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Working safely is important in all laboratory settings. There are hazardous materials in laboratories and you need to protect yourself from injury. You also need to work in a way that protects your fellow workers and the environment outside the laboratory.
Your signature below indicates that you understand the rules below and pledge to observe them.
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- Leave coats, extra books, and personal items in your locker. Avoid tripping over these items and taking pathogenic, toxic, radioactive, and other hazardous materials home to your families.
- Prepare for every laboratory exercise before you come to the laboratory.
- Do not eat, drink, smoke, chew gum, or apply cosmetics in the laboratory. Never use a laboratory microwave, laboratory, or freezer for food. Never eat or drink from laboratory glassware.
- Dispose of biological materials in the special receptacles for biological hazards. Do not throw other materials into these bags.
Some waste is autoclaved. Place only biohazardous waste in these receptacles.
- Dispose of glass and other sharp materials in the "sharps" disposal boxes. Do not throw materials other than "sharps" into the "sharps" receptacles. Never use cracked or broken glassware.
- Be sure you know where to dispose of hazardous chemicals. Do not wash solvents or hazardous materials down the drains. Do not combine chemicals for disposal unless you know they are not reactive with one another.
- Wear proper attire. Always wear safety glasses or other eye protection. Wear closed-toe shoes, long pants, and a laboratory coat. Shorts are always a poor idea and dresses and skirts should be avoided. Sometimes gloves are also required. Tie back long hair.
- If eyes come in contact with hazardous materials, rinse them for 15 minutes and notify a teacher. A second person should assist the injured person immediately.
- Be very careful with Bunsen burners. Do not leave a burner lit unless you are standing next to it because someone else might be injured if they do not realize it is lit.
- Wash your hands before leaving the laboratory, even if you wore gloves.
- Locate eyewash stations, fire extinguishers, and safety showers.
- Never mouth pipette. This technique is very dangerous and has resulted in illness and death. If you used this method in the past, learn to use pipetting aids.
- Be familiar with MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets). There is an MSDS for every chemical used in the laboratory. These documents are valuable sources of information regarding hazards of a given chemical. Know where they are located.
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS.
Every chemical used in the lab should have an MSDS. Know where they are kept.
- Never work alone. As a student you need a staff person available. Later, make sure there is another laboratory worker around whenever you are working.
- Use chemical and biological hoods, as required. Use a chemical fume hood for volatile and hazardous chemicals. Use a biological safety cabinet for particulate and biological hazards.
- Do not wear headphones in the laboratory.
NOTE: Consult a physician if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or have any other medical condition that might render you susceptible to exposure to the chemicals used in this laboratory.
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I have read and understand the above Laboratory Safety Rules and will cooperate fully.
Name: (Please print legibly) ___________________________________________
Date: ____________
Course: ______________
Signature: _______________________________________
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