Working in a laboratory usually involves working with various chemical, physical, and biological hazards. Because the hazards vary from lab to lab, employers must address the hazards specific to their workplaces by developing and implementing.
This handbook is intended to be a guide to health and safety for laboratory workers and employers. It is based on the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, particularly Part 30 and Part 5. Although this handbook discusses various hazards in laboratories and lists safety precautions, the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation is the formal statement of WorkSafeBC (Workers’ Compensation Board of British Columbia) policy and forms the rules that will be enforced by WorkSafeBC officers.
A laboratory is a room, building, or area in a building equipped with apparatus, equipment, chemicals, or test animals and used for research, quality control, performance tests, experiments, measurements, photographic development, or the preparation of drugs or other products in the natural sciences. For example, areas used for clinical, optical, dental, veterinary, electronic, non-destructive, and pharmaceutical testing are all considered to be laboratories for the purpose of this handbook and Part 30 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation.

This guide is to be used in conjunction with the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation and Introduction other pertinent WorkSafeBC publications. For assistance and information on workplace health and safety, call toll-free within B.C. 1 888 621-SAFE (7233).