Tek, A. et al

Local reports suggest that a senior lab technician claimed that personal protective equipment is unnecessary to a junior lab technician. Asked to elaborate, the senior tech passionately proclaimed that lab coats, goggles, and other protective gear are uncomfortable and unnecessary.

“We don’t really work with anything too dangerous,” said the tech. “Maybe a few viral CRISPR-Cas9 constructs, some of your standard acids and bases, phenol-chloroform solutions and maybe you’ll run across some sodium azide every once in a while. No big deal. As long as you know what you’re doing, none of that stuff is gonna kill you.” 

Responding to inquiries about the scars on his arms, the lab tech peeled off his gloves and started pointing each of them out, describing how he got them. 

“Yeah, this one is from when I spilled hydrochloric acid on myself. Pretty gnarly. Ate right through the gloves I was wearing. This one is from a mouse, back when we were working with some rabies virus. I got the shots though, so everything’s fine. I’m not sure what this one is, but it’s probably another chemical burn. This one is from a cryostat blade, because I forgot to lock the wheel before removing my sample. The good news is the sample was fine. This one’s another chemical burn, I’m pretty sure this one is from broken glass that I tried to pick up, and this one’s another chemical burn.” 

“Honestly, there are a ton you can’t see, because sometimes I’ll spill something or drop something in my lap. I don’t want to share too much information, but it’s…. not pretty, and I’m probably infertile now.” 

“I’m also pretty sure I transduced myself at some point, because I’m expressing green fluorescent protein now. I can’t go into a room if it’s got a 488 nm laser on, or I’ll blind everyone with the fluorescence. Speaking from experience. The good news is that my doctor wants to write a case report on my GFP expression, so I get to contribute to science at the bench and at the bedside.”

When it was pointed out that nearly all of these injuries could be avoided by following standard operating protocols and wearing protective gear, the lab tech shrugged. “Yeah, but what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right?”