When should you wear gloves in the lab?

Wearing gloves in the laboratory is essential for maintaining safety and preventing contamination. When working with any chemicals or biological materials, gloves act as a protective barrier between your skin and potentially harmful substances. Many chemicals can be absorbed through the skin, and biological materials may pose a risk of infection or exposure to pathogens. Therefore, the need to wear gloves is not limited to strong acids or cleaning tasks; rather, it should be a standard practice any time you are in contact with various substances in the lab. This approach promotes a safer working environment and minimizes the risk of chemical burns, allergic reactions, or infections.

By following this guideline, you help to ensure not only your safety but also that of others in the laboratory, as the risk of contamination and exposure is significantly reduced.