Lab Safety Information
[General Laboratory Practices] [Handling Chemicals] [Protective Equipment and Clothing] [Waste Disposal] [First Aid] [Fire] [Instrument Use Outside of the Lab Period] [Top of Page]
1. Never work in the laboratory alone.
2. Learn the location and operation of emergency equipment, blankets, and first aid supplies. Know what to do in case of an emergency.
3. Be properly prepared to do the experiment. Read the written procedures in advance and understand what you are going to do.
4. Observe all instructions given by the instructor, and note all precautions where indicated. Never attempt unauthorized or unassigned experiments. A violation of this rule often leads to unexpected injury
5. Act in a responsible manner at all times. No horseplay or fooling should occur in the lab.
6. Smoking, eating or drinking in the lab are forbidden.
7. At the end of the lab period clean your glassware and lab bench and put away all equipment. Before leaving the laboratorty wash your hands thoroughly.
[General Laboratory Practices] [Handling Chemicals] [Protective Equipment and Clothing] [Waste Disposal] [First Aid] [Fire] [Instrument Use Outside of the Lab Period] [Top of Page]
1. Before using any chemicals, carefully read and reread their labels. Treat all chemicals with respect. Know the hazards of the chemicals you are using before you handle them.
2. Never taste a chemical. Check odors only if instructed to do so, by gently wafting some of the vapor towards your nose with your hand. Be sure your work area is adequately ventilated for your experiment. Work in the fume hood if necessary.
3. Never return unused reagents to the reagent bottle. Be careful to take only what you actually need.
4. Chemicals spilled on the bench or floor should be cleaned up immediately after consulting your instructor about the method to be used.
[General Laboratory Practices] [Handling Chemicals] [Protective Equipment and Clothing] [Waste Disposal] [First Aid] [Fire] [Instrument Use Outside of the Lab Period] [Top of Page]
Protective Equipment and Clothing:
1. SAFETY GOGGLES MUST BE WORN IN THE LABORATORY AT ALL TIMES WHETHER YOU ARE ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN EXPERIMENTAL WORK OR NOT. Flying glass or corrosive chemicals can permanently damage your eyes. Contact lenses should not be worn in chemistry laboratories.
2. Lab coats or aprons, face shields, and gloves are available and should be worn if recommended by your instructor.
3. Shoes that give adequate protection against spilled chemicals or broken glass should be worn in the laboratory. Sandals are not allowed. Long hair must be tied back and loose, floppy clothing should not be worn.
[General Laboratory Practices] [Handling Chemicals] [Protective Equipment and Clothing] [Waste Disposal] [First Aid] [Fire] [Instrument Use Outside of the Lab Period] [Top of Page]
1. Dispose of chemicals properly. Follow the instructions given in your lab or by your instructor for the proper disposal of all wastes. Appropriately labeled containers will be found in the lab for this. Some non-hazardous water-soluble substances can be flushed down the drain with a large quantity of water. Be sure to check with your instructor if you are unsure of what to do.
2. Broken glass should go in special receptacles so as to avoid injury to the custodial staff.
[General Laboratory Practices] [Handling Chemicals] [Protective Equipment and Clothing] [Waste Disposal] [First Aid] [Fire] [Instrument Use Outside of the Lab Period] [Top of Page]
First Aid:
1. Chemicals in the Eyes: Flush eyes with water for at least 15 minutes using the eye wash fountain.
2. Chemical Spill on Skin or Clothing: Wash off chemicals splashed or spilled on your skin or body immediately at the sink or safety shower. Remove contaminated clothing.
3. Burns: Treat immediately by putting the burned area under cold water for at least 15 minutes.
[General Laboratory Practices] [Handling Chemicals] [Protective Equipment and Clothing] [Waste Disposal] [First Aid] [Fire] [Instrument Use Outside of the Lab Period] [Top of Page]
Fire:
1. Burning Clothing: If an article of clothing catches fire, move directly to the safety shower, roll the person on the floor, or wrap with a fire blanket. Never run. Never direct a fire extinguisher at a person. Get prompt medical attention.
2. Burning Reagents: Extinguish all nearby burners. Small fires in flasks and beakers can usually be extinguished by covering the container. Use a dry chemical or carbon dioxide fire extinguisher for larger fires, directing it at the base of the flames.
[General Laboratory Practices] [Handling Chemicals] [Protective Equipment and Clothing] [Waste Disposal] [First Aid] [Fire] [Instrument Use Outside of the Lab Period] [Top of Page]
- Special Instructions Regaing Instrument Use and Lab Work Outside of a Regularly Scheduled Lab Period:
- 1. Students who need to come in and do lab work at times other than during lab periods must do so between the hours of 9am and 6pm ONLY.
- 2. Students working in lab (not the instrument room) shoud check in with a faculty member before beginning work.
- 3. Students coming to to use instruments in the Instrument Room (Sci. Ctr. B-357) must sign up in advance to avoid scheduling conflicts. Should a student come in and find the equipment unused when he/she would like to use it, he/she should still sign up for that period on the reservation sheet so we know who has used it and when.
- 4. Faculty members who will have students using instruments outside of regularly scheduled lab period at time when he/she is not here, he/she should tell another faculty member as well as let the studnets know who to see for assistance.
- 5. ALL students working in these "unsupervised" situations MUST observe all safety requirements - glass or goggles and NO FOOD in the lab. A student will be asked to leave for not following the safety rules.
[General Laboratory Practices] [Handling Chemicals] [Protective Equipment and Clothing] [Waste Disposal] [First Aid] [Fire] [Instrument Use Outside of the Lab Period] [Top of Page]
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