Safety

1. Unless prior arrangements have been made with a faculty member, students should not work in the laboratory alone.
2. Wear appropriate shoes and clothing in the laboratory at all times. You must wear shoes.
3. Do not eat or drink in the laboratory at any time.
4. Wear a lab coat, goggles, and gloves when appropriate.
5. If you have long hair, pull it back to avoid interfering with laboratory work - e.g., avoid setting hair on fire with the flame from a Bunsen burner.
6. Familiarize yourself with the location of the fire extinguisher and safety exit in each laboratory. A safety blanket and safety shower are located in the stockroom.
7. Report to your laboratory instructor or a teaching assistant if you have an accident or if you observe another student who has had an accident or who needs assistance.
8. Be very careful when you are using a sharp object such as a scalpel or a razor.
9. When pipetting, a mechanical pipetting device should always be used.
10. If chemicals are spilled,
a. the portions of your body or clothing that have been in contact with chemicals should be flushed thoroughly with water. Use the safety shower in the stockroom if the damage is extensive. If anything has gotten into your eyes, be sure to use the eyewash in the stockroom.
b. work with the instructor or the teaching assistant and the Chemical Hygiene Officer to clean up spills on the bench or the floor.
c. the instructor should fill out appropriate safety reports in consultation with the Chemical Hygiene Officer.
11. In case of fire:
a. If clothing is burning- STOP, DROP and ROLL. Have someone get the fire blanket in the stockroom and wrap it around you or walk slowly to the safety shower in the stockroom and pull on the ring.
b. A fire on the lab bench or the floor may be put out with a fire extinguisher. Call for help from your instructor or teaching assistant.
12. Wash minor cuts or burns with cold water and get band-aids or burn ointment from your instructor or teaching assistant.
13. Be sure to consult with your instructor regarding where to dispose of chemicals, biohazardous wastes, sharp objects, recyclables, etc.
14. Clean the lab bench where you have worked at the end of each laboratory period.
15. Wash your hands after completing a lab.