laboratory safety
A glossary of biosafety terms
Pairs that share a bench still do different jobs. Use this comparison to choose the right word for a cabinet, a chemical, a level, or a control.
8 October 2026 · 11 min read
Topic cluster
Laboratory safety
Biosafety levels, PPE, cabinets and sterilisation, written as educational guidance rather than an approval to proceed.
All topicsBuffers and laboratory water26Cell culture26Chromatography26Cold chain and sample storage26Cytometry and microscopy26DNA sequencing26Gels and blotting26Gene expression26Genome editing26Immunoassays26Laboratory labware26Laboratory safety26Liquid handling26Microbiology26Molecular cloning26Nucleic acid purification26PCR and amplification26Protein biochemistry26Proteomics26Research sourcing and study design26
biosafetyenquiryglossarytroubleshootingpipettesautoclavebenchescontainmentppereportingfume hoodsterilisationwastecabinetschemicalscylindersethidium bromidegels
26 articles
laboratory safety
Autoclaves and what sterilisation does not do
Steam sterilisation holds a cleaned load at temperature. It does not wash, remove endotoxin, or prove sterility because the tape changed colour.
8 October 2026 · 11 min read
Pillar · laboratory safety
Biosafety basics for research benches
Research-bench biosafety is a stack of barriers chosen by a risk assessment. This page explains the stack. It does not approve the work.
8 October 2026 · 10 min read
laboratory safety
Biosafety cabinets are not fume hoods
Choose a Class II cabinet, a chemical fume hood, or a laminar clean bench by what each airflow protects. HEPA filtration does not capture vapours.
8 October 2026 · 9 min read
laboratory safety
Biosafety levels are not a slogan
Biosafety levels name a bundle of practices, equipment, and facilities. They are not a slogan, and this page will not assign one to your organism.
8 October 2026 · 9 min read
laboratory safety
Cryogen burns and oxygen displacement
Cold burns and oxygen displacement are different injuries from one liquid. Compare contact controls with the controls for a small room or a lift.
8 October 2026 · 8 min read
laboratory safety
Disinfectants and contact time
Contact time, concentration, and organic load decide whether a disinfectant can work. Ethanol and bleach both fail in predictable ways.
8 October 2026 · 9 min read
laboratory safety
Ethidium bromide and safer dye choices still need care
Treat ethidium bromide as a mutagenic intercalator, and read the SDS for a dye sold as safer. Waste handling stays a local decision.
8 October 2026 · 11 min read
laboratory safety
Eye protection and a face shield
Compare safety glasses, sealed goggles, and a face shield by the splash they actually stop. A shield does not retire the need for goggles.
8 October 2026 · 9 min read
laboratory safety
Fume hoods and volatile chemicals
Sash, face opening, capture, and the test sticker are the working words of a chemical fume hood. Follow the laboratory SOP for the number.
8 October 2026 · 9 min read
laboratory safety
Gas cylinders and a secured chain
A hiss, a slack chain, or the wrong regulator are different faults. Separate oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen before you touch a fitting.
8 October 2026 · 8 min read
laboratory safety
Gloves are not a substitute for handwashing
Dirty gloves, a rash at the cuff, and solvent wetting the skin are symptoms to reason about. Handwashing still belongs after the gloves come off.
8 October 2026 · 9 min read