In a chemical lab explosive organic diluents are usually used and stored. The use of these substances makes the environment exposed to the risk of explosion or fire. In general these flammable gases are used to catalyze chemical reactions. In other departments one can get in contact with other toxic substances depending on the specific production of the factory. Inert gases that can provoke asphyxia are commonly used.

GASES INVOLVED

Acetylene (C2H2): it is used to bank up the fire necessary to a chemical reaction.
LPG (C3H8): it is used to bank up the fire necessary to a chemical reaction.
Hydrogen (H2): it is a sub product of many processes. It is highly flammable if used as a component of more complex substances.
Methane (CH4): it is used to bank up the fire necessary to a chemical reaction.
Methanol (methyl alcohol) (CH3OH): used in many analysis processes, it is often the necessary diluent of chemical solutions.
Oxygen (O2): due to the presence of inert gases like argon or nitrogen, if there is a gas leak, the atmosphere can become short in oxygen.
Toxic gases in general: depending on the need, there are a lot of toxic or gaseous substances or vapours in these spaces.

EXPECTED RISKS

C2H2: at ordinary temperature and pressure it is a colourless, extremely flammable gas. It bursts very easily, therefore it I often diluted in acetone. Since it bursts and burns very easily, and its explosion releases a great amount of energy, acetylene needs to be handled with the utmost care.
C3H8: used as a fuel, LPG is a mixture of propane and butane, which is often odorized by ethantiol to make its detection easier in case of leaks. It can easily form an atmosphere with high risk of explosion.
H2: at elementary state, atmospheric pressure and room temperature it is a colourless, odourless, highly flammable gas. Hydrogen is the lightest, most abundant element in the whole universe.
CH4: methane is a simple hydrocarbon and is in nature in form of gas. Methane is the main component of natural gas and is an excellent fuel, able to form easily in atmosphere resulting in a high risk of explosion.