Ira Wainless, B.Ch.E., PE, CIH

Ira Wainless, B.Ch.E., PE, CIH, is a former senior industrial hygiene engineer for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). His career spanned 42 years in industrial hygiene, and he is currently a freelance writer living in Springfield, Virginia.

Articles by Ira Wainless, B.Ch.E., PE, CIH

Compressed gas cylinders in a lab

How to Work Safely with Compressed Gas Cylinders

by Ira Wainless, B.Ch.E., PE, CIH

Compressed gas cylinders require proper handling, storage, and disposal

Two female scientists working at a fume hood

Best Practices for Selecting and Using a Fume Hood

by Ira Wainless, B.Ch.E., PE, CIH

Ensure clean air in the lab with the right fume hood materials, specifications, and usage

A closeup of someone putting glassware into a laboratory oven.

How to Safely Work with Chemicals in a Laboratory Oven

by Ira Wainless, B.Ch.E., PE, CIH

Laboratory ovens and their components can pose risks such as fire, explosion, and burn hazards

Chemical Spill Management and Response

Chemical Spill Management and Response

by Ira Wainless, B.Ch.E., PE, CIH

Best practices for preventing chemical spills in the lab

Electrical Safety in the Laboratory

Electrical Safety in the Laboratory

by Ira Wainless, B.Ch.E., PE, CIH

Electricity powers nearly everything used in the lab, but the associated hazards should never be overlooked

The OSHA Laboratory Standard

The OSHA Laboratory Standard

by Ira Wainless, B.Ch.E., PE, CIH

A comprehensive summary of the significant provisions of the regulation