The following comments on the general rules as listed may help to clarify any questions which arise. Please inquire of your instructor if there are further questions.
1. Working without supervision is forbidden.
A student should never stay in the laboratory alone or work without an instructor present.
2. Performing unauthorized experiments or any experiment at unauthorized times is forbidden.
Unanticipated results to an unauthorized or altered experiment can be quite hazardous. Materials should never be taken from the laboratory. Horseplay and pranks are never acceptable in the laboratory.
3. Approved safety eye wear must be worn at all times. Consult your instructor about the policy for wearing contact lenses in your laboratory.
Certain solvents in use during some experiments can have adverse effects on soft contacts and students should take appropriate precautions following those labs.
4. Loose hair and clothing must be restrained.
Long hair and loose clothing that can get caught on glassware or otherwise be a hazard in lab should be pulled back.
5. Appropriate attire must be worn in lab, including shoes which cover the entire foot, and clothing which covers the legs and torso.
Clothing items such as halter and midriff tops, as well as shorts, skirts and capri pants, are inappropriate for laboratory work, as are sandals and flip-flops. Clothing worn should be capable of providing a barrier between your skin and the chemicals you are working with. Coverage of the lower legs and feet are necessary in case of dropped glassware.
6. Eating, drinking, smoking, chewing tobacco and applying cosmetics are forbidden in the laboratory.
These activities should take place only outside the laboratory doors.
7. All accidents and breakage must be reported to an instructor.
Any accident requires attention to clean up. Alert your neighbors immediately if there is a spill as to its nature and extent before you leave the area.
8. Pipetting by mouth suction is forbidden.
Pipet bulbs and/or dial-up pipetters will be provided when necessary.
9. When needed, gloves must be worn.
Gloves should be of a material and thickness appropriate for the reagents being used. However, gloves provide only a temporary layer of protection against chemicals on your skin and may be permeable to some chemical reagents, without visible deterioration. If your gloves come in contact with a chemical reagent, remove them, wash your hands, and get a new pair immediately. Hands must be washed just before leaving the laboratory.
10. All laboratory workers must know the location and proper use of all laboratory safety equipment, including eyewash, safety shower, fire extinguishers, and telephone.
Your instructor will show you the location of and proper use of laboratory safety equipment.
11. All laboratory workers must know how to safely evacuate the laboratory in the event of an emergency.
You should note all possible exits from your laboratory. Emergency classroom evacuation requires that the class reassemble away from the building to call roll and check for complete evacuation. Check with your instructor to confirm where the class should reassemble.
ADDITIONAL SAFETY NOTES
The following items were not covered in the general safety rules detailed above, but should be noted in connection with general chemistry laboratories.
1. Items such as book bags, backpacks, purses and coats should be put out of the way off the floor and lab bench.
2. Cell phones should be turned off before entering the laboratory.
3. Read labels and dispose of any waste in an appropriate waste container. Ask questions if you are not sure what to do.
4. Clean up in the laboratory is essential. Make sure you wash and put away all equipment before you leave the laboratory.
6. Inform your instructor at the beginning of the term if you have any special medical conditions that may need attention during the laboratory, such as known allergies or seizures.