Question: have you ever hurt yourself/ some one else in your work

Jennifer Bates answered on 13 Nov 2016:

I haven’t hurt anyone else when working and I hope I never do, that is never the aim or intention of any science.

Myself – well I have got ill when on fieldwork, but that could happen anywhere. And I once had a little accident with some dilute (weak) hydrochloric acid, but I was wearing safety gear (gloves, goggles, lab coat) and working in a fume-hood so I didn’t get hurt. I spilled a bit and it splashed over the bench and my gloves, but because it was weak and I was protected by the safety clothing I was fine. It’s always important to do risk assessments and health and safety checks BEFORE you start working and prepare based on those, and that way if something happens like spilling chemicals you are ready, and it won’t matter so much. I just pulled the gloves and coat off, rinsed my hands, told the lab tech then cleaned up. And reported it all. 🙂