RULES, REGULATIONS AND SAFE LABORATORY TECHNIQUES

Michigan Technological University Department of Chemistry (Revised 08.29.2008)

  1. Eye protection (safety goggles which cover top, bottom and sides of eyes- visor goggles are preferred) must be worn at all times while anyone in the laboratory is working with chemicals unless the instructor states they are not required. The wearing of contact lenses is not recommended.
  2. No work is to be done in the laboratory without having a lab instructor or supervisor present.
  1. Report all accidents and /or injuries to your instructor or supervisor.
  2. Never carry out unauthorized, unplanned, or non-scheduled experiments. Discuss any unusual work with your instructor prior to doing it.
  3. Never eat, drink or taste anything (food or chemicals) while you are in the laboratory. Don't place pencils, pipets, etc. in your mouth. Food and beverage containers do not belong inside a lab!
  4. Shorts and miniskirts are not allowed. Wear closed shoes, not sandals, in the lab. Confine long hair and sleeves when working. Wearing a lab coat or apron is highly recommended.
  5. Wear appropriate gloves and protective clothing while working with hazardous materials.
  6. Always use a suction bulb (never use your mouth) when filling a pipet.
  7. Do not force glass tubing and/or thermometers into rubber stoppers - always lubricate the hole in the stopper with glycerin or water and protect your hand with a towel when inserting the glass.
  8. Never use an open flame (Bunsen burner) in the vicinity of flammables and never leave a lighted burner unattended.
  9. Clean up all spills immediately. If you are unsure about the proper procedure for clean-up or disposal, consult your instructor. Broken mercury thermometers require special clean-up; consult your instructor.
  10. Handle broken glass carefully; cuts from broken glass are a common injury in lab. Use a dustpan and broom for clean-up. Discard all broken glass in a glass disposal box.
  11. Do not test odors by direct inhalation from the container.
  12. In case of chemical contact with skin or eyes: wash affected area with water for 15 minutes. Use faucets, safety shower or eye wash, as appropriate. Remove contaminated clothing immediately.
  13. Wash hands before leaving lab.
  14. During the first day of lab: locate all emergency and safety equipment that you may need to use at some time. This includes: safety shower, eye wash, fire extinguisher. Locate the nearest emergency exit and emergency telephone.

 

OTHER SAFETY INFORMATION

  1. The "right to know" safety information for any chemical can be obtained by requesting a copy of the manufacturer's Material Safety and Data Sheet (MSDS) from Chem Stores, in Room B001, Chem. Sci.
  2. You are responsible for conducting yourself in a safe manner, becoming aware of and informed about special hazards of technique, apparatus or chemicals in the chemical laboratory.
  3. Conform to all safety instructions presented orally or in writing by the instructor or contained in posted instructions or safety memoranda that are distributed.
  4. Read the preceding departmental chemical safety rules and regulations, observe them and work safely in the lab.
  5. Keep the safety rules and regulations sheet in your laboratory notebook for handy reference.
  6. Signing of the Laboratory Worker Safety Agreement is not a waiver of individual rights of redress in case of injury.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

 

1. Telephone 123 for fire, ambulance, medical assistance or police.

2. Occupational Safety & Health Services: 2118

3. Department Office: 2048