What is laboratory quality control? That’s a loaded question if we’ve ever heard one. With so much science happening in one area, it’s important to adhere to strong standards. This ensures that you can keep doing the tests and research that drives your passion without worrying about hitting snags of any kind.

So what kinds of protocols do labs need to follow? It’s about more than just keeping the workspace clean and maintaining attention to detail. Let’s go over some of the quality control standards you should be vigilant about maintaining. 

Organization

There are likely several people in and out of your lab from day to day, meaning there are several studies and experiments happening at the same time. Keeping these organized and running efficiently largely depends on having the right people in the right positions. Be sure to maintain a hierarchical chart and update it when necessary. Lab managers, safety officers, and quality control supervisors are all vital positions whose jobs should be done diligently.

Inventory

There’s a lot of equipment within the walls of a lab. Because of this, it’s important to document and categorize each item in the space. Be sure to train the proper individuals when any new piece of equipment is introduced to the lab, and always make the manuals accessible to everyone. In addition, keep logs of any equipment malfunctions so you know what items need some TLC from maintenance professionals.

Personnel

Your people are the most important lab resource. Without them, everything else is useless. That’s why it’s so important to make sure they’re always working to the best of their abilities. We’re not suggesting you run things like a boot camp, but routine training and staff/management meetings are a great way to keep open dialogue across the board. Making sure everyone is adhering to the lab’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) is paramount, so performance and proficiency tests need to happen as well.

Process Control and Improvement

Process is important for any successful business, but more so for a lab. The focus here is the handling of samples, equipment, and other specimens. We’ve already touched on making sure personnel receive proper training on equipment, but it’s important to have pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical processes in place. Be sure to appoint the best person for the job to coordinate workflow.

Occurrence Management

We’re all human, meaning accidents happen. Even the best labs have faced their fair share. In preparation for an unexpected event, it’s advisable to have plans in place to mitigate the incident and take steps to prevent it from happening in the future. If necessary, consider retraining programs on equipment servicing. If you want to make sure you’re covering all your bases, a qualified entity such as Bane Bio is more than happy to step in.

Facilities and Safety

Labs contain hazardous materials. Like any establishment that works with potential dangers such as this, having strict safety policies is a must. Making all safety equipments such as, first aid kits and extinguishers easily accessible should be a priority as well as mandatory safety trainings for everyone who works in the lab. As mentioned above, you should have an emergency response plan in place… just in case!

Client Communication

If you’re offering lab services to external clients, it’s important to maintain an open line of communication. This allows ideas and feedback to travel between both parties quickly, which helps the overall process stay on track!

Document Everything

Take everything we’ve talked about thus far and document it thoroughly. Lab rules, hours of operation, current projects, safety protocols—all of it should be documented to include every detail. SOPs should be in writing for all procedures including specimen collection, storage, transport, and disposal.

This is just a brief overview of the things you should be keeping in mind to maintain the safety and efficiency of your lab. We could go on all day about methods for improving laboratory quality control—it’s a passion of ours! We hope you use this as a starting point for developing your rock-solid quality control protocols.

For any laboratory equipment or service needs such as logistics, repairs, or service plans, keep BaneBio top-of-mind. We’re the home of the scientific supermarket, and we’re here to help!

Like it or not, a laboratory can be a dangerous place. After all, it’s filled with chemicals as well as equipment that’s often heavy, fragile, sharp, or all three! That doesn’t mean all laboratories are dangerous, though. In fact, yours can be pretty safe, as long as you maintain a heavy focus on safety at all times.

The first step to being safe is anticipating what can go wrong, so why don’t we talk about some common hazards that you may have to deal with in your lab?

Emergency: Fire

You should always be wary of the potential for a fire, but pay extra close attention to a few select places. If you store flammable chemicals in your lab, this is a highly likely spot for a fire. The same goes for electronics, especially those that are meant to provide heat for any purpose.

While anticipating flames is important, you should also be prepared for a scenario in which it actually happens. Is there a sprinkler system that will kick in? Do you know where the fire extinguisher is? Do you know how to access and use it? Be sure to provide proper training for this equipment to all lab employees so that everyone is prepared if the situation were to occur. 

Emergency: Flood

Depending on the situation, water can be a great help or an immense hazard. In a lab, it can become the latter in several ways. Is the lab in an area where rain is common? Is it on the first floor of the building? Are there a lot of overhead pipes that could potentially burst?

If your answer to any of those questions is “yes,” be sure to have a contingency plan in place. Floor drains are highly advisable, as is equipment that you can use to manually remove water, like an industrial shop vac. It’s also crucial to keep water away from any electrical equipment that could harm you should it get wet, so be mindful of this if you find yourself in an unfortunate flooding situation.

Emergency: Extreme Weather

Nature will always be a force to be reckoned with, even in the perceived safety of the indoors. It can be a catalyst for the aforementioned flooding, but water damage isn’t the only thing bad weather can bring.

It’s always wise to anticipate strong winds from hurricanes or tornadoes. If you’re in the planning stage for your lab, consider finding a space away from outside walls and windows of a building. Should your lab still be at the mercy of destructive winds, remember your employees’ safety is top priority. Ensure they are in the safest place possible should bad weather hit while they’re in the lab. Memorize all the shelter in place procedures and know the “danger zones” to avoid.

Emergency: Hazardous Material Spill

Of all the potential emergencies a lab can face, hazardous materials present the widest range and most common forms of danger. Depending on what chemicals are being used, you could be facing anything from chemical burns to explosions.

Most chemical spills are easily dealt with by laboratory staff, but only if the lab itself provides them with the necessary equipment. Eye wash stations are a must, as well as proper protective gear and disposal containers. In the event of a more subtle emergency such as a gas leak, it’s imperative that monitoring devices are in place. Just as you wouldn’t set up a lab without a sprinkler system, you need to have things in place to detect harmful substances.

What about the incidents that are too big for your staff to handle? Having a rock solid response plan is crucial. Know the evacuation procedure, how to clean yourself off, and who to call to handle the cleanup. All of these procedures should be memorized by everyone before even a single bunsen burner is turned on.

Setting up a lab is hard work, but it’s all worth it to make sure things are done properly and employees are kept safe. While cutting corners may seem productive in the immediate future, you’ll be regretting it if you’re faced with a lab fire or hazardous material spill. BaneBio is an industry expert in setting up your lab for success. With extensive experience in lab logistics, we’ll make sure you start on the right foot with safety in mind.

It’s the biotech entrepreneur’s dream. A science-based startup business’ Graceland, if you will. It’s lab design time, and BaneBio is here to walk you through the process of setting up your new lab design. 

The Business of Labs

The best opportunities begin with business plans, and a lab is no exception. Your business plan should include the following:

• An executive summary
• Company description
• Market analysis
• Organization structure
• Management structure
• Outline of services
• Products offered
• Funding request

This high-level overview of your company spells out why you know your lab will be successful, the services it will provide, the structure in place, and where dollars are allocated to make it profitable. If you’re looking for investors or a loan, this plan will come in handy to pique their interest. 

The Space

There are several ways to get rolling on your lab, from leasing spaces that once housed labs to building your business to spec. Although it is more costly to start from scratch, trying to fit into a former science space may not be ideal if they were not operationally set up similarly to the services and research you’ll offer. 

The Start-Up

Building a lab from the ground up is an investment. It’s one of the reasons why BaneBio is home of the scientific supermarket and is meticulous about prime used lab equipment. When selecting each piece that will make up your laboratory, following your budget is critical. Pay attention to where each dollar is going, from the flooring to the number of workspaces required. It’s not about cutting costs: it’s about making the best decisions when securing inventory and building your infrastructure. 

The Move

Moving large equipment and some lab-specific items may require specialty movers. Two guys and their truck may not be licensed to transport your items. You also want to ensure that your inventory is relocated by professionals who understand the precision required. When moving frozen storage, ensure all freezers are working and meet temperature requirements before stocking them. 

The Equipment

Now comes the fun part! BaneBio’s team is well-versed in helping labs of all sizes select just the right pieces. The type of labwork your company performs means you’ll need specific items. You can always add more tech and lab items later. What you need now is an expert like BaneBio to get you up and to run the right way. 

The Employees

You need more than a simple “Help Wanted” ad to build your team. Acquiring the right talent is critical, from compliance and labor laws to certifications and specialty areas. Remember, part of the lure to attract team members comes down to benefits, compensation, company culture, communication tools, and having the right leaders in place to encourage communication and job satisfaction. 

Let BaneBio Take the Stress out of Your New Laboratory 

BaneBio has lent its expertise and services to laboratories in the BioHealth Capital Region for over a decade. We are your trusted laboratory sales and moving service provider with the equipment knowledge, proper equipment handling materials, and proven customer satisfaction to meet and exceed your expectations.  

Don’t just let any company offer their purchasing suggestions or move your valuable scientific equipment: trust BaneBio, the Lab Logistics experts. Contact us today!