Engineering controls are the first line of defense for minimizing or eliminating potential exposure to biological, chemical, and physical hazards in the laboratory setting. Many times, engineering controls are unique to specific laboratory applications.
Examples of commonly found engineering controls in a laboratory setting include chemical fume hoods, biosafety cabinets, glove boxes, and ventilated storage cabinets.
Laboratory Engineering Control Topics
Local exhaust ventilation is the primary method used to control inhalation exposures to hazardous substances. The chemical fume hood is the most common local exhaust method used in laboratories at RPI.
Biosafety Cabinets
Biological safety cabinets (BSCs) are used to protect lab members, materials and the environment from exposure to biohazards and cross contamination during routine procedures through a simple system of airflow and filters. BSCs are used whenever activities using potentially infectious biological material might generate droplets, splashes or aerosols.
