Office of Security, Safety and Risk Management
General Safety Guidelines for Laboratory Work
- Were appropriate eye protection at all times.
- Do not work alone while doing laboratory work that may be hazardous.
- Do not smoke in laboratories.
- Do not eat in the laboratory. Never store food in a chemical refrigerator or chemicals in a food refrigerator.
- Do not use mouth suction for pipetting or for starting a siphon.
- Perform
all experiments that involve toxic, volatile, or malodorous materials
in the hood or in an enclosed container such as a vacuum system of
glove box.
- Be familiar with the hazardous properties of the chemicals you will use. Read the MSDSs for the reagents you will be using.
- Wear protective clothing and gloves that are not permeable to the chemicals being used. Confine long hair.
- Do not operate equipment unless you have been instructed in its proper use.
- Keep the laboratory free of clutter. Never store chemicals on the floor. Leave bookbags and coats in the hallway.
- Dispose of chemical waste properly, no matter how small the quantity.
- Make sure that you know the location of all safety equipment before beginning laboratory work.
- Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after working with hazardous materials.
- Protect
your laboratory and laboratories and offices on floors below from
floods. Never plug a sink and leave water running unattended.
- Secure all compressed gas cylinders to walls or benches.
