These are minimum safety requirements. Instructors may institute additional policies at their discretion.
1.
No open food or drink is permitted at any time, whether a lab is in progress or not. No eating, drinking, candy, cough drops, chewing gum or tobacco is permitted. All beverage and food containers must be put away in a backpack/bag/purse or left outside of the lab. There are shelves outside in the hallway to store food and beverages during lab. Never taste anything at all while in the lab rooms, unless it is a part of the lab activity (such as PTC paper). Also, do not apply cosmetics in lab (this includes lip balm).
2.
Visitors under 16 years of age and children are not allowed in the lab rooms at any time. Visitors over 16 may be allowed at the instructor’s discretion, as long as the lab activity does not involve hazardous materials.
3.
Know the locations of the eye wash and shower stations, fire alarm, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, and emergency exits. Do not block access to these with trash cans, recycle bins, etc.
4.
Safety instructions are given at the beginning of each lab period. Always arrive on time so that you know what you are supposed to do and are informed of any specific safety concerns or safety equipment associated with the day’s lab activity.
5.
Wear any required personal protective equipment (lab coat, apron, goggles, etc).
6.
Stash book bags safely so that they won’t trip people.
7.
Report all illnesses, injuries, breakages, or spills to your laboratory instructor immediately.
8.
Clean broken glass (glass that is not contaminated with any chemical reagents, blood, or bacteria) can be swept up using the dust pan and placed in the broken glass container. If the glass is contaminated in any way, keep the area clear to prevent tripping or laceration hazards, and consult your instructor for proper disposal guidance. A broken glass flow-chart is available in the lab to help you decide what to do.
9.
Notify your instructor if any of the equipment is faulty.
10.
Clean up your entire work area before leaving. Put away all equipment and supplies in their original places and dispose of reagents and infectious materials in the designated receptacles. Disinfect your work surface if the lab activity involved any infectious materials.
Otherwise, wipe the entire work surface down with a clean, wet paper towel (no soap).
11.
Use the appropriate waste containers provided for any infectious or hazardous materials used in lab.
12.
Safety information reagents used in the lab activities can be found in the Material Safety Data Sheets
(MSDS), which are available in a binder in the lab. Know the location of the MSDS binder. We (faculty and students) should be fully aware of the properties of the reagents we are using. Please use the MSDSs.
If you cannot find the MSDS for the reagent you are using in lab, inform your instructor. They are also relatively easy to find online. A Google keyword example is “Sodium Chloride MSDS.”
13.
Use caution with the lab chairs. Because they are on casters, they can roll away when you are standing at your workstation. Make sure your chair is where you expect it to be before sitting down. Do not use your chair as a means of moving from one part of the lab to the other.
14.
Wash your hands before leaving the lab room.
15.
If class is held at an alternate location (e.g. a field trip), you will be expected to conduct yourself appropriately and follow lab safety rules where applicable.
Revised 03-19-2012 ii