Which of the following is a fundamental principle of safety in a laboratory?

Wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is a fundamental principle of safety in a laboratory setting. PPE serves as a critical barrier to protect laboratory professionals from exposure to hazardous materials, biological agents, and chemical spills. It includes items such as gloves, goggles, lab coats, and masks, which are designed to safeguard an individual’s health while performing laboratory tasks.

The use of appropriate PPE is not just a recommendation; it is often mandated by safety regulations and lab protocols. By consistently donning PPE, laboratory personnel can significantly reduce the risk of injuries and contamination, ensuring a safer working environment for themselves and their colleagues.

In contrast to this principle, other options such as working alone, prioritizing speed over caution, and ignoring safety warnings directly undermine the safety protocols essential in a laboratory. Working alone increases the risk of accidents without immediate assistance, prioritizing speed can lead to mistakes and hazardous situations, and ignoring safety warnings can result in serious harm or accidents. These behaviors are contrary to best practices in laboratory safety.