Common Laboratory
Safety Rules
The following guidelines have been established to minimize
hazards and to maintain basic safety in the laboratory:
A- General Safety
Guidelines:
1.
Eye protection (safety glasses/goggles) and lab coats must
be worn at all times
you are in the lab.
2.
Follow all written and verbal instructions carefully. If
you do not understand a direction or part of a procedure, ask your lab
instructor before proceeding with the activity.
3.
Perform only those experiments authorized by your lab
instructor. Carefully follow all instructions, both written and oral.
Unauthorized experiments are not allowed.
4.
Be prepared for your work in the laboratory. Read all
procedures thoroughly before entering the laboratory.
5.
Never fool around in the laboratory. Horseplay and
practical jokes are dangerous and prohibited.
6.
Be alert and proceed with caution at al times in the
laboratory. Notify the lab instructor immediately of any unsafe conditions you
observe.
7. Know what you are working with. Read material safety data
sheets (MSDSs) and container labels for all chemicals. Know how the chemical
can hurt you, how to avoid harmful conditions in your work area, and how to
respond to an accident.
8.
Be familiar with the location of emergency equipment, fire
alarms, fire extinguishers, emergency eyewash and shower stations and know the
appropriate emergency response procedures.
9.
Dispose of all chemical waste properly. Never mix chemicals
in sink drains. Sinks are to be used only for water. Check with your lab
instructor for disposal of chemicals and solutions.
10.
Keep hands away from face, eyes, mouth, and body while
using chemicals or lab equipment.
11.
Experiments must be personally monitored at all times. Do
not wander around the room, distract other students, or interfere with the
laboratory experiments of others.
B- Clothing and
PPE:
1.
Dress properly during laboratory activity. Long hair,
dangling jewelry, and loose or baggy clothing are hazard in the laboratory.
Long hair must be tied back, and dangling jewelry and baggy clothing must be
secured. Shoes must completely cover the foot. No sandals allowed in the lab.
2.
A lab coat and eye protection must be worn during all
laboratory experiments.
C- Health and
Hygiene:
1.
Avoid direct contact with any hazardous chemical. Know the
types of personal protective equipment available (PPE) and use the proper type
for each job, according to the instructions of the lab technician.
2.
Do not use mouth suction to pipette chemicals or start
siphon; a pipette bulb or an aspirator should be used to provide vacuum.
3.
Use appropriate safety equipment whenever exposure to
gases, vapors or aerosols is suspected, and ensure exhaust facilities are
working properly.
4.
Do not wear contact lenses around toxic vapors.
5.
Do not use lab glassware for eating or drinking.
6.
Operations involving toxic, irritating or noxious
substances should
be conducted in lab hoods.
7.
Wash well before leaving laboratory area. Do not use
solvents for
washing the skin.
Washing with solvents can cause dermatitis and facilitate absorption of toxic
chemicals
8.
Wash hands and remove lab coats and other protective
equipment prior to leaving the laboratory for lunch or coffee breaks.
9.
Do not eat, drink, smoke, chew gum, or apply cosmetics
(makeup) in the lab. Never store food in a chemical refrigerator or chemicals
in a food refrigerator.
D- Good
Housekeeping:
A clean work area is safer than cluttered or dirty one. Use
the following guidelines to maintain an orderly laboratory:
1.
Laboratory benches and aisles should not be used as storage
areas, but should be cleared as each experiment or job is completed.
2.
Keep work areas clean and uncluttered with chemicals and
equipment. Clean up work areas upon completion of an operation or at the end of
each work day, including floors.
3.
Do not block exits, emergency equipment or controls or use
hallways and stairways as storage areas.
E- Handling
Chemicals:
1.
All chemicals in the laboratory are to be considered
dangerous. Avoid handling chemicals with fingers.
2.
Chemical containers with missing or defaced labels should
not be accepted. Check the label on all chemical bottles before removing any of
the contents. Take only as much chemicals as you need.
3.
Never return unused chemicals to their original container.
4.
Storage of chemicals on the lab bench or other work areas
shall be kept to a minimum.
5.
Substances of unknown toxicity shall be assumed to be
toxic.
6.
Do not point the mouth of a vessel being heated (tube)
towards any person, including yourself.
7.
Pour more concentrated solutions (acids) into less
concentrated
solutions (water) to avoid violent
reactions.
8.
Keep exposed skin covered. Shorts, skirts, or open-toed
shoes should not be worn in the laboratory.
9.
Always replace stoppers of reagent bottles immediately
after use and never dip a dirty spatula or rod into any reagent.
10.
Never return reagents to bottles unless specifically
instructed to do
11.
Always wear goggles or safety glasses with side shields
when handling compressed gases.
12.
Compressed gas cylinders must be secured in an upright
position at all times to prevent them from falling.
13.
Never use compressed gas from a cylinder without a
reduction of pressure through a suitable pressure regulator.
14.
Never place uncapped vessels of chemicals in a
refrigerator, on benches, or in hoods.
15.
Absolutely DO NOT dump things down the drain unless you
instructed to do so (Always ask your lab tech.).
16.
Always clean up spilled chemicals and water immediately. If
necessary the lab aid or technician will help you.
F- Glassware:
1.
Inspect glassware before use and discard damaged items. Do
not use broken, chipped, or badly scratched glassware.
2.
Use adequate hand protection when placing any tubing on
glass hose connections. Use plastic or metal clamps to secure the connection
where possible. Lubricate the tubing with soapy water or glycerin to facilitate
insertion.
3.
Do not immerse hot glassware in cold water. The glassware
may shatter.
4.
Do not pick up broken glass with bare hands; use gloves,
paper towel and sweep small pieces into a dust pan using a brush. Fine glass
particles may be picked up with wet paper toweling.
G- Electrical
Safety in the Laboratory:
Keep all equipment
far away from water. Do not run cord over a sink. Keep all equipment and hands
dry while handling electrical equipment
1.
Remove all metal or conductive jewelry when working with
electrical devices. If they make contact with a live wire, you may be included
in the circuit.
2.
Do not use direct flame (Bunsen burner) when heating flammable
and combustible liquids, use special heaters (Heating Mantle).
3.
Do not overload electrical outlets or extension cords. They
may overheat. If a cord feels warm, disconnect it and do not use it.
H- Emergency Procedures:
1.
If you get a chemical in your eye – wash it out
immediately. Use the eyewash fountain for at least 15 minutes.
2.
Report any accident (spill, breakage of glass, etc.) or
injury (cut, burn, etc.) to the lab instructor immediately.
3.
On hearing the fire alarm, turn off any heating equipment,
containers must be closed, and evacuate the building through the stairs and
according to the instructions of the building and floor wardens (never use the
elevators).
