What should you do every time before leaving the lab?

Before leaving the lab, it is essential to remove your gloves and wash your hands to minimize the risk of contamination and prevent the spread of hazardous substances. Gloves can harbor chemicals, biological materials, or other residues that may be harmful if transferred to yourself or others. Therefore, taking off your gloves ensures that you do not unintentionally carry these hazards outside the lab environment.

Washing your hands is equally crucial. It removes any traces of chemicals or biological agents that could have come into contact with your skin during your work. This practice greatly reduces the risk of skin irritation or exposure to toxic substances after you've handled lab materials.

Both actions are a fundamental part of laboratory safety protocol, ensuring both personal safety and the safety of the surrounding community. While turning off equipment is also an important safety step, it does not address direct personal hygiene and safety concerns related to hazardous exposure when leaving the lab, which is why the combination of removing gloves and washing hands is essential.