Lab Safety: Everyone Is Responsible
Rules and Symbols
It denotes that before you do an experiment, demonstration, or activity:
•
YOU KNOW the hazards.
•
YOU KNOW the worst things that could happen.
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YOU KNOW what to do and how to do if they should happen.
•
YOU KNOW and use the prudent practices, protective facilities, and protective
equipment needed to minimize the risks.
WHY LAB SAFETY?
Protect yourself from laboratory hazards.
Protect others from laboratory hazards.
Comply with regulations
Ask Questions BEFORE you start
Plan safety into your experiment
Good lab practices
Hazard Communication – you must notify anyone who enters your area of risks
Reduce risks to acceptable levels.
Concern for others and the environment – we have an obligation to protect the public and
the environment
Risk Assessment
Risk assessments on lab procedures should be done before initiating them. They should answer
the following:
 What are the hazards?
 What might happen?
 How likely is it to happen?
 How serious are the consequences if it happens?
 What are the possible exposures?
 How can I mitigate exposure?
 What is the WORST that can happen?
“Good laboratory practices”
No eating, drinking, applying makeup, etc.
No mouth pipetting
Safety glasses worn
Lab coats stay in lab
Wash you hands
Safe handling of sharps
Decontaminate cultures and waste
Note the location and proper use of the following lab safety equipment:
Eyewash Station
Fire Safety Blanket
Fire Extinguisher
First Aid Kit
Wear safety goggles and, when needed, gloves while engaging in lab activities.
Proper dress for lab includes:
 Tying back long hair
 Removing dangling jewelry
 Rolling up long sleeves
 Securing baggy clothing
 Lab coat
 Keep hands away from eyes, mouth and body while using chemicals.
 Wash your hands with soap and water
after performing lab activities.
 NEVER touch, taste or smell
any chemicals.
Rules of good housekeeping
Never rinse anything down the sink without the permission of your teacher.
In fairness to others, clean all glassware, labware and equipment at the end of the lab.
Return all equipment and supplies to the proper storage area
Lab counters should be clear of all unnecessary materials (books, etc.) prior to beginning
of work.
Don’t touch any equipment with contaminated gloves.
All tubes, tips and anything with biomaterial on it must be disposed of in the labeled
biohazard" containers.
All aisles and walkways in the lab must be kept clear to provide a safe walking path and
an unobstructed exit. Keep lab floor dry at all times.
Do not block access to emergency equipment & utility controls.
Experiments must not be left unattended
Glassware
 Do not use chipped or broken glassware. Discard it properly.
 Glass and sharp objects must be disposed of in properly labeled containers to prevent
accidental cuts.
 Do not leave pipettes sticking out of bottles, flasks, or beakers.
 Do not attempt to remove stoppers on glass tubing by forcing.
 Decontaminate glassware exposed to infectious substances, by either autoclave or
chemical agent.
 Chemical bottles must be completely emptied, rinsed and have the labels crossed out
before disposal as general refuse.
 Heated glass and containers should be handled with special heat-resistant gloves.
Fume hoods
Use fume hoods for all procedures involving volatile organic solvents and high
concentration acids and bases.
Use for procedures resulting in release of dust.
Keep their sashes down
Don’t store flammables and equipments
TYPES OF HAZARDS
HEALTH
 Illnesses, diseases due to exposure to chemicals.
PHYSICAL
 Sudden events such as fire and explosions etc.
ROUTES OF EXPOSURES
ABSORPTION
INHALATION
DIGESTION
COMMON EXPOSURE POINTS
Eating
Restroom
Shoes
Laundry
Phone
Computer
SPECIFIC HEALTH HAZARDS
CARCINOGENS
 results in the development of cancer
TERAGENS
 hazards to developing fetuses
MUTAGENS
 genetic changes which could affect future generations of offspring
SENSITIZERS
 allergic reaction that gets worse with each exposure
CHEMICAL HAZARDS MAY HAVE
Acute effect
 generally characterized by a single, rather high exposure with rapid onset of
symptoms. (Carbon Monoxide).
Chronic long term
 typically result from repeated, low-level exposures over a long period of time
with slow onset of symptoms--Asbestos.
ACIDS
Picric Acid
Sulfuric Acid
 Strong dehydrating agent
Nitric Acid
 Strong oxidizing agent
Perchloric Acid
 powerful oxidizing agent
 reacts explosively with organic compounds
BASES
Most common are:
 Alkali metal hydroxides
 Aqueous solutions of ammonia
Caution is required when:
 Preparing concentrated solutions
 Can raise temperature to dangerous levels
OTHER TOXIC MATERIALS
All halogens are toxic
 Chlorine gas is toxic
Mercury
Cyanides
Nitrites
Formaldehyde
Many others…………….
ETHIDIUM BROMIDE
A potent mutagen that has been used for many years as a nucleic acid stain in DNA
research.
An irritant to the upper respiratory tract, eyes, and skin.
Even though there is no evidence at this time of human carcinogenicity or teratogenicity,
this material should be considered a possible carcinogen or teratogen.
ETHIDIUM BROMIDE SAFETY PROCEDURES
Wear lab coat, eye protection, and gloves.
Spills should be absorbed and decontaminated with soap and water.
UV light can be used to determine contamination areas.
Follow instructions for Ethidium Bromide disposal.