Laboratory Safety Rules

Justification

1.      Do not work in the laboratory unless an instructor is present.

1.   A qualified person must be present to see that safe procedures are used and to provide immediate aid in case of an accident.

2.      Do not carry out any unauthorized experiment.

2.   Perform only experimental steps in the printed manual or given by the instructor.

3.      Read instructions for each lab before attending class.

3.   Students who know what is to be done in the laboratory generally make fewer mistakes.

4.      Label all containers with your name, the contents and the date.

4.      Many chemicals look alike; contents of a beaker may be water or concentrated acid.  Careful identification avoids accidents.

5.      Wear eye protection in the laboratory.

5.      Eyes are very susceptible to chemical injury and must be protected.

6.      Chemicals and equipment may be hazardous.  Verbal and written warnings must be followed.

6.      Do not assume that any chemical reagent is safe and that it does not require careful handling.

7.      Do not taste any chemical in the laboratory.

7.      It may be toxic; even NaCl may become contaminated and unsafe.  For the same reason, it is unsafe to bring food or drink into the laboratory.

8.      Never pipet by mouth.

8.      Drawing liquid into a pipet should be done only with a bulb or approved pipetter.

9.      Never pipet directly from the reagent bottle.

9.      Transfer the liquid into a secondary container such as a beaker to avoid contamination of the reagent bottle.

10.  Avoid skin contact with chemicals.

10.  Keep the outside of reagent containers, all of your equipment and counter top, free from chemical spills.  Wear gloves if instructed to do so; they will be provided.

11.  Do not inhale reagent fumes. Handle liquid reagent containers with care.

11.  Odor tests are to be made only when specifically instructed to do so.

12.  If you drop a beaker or other glassware, do not reach to catch it since this often leads to getting cut.

12.  Notify the instructor if there is broken glass.

13.  All broken glass must be placed in assigned glass disposal containers.

13. Only paper products go into the regular trash cans.

14.  If a chemical gets in your eye, call for help immediately.  Wash the eye thoroughly with the eye wash fountain.

14. Seconds count!  Immediate removal of the chemical is necessary to prevent possible damage to the eye. Recommended time for washing is 15 minutes after which the person must be taken for professional medical attention.

15.  Any chemical that comes in contact with your skin should be washed off with water right away.

15.  This is especially important for concentrated reagents and organic liquids.

16.  Know the location of fire blankets, safety shower and eye wash stations.

16.  Do not try to extinguish a small fire—evacuate the building; use a blanket if the person’s clothing catches fire.

17.  Know the evacuation siren and the exit route from your laboratory.

17.  If the fire alarm sounds, stop what you are doing and immediately exit the laboratory.  Go up the stairs and exit the building.  Wait outside for instructions.

18.  Immediately report any accident to your instructor, no matter how minor it may seem to you.

18.  Cuts, burns and chemical burns should be treated as soon as possible by a professional medical person.  Students and staff are not qualified to make medical decisions.

19.  You are advised to have health insurance.

19.  Minor cuts or burns may be treated by the staff at the Student Health Center.  For serious emergencies, a response team may be called at 9-911.

20.  You must be covered from shoulders to knees and must wear shoes that cover your feet.  Bare feet, sandals, shorts, sleeveless shirts, loose clothing and short skirts are unsafe and must not be worn in the laboratory.  Long hair should be tied back.

20.  Full coverage offers the best protection against chemical spills.  The use of lab coats is advised.

21.  Check with your instructor before disposing of chemicals down the sink.

21.  Most reagents in this laboratory may be poured down the drain, preferably with copious water.

22.  Clean your work bench before you leave at the end of the laboratory period.

22.  Leave the area safe for the next person.

23.  Do not take any chemical out of the laboratory.

23. You may be liable if another person is injured by a chemical or unauthorized equipment that you remove from the laboratory.