Lab Safety Protocol: Please read the entire document. At the conclusion you will find two links.
The first will take you to a mandatory
Biology Laboratory Safety Procedures
All students must read and understand the information in this document with regard to laboratory safety and emergency procedures prior to the first laboratory session.
Your personal laboratory safety depends mostly on YOU. Effort has been made to address situations that may pose a hazard in the lab but the information and instructions provided cannot be considered all-inclusive.
Students must adhere to written and verbal safety instructions throughout the academic term. Since additional instructions may be given at the beginning of laboratory sessions, it is important that all students arrive at each session on time.
With good judgment, the chance of an accident in this course is very small. Nevertheless, research and teaching labs are full of potential hazards that can cause serious injury and or damage to the equipment.
Good common sense is needed for safety in a laboratory. It is expected that each student will work in a responsible manner and exercise good judgment and common sense.
If at any time you are not sure how to handle a particular situation, ask your Teaching Assistant or Instructor for advice.
DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING WITH WHICH YOU ARE NOT COMPLETELY FAMILIAR
!!!It is always better to ask questions than to risk harm to yourself or damage to the equipment.
Personal and General laboratory safety
1. Never eat, drink, or smoke while working in the laboratory.
2. Read labels carefully.
3. Do not use any equipment unless you are trained and approved as a user by your instructor.
4. Wear safety glasses or face shields when working with hazardous materials and/or equipment.
5. Wear gloves when using any hazardous or toxic agent.
6. Clothing: When handling dangerous substances, wear gloves, laboratory coats, and safety shield or glasses.
7. If you have long hair or loose clothes, make sure it is tied back or confined.
8. Keep the work area clear of all materials except those needed for your work.
9. Coats should be hung on the east/north wall.
10. Extra books, purses, etc. will be stowed below coats on the floor of the east wall to keep all isles and walkways free of obstruction.
11. Disposal - Students are responsible for the proper disposal of used material if any in appropriate containers.
12. Equipment Failure - If a piece of equipment fails while being used, report it immediately to your lab instructor of TA. Never try to fix the problem yourself because you could harm yourself and others.
13. Clean up your work area before leaving. Points can and will be deducted for flagrant disregard of lab maintenance.
14. Wash hands before leaving the lab or elsewhere before eating.
15. DO NOT wear any clothing that you will regret getting dirty or possibly permanently damaged or stained to lab.
1. Treat every chemical as if it were hazardous.
2. Make sure all chemicals are clearly and currently labeled with the substance name, if you find any substance in the lab not labeled, notify the lab instructor immediately.
3. Never return chemicals to reagent bottles. If excess can not be used, dispose of it in a properly designated manner.
4. Comply with fire regulations concerning storage quantities, types of approved containers and cabinets, proper labeling, etc. If uncertain about regulations, contact the building coordinator.
5. Use volatile and flammable compounds only in a fume hood. Procedures that produce aerosols should be performed in a hood to prevent inhalation of hazardous material.
6. Never allow a solvent to come in contact with your skin. Use gloves when needed.
7. Never TASTE anything!
8. Never "smell" a solvent!! Read the label on the solvent bottle to identify its contents.
9. Dispose of all chemical waste in proper containers. Never pour anything down the sink without first obtaining clearance.
10. Inform the instructor of, and clean up spills immediately.
11. Do not bring food into the laboratory.
Additional Safety Guidelines
Never do unauthorized experiments.
Never work alone in laboratory.
Keep your lab space clean and organized.
Do not leave an on-going experiment unattended.
Always inform your instructor if you break any glass. Do not clean it up yourself!!
Never use open flames in laboratory unless instructed by TA.
Check your glassware for cracks and chips each time you use it. Cracks could cause the glassware to fail during use and cause serious injury to you or lab mates.
Maintain unobstructed access to all exits, fire extinguishers, electrical panels, emergency showers, and eye washes.
A reminder: Clean your lab bench and area and equipment before leaving. Points can and will be deducted for flagrant disregard of lab maintenance.Emergency Response
1. It is your responsibility to read safety and fire alarm posters and follow the instructions during an emergency.
2. Know the location of the fire extinguisher, eye wash, and safety shower in your lab and know how to use them.
3. Notify your instructor immediately after any injury, fire, explosion, spill or breakage.
4. Know the building evacuation procedures (see attached).
Click HERE to go to the Lab Safety Quiz