Laboratory Facilities Maintenance, Protection, and Hygiene Supplies

Chemical Handling and Storage

Whether you are storing chemicals in a fixed location or moving them from place to place, we can help you meet the chemical safety needs of your lab. See the storage and transport solutions we have for you.

Facility Maintenance

From keeping your lab clean to properly disposing of biohazardous waste and materials, you can find what you need in our complete range of laboratory protection, maintenance, and cleaning products

Waste Management

Avantor has everything you need to collect, transport, process, recycle, and dispose of laboratory wastes. We can help you deal with all types of waste materials, including solids, liquids, sharps, and biohazards. Learn more about what we offer.

How Do You Maintain a Laboratory?

To maintain a lab, you need the right laboratory maintenance equipment and effective safety plans and training practices that promote a safe lab environment. Proper equipment maintenance and preventative maintenance services allow you to keep your lab clean and your lab instruments ready to perform at optimal levels.

What Are Hygiene and Safety Rules in Lab Practice?

Laboratory hygiene and safety rules in lab practice are regulations in place to protect you, others, research results, and the environment. Laboratory hygiene and safety rules vary depending on the institution and laboratory practices. The general guidelines stated here are basic recommendations.

Practicing good hygiene in a laboratory means:

• Hand washing occurs after removing gloves, after handling potentially hazardous materials, and before exiting the laboratory.
• Gloves are changed when contaminated and disposed of with other laboratory waste.
• Hair is tied or held back.
• Suction bulbs are used, and nothing is mouth pipetted.
• Work clothes are laundered regularly.
• No eating, drinking, smoking, or personal care products are applied in the lab.
• All work surfaces must be decontaminated before and after experiments and immediately if there is a spill or splash of any potentially infectious material. 

Laboratory safety rules may include:

• Appropriate personal protective equipment is worn at all times.
• Chemical inhalation is avoided.
• Follow laboratory rules to handle sharps and other lab equipment safely.
• Incidents that may result in exposure to infectious materials must be reported to the appropriate authority.

How Often Should You Maintain and Clean Your Lab Facilities?

You must regularly maintain and clean your lab facilities to ensure your results are accurate and your laboratory operates efficiently. Ensure your lab has the proper laboratory maintenance equipment and that researchers and lab staff follow appropriate laboratory hygiene rules. 

Lab facilities and equipment should be cleaned daily, and some equipment will need more frequent cleaning when in use. In addition to standard daily cleaning, it is advised to conduct a more thorough, deep cleaning once a week or more. 

Should your lab experience any spills or accidents, appropriate cleanup protocols must be followed immediately to avoid potential dangers. Keep in mind that certain accidents may require a professional emergency response service to maintain staff and environment safety.

Maintaining an organized and fully stocked laboratory is also key to an efficient and productive lab. Find all the lab protection supplies you need at Avantor.

Avantor Is Your Dependable Lab Partner

At Avantor, we take a collaborative approach and offer customizable solutions to support your growth and scientific discoveries. We deliver the products you need to focus on scientific breakthroughs from laboratory maintenance equipment to facilities maintenance supplies.

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