemist or biologist might use a wet laboratory, while a psychologist's lab might be a room with one-way mirrors and hidden cameras in which to observe behavior. In some laboratories, such as those commonly used by computer scientists, computers (sometimes supercomputers) are used for either simulations or the analysis of data collected elsewhere. Scientists in other fields will use still other types of laboratories. Despite the great differences among laboratories, some features are common. The use of workbenches or countertops at which the scientist may choose to either sit or stand is a common way to ensure comfortable working conditions for the researcher, who may spend a large portion of his or her working day in the laboratory. The provision of cabinets for the storage of laboratory equipment is quite common. It is traditional for a scientist to record an experiment's progress in a laboratory notebook, but modern labs almost always contain at least one computer workstation for data collection and analysis.

Lab safety

In some laboratories, the conditions are no more dangerous than in any other room. In many labs, though, hazards are present. Laboratory hazards are as varied as the subjects of study in laboratories, and might include poisons; infectious agents; flammable, explosive, or radioactive materials; moving machinery; extreme temperatures; lasers, strong magnetic fields or high voltage. In laboratories where dangerous conditions might exist, safety precautions are important. Rules exist to minimize the individual's risk, and safety equipment is used to protect the lab user from injury or to assist in responding to an emergency.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States, recognizing the unique characteristics of the laboratory workplace, has tailored a standard for occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals in laboratories. This standard is often referred to as the "Laboratory Standard". Under this standard, a laboratory is required to produce a Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) which addresses the specific hazards found in its location, and its approach to them.

In determining the proper Chemical Hygiene Plan for a particular business or laboratory, it is necessary to understand the requirements of the standard, evaluation of the current safety, health and environmental practices and assessment of the hazards. The CHP must be reviewed annually. Many schools and businesses employ safety, health, and environmental specialists, such as a Chemical Hygiene Officer (CHO) to develop, manage, and evaluate their CHP. Additionally, third party review is also used to provide an objective "outside view" which provides a fresh look at areas and problems that may be taken for granted or overlooked due to habit.

Inspections and audits like also be conducted on a regular basis to assess hazards due to chemical handling and storage,[2] electrical equipment, biohazards, hazardous waste management, housekeeping and emergency preparedness, radiation safety, ventilation as well as respiratory testing and indoor air quality. An important element of such audits is the review of regulatory compliance and the training of individuals who have access to and/or work in the laboratory. Training is critical to the ongoing safe operation of the laboratory facility. Educators, staff and management must be engaged in working to reduce the likelihood of accidents, injuries and potential litigation. Efforts are made to ensure laboratory safety videos are both relevant and engaging.[3]

Sources for further information:

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), www.osha.gov; Laboratory Safety Institute (LSI), www.labsafety.org; American Chemical Society (ACS), www.acs.org

References

  1. ^ Flaherty, Richard D. "Managing Chemical Life Cycles," Lab Manager, http://www.labmanager.com/articles.asp?ID=238
  2. ^ Michael L. Matson, Jeffrey P. Fitzgerald, Shirley Lin "Creating Customized, Relevant, and Engaging Laboratory Safety Videos" Journal of Chemical Education 2007 84 (10), 1727 http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ed084p1727

See also


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Laboratory — Lab o*ra*to*ry, n.; pl. {Laboratories}. [Shortened fr. elaboratory; cf. OF. elaboratoire, F. laboratoire. See {Elaborate}, {Labor.}] [Formerly written also {elaboratory}.] 1. The workroom of a chemist; also, a place devoted to experiments in any… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • laboratory — [n] testing room chemistry laboratory, lab, research laboratory, workshop; concepts 312,439,441,448,449 …   New thesaurus

  • laboratory — [lab′rə tôr΄ē; ] occas. [ lab′ər ə tôr΄ē; ] Brit [ lə bôr′ə tər ē] n. pl. laboratories [ML laboratorium < L laborare: see LABOR, vi.] 1. a room, building, etc. for scientific experimentation or research 2. a place for preparing chemicals,… …   English World dictionary

  • laboratory — UK US /ləˈbɒrətəri/ US  /ˈlæbrətɔːri/ noun [C] (plural laboratories) (INFORMAL lab) ► a room or building with equipment for doing scientific tests: »The company makes analytical equipment for industrial and research laboratories. »laboratory… …   Financial and business terms

  • laboratory — (n.) c.1600, building set apart for scientific experiments, from M.L. laboratorium a place for labor or work, from L. laboratus, pp. of laborare to work (see LABOR (Cf. labor) (n.)). Figurative use by 1660s …   Etymology dictionary

  • laboratory — is pronounced in BrE with the stress on the second syllable and in AmE with the stress on the first syllable (and the final syllable like Tory) …   Modern English usage

  • laboratory — ► NOUN (pl. laboratories) ▪ a room or building for scientific experiments, research, or teaching, or for the manufacture of drugs or chemicals. ORIGIN Latin laboratorium, from laborare to labour …   English terms dictionary

  • laboratory — 01. He was working in his [laboratory] on some kind of experiment when the explosion occurred. 02. We went to the Language [lab] once a week to work on our listening skills. 03. There was an accident in the chemistry [laboratory] when some guy… …   Grammatical examples in English

  • laboratory */*/ — UK [ləˈbɒrət(ə)rɪ] / US [ˈlæbrəˌtɔrɪ] noun [countable] Word forms laboratory : singular laboratory plural laboratories a) a building or large room where people do scientific and medical experiments or research our new research laboratory b) [only …   English dictionary

  • laboratory — lab|o|ra|to|ry [ læbrə,tɔri, British lə bɔrət(ə)ri ] noun count ** a building or large room where people do scientific and medical experiments or research: our new research laboratory a. only before noun working in, used in, or done in a… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

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