• Plan Your Work
  • Inspect equipment or apparatus for damage before adding chemicals.
  • Inspect electrical equipment and cords for frayed wiring or damage before using.
  • Do not use damaged equipment. Notify your instructor.
• Know What You’re Working With
  • Always know the hazards and physical and chemical properties of the materials used
    (e.g., corrosivity, flammability, reactivity, and toxicity).
  • Read the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for information on the chemicals you’re working with.
• Follow All Safety Procedures
  • Always wear chemical splash goggles for eye protection in chemical work, handling and storage areas.
  • When pouring large quantities of chemicals, in addition to goggles, wear a face shield large
    enough to protect your ears and neck as well as your face.
  • Always wear gloves when handling chemicals. Latex gloves are not compatible with all chemicals.
    Nitrile gloves offer better protection.
  • Always wear appropriate clothing: chemically resistant lab coats or aprons are recommended.
  • Do not wear shorts, cutoffs, or miniskirts. Do not wear high-heeled shoes, open-toed shoes,
    sandals or shoes made of woven materials.
  • Never perform any work when alone in the laboratory. At least two people must be present.
    Undergraduate students must be supervised by an instructor at all times.
  • Always use chemicals with adequate ventilation or in a chemical fume hood.
  • Use chemicals only as directed and for their intended purpose.
  • Never use mouth suction to fill a pipette. Use a pipette bulb or another pipette filling device.
  • Do not dispose of chemicals down the drain. Most chemicals must be disposed of as "hazardous waste".
  • Electrically ground and bond containers when transferring or dispensing a flammable liquid.
  • Compressed gas cylinders must be secured to prevent them from being knocked over.
• Practice Good Housekeeping and Personal Hygiene
  • Avoid direct contact with any chemical.
  • Never smell, inhale or taste laboratory chemicals.
  • Confine long hair and loose clothing.
  • Always wash hands and arms with soap and water before leaving the work area.
    This applies even if you have been wearing gloves.
  • Never eat, drink, chew gum or tobacco, smoke or apply cosmetics in the laboratory.
  • Do not pick up broken glass with your hands. Use tongs or other mechanical means.
• Report Dangerous Activities or Situations
  • Report all accidents, no matter how minor, to your instructor.
  • Never perform unauthorized work, preparations or experiments.
  • Never engage in horseplay, pranks or other acts of mischief in laboratories.
  • Never remove chemicals from the facility without proper authorization.
• Know Emergency Procedures
  • Know where the emergency eyewash and showers are, and how to use them.
  • Know at least two exits from the laboratory in case of an emergency.
  • In the event of an emergency, pull the nearest "PULL BOX", evacuate the area, and close all doors.

Contact the Department of Environmental Health and Safety at 2-6410 for more information.

08/26/98 Author Unknown, provided by EHS.

Go back to the JQ's home page.

NOTICE: INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THIS SERVER RELATING TO GOODS AND SERVICES OFFERED BY THIRD PARTIES IS PROVIDED SOLELY FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES AND IS NOT INTENDED AS AN ENDORSEMENT OR EXPRESSION OF SUPPORT BY USB OR ITS AGENTS AND EMPLOYEES. NEITHER USB NOR THE STATE OF NEW YORK ASSUMES ANY LIABILITY FOR THE ACTS OR OMISSIONS OF SUCH THIRD PARTIES IN THE PROVISION OF THOSE GOODS AND SERVICES. Finally, don't believe everything that you read.

JQ