First impressions matter, and laboratories are no exception. Whether visitors are collaborators, prospective hires, regulatory inspectors, service technicians, or members of company leadership, the condition of the lab can influence how they perceive the organization’s safety culture, attention to detail, and overall quality of work.
Whether it’s a state-of-the-art facility or a small start-up laboratory, the first thing visitors notice is whether the space appears safe to enter, which often equates to an organized, well-maintained, and clean laboratory.
Here are five practices laboratories should follow that have the biggest impact on first impressions.
1. Housekeeping
Housekeeping is often one of the first things people notice when they enter a laboratory. Uncluttered work surfaces, organized storage areas, and clean floors enable safe movement through the space, reduce hazards, and make it easier for employees to find and use materials appropriately. Good housekeeping can also help prevent contamination and support more efficient day-to-day work.
For visitors, the overall cleanliness of the lab can shape their first impression of how it is managed. Cluttered benches, accumulated boxes, or dirty floors and surfaces give the impression that the laboratory is not a priority for the organization. While these observations do not necessarily mean unsafe work is occurring, they increase the likelihood of incidents and accidents, which may cause concerns for visitors entering the space.
Implementing routine laboratory cleanups is one of the best ways to ensure that housekeeping is properly managed. It is also helpful to have designated spaces for supplies, such as consumables shelves, central chemical storage, and large bins for cardboard recycling.
2. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Use
PPE use is one of the most visible ways a laboratory communicates safety expectations. Wearing appropriate PPE helps reduce the risk of exposure to chemical, biological, and physical hazards.
However, despite being one of the primary methods of protection, noncompliance with an organization’s PPE policy is a common finding during laboratory inspections. If visitors observe employees not wearing PPE, they may also be more likely to forgo it, increasing both their risk of harm and the organization’s liability.
To encourage PPE use, all laboratory entrances should be well-stocked with common equipment such as lab coats, safety glasses, and gloves. There should also be designated areas for doffing PPE, which can be as simple as hooks for used lab coats and bins for used gloves. Door signage communicating the required PPE for entering a lab serves as a helpful visual reminder.
It is also important that visitors be offered any PPE they may need while in the laboratory, and this is something that inspectors often take note of. For this reason, extra PPE should always be stocked in a variety of sizes.
3. Material Labeling and Storage
Material labeling and storage are important because they help employees and visitors understand what is present in the lab, how items should be handled, and what hazards may be present. Clear labels and organized storage also support sound research by reducing the risk of sample mix-ups, incompatible storage, expired material use, and cross-contamination.
For visitors such as collaborators or company leadership who have a vested interest in the quality of work being conducted, improper material labeling or storage can leave a negative impression or cause doubt. Inspectors, such as fire department personnel, are particularly sensitive to labeling and storage practices because deficiencies can contribute to incidents, accidents, and unsafe conditions for first responders.
To support proper labeling, it is helpful to stock premade labels containing accurate compositions and hazards for commonly used solutions. Blank template labels are also useful because they prompt the user to fill out the necessary information, such as the contents of the container, its hazards, and its expiration date. It is also important to equip laboratories with enough chemical storage to support the materials being used. For example, if flammable liquids do not all fit within the flammable storage cabinet that is available, additional cabinets should be obtained, or the inventory should be strictly limited to only the amount that can be stored within the cabinet.
4. Condition of Laboratory Facilities
Broken or damaged equipment, poor lighting, evidence of leaks or spills, and unusual odors are not only unsightly, but also contribute to a more hazardous work environment. Similar to the other issues discussed, poorly maintained laboratory facilities can be indicative of broader issues within the organization.
Visitors are more likely to feel safe and comfortable entering a laboratory that appears well-maintained. Inspectors, in particular, pay close attention to routine maintenance items such as certification stickers on fume hoods and biosafety cabinets. In addition to creating a safe work environment, another benefit of maintaining facilities in good condition is that it enables employees to work effectively and efficiently.
While facilities upkeep is heavily dependent on the availability of resources, simple practices such as using a calendar to track routine equipment maintenance can be helpful. It is also more cost-effective to address issues promptly before they become major problems requiring extensive repairs.
5. Work Practices
Finally, certain work practices are another highly visible indicator of the safety culture and quality of work being performed. For example, visitors almost always notice whether their host washes their hands before exiting the laboratory, and this is also a common observation for inspectors. Eating and drinking in the lab is another issue that is easy to spot, particularly by the presence of water bottles, coffee mugs, or food wrappers in trash cans.
Often, people are aware of the importance of these work practices but can become complacent, particularly if something is inconvenient. Laboratories should be set up so that they encourage people to work safely, such as having handwashing sinks near entrances/exits and ensuring they are stocked with soap and paper towels. Annual safety trainings are a great opportunity to reinforce proper procedures and address common unsafe practices.
Integrating safety into the daily culture of a lab does more than reduce risk and liability. Basic safety practices such as good housekeeping, consistent PPE use, clear labeling, and routine maintenance all contribute to visitors’ perception of an organization. They not only support safety but also accurate, efficient, and high-quality work, and serve as indicators of strong organizational management.
For more information on laboratory safety programs or for help evaluating safety practices at your facility, please contact us.
This blog was written by Mutya Cruz, PhD, a Quality, Research, and Training (QRT) Specialist at Safety Partners.
