Laboratory Safety Rules

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).