General Laboratory Safety Rules

A standard list of basic laboratory safety rules are given below, and must be followed in every
laboratory that uses hazardous materials or processes. These basic rules provide behavior, hygiene,
and safety information to avoid accidents in the laboratory.  Laboratory specific safety rules may be
required for specific processes, equipment, and materials, which should be addressed by laboratory
specific SOPs.
Basic Safety Rules
Basic safety rules for laboratory conduct should be observed whenever working in a laboratory.
Many of the most common safety rules are listed below.

 Know locations of laboratory safety showers, eyewash stations, and fire extinguishers. The
safety equipment may be located in the hallway near the laboratory entrance.
 Know emergency exit routes.
 Avoid skin and eye contact with all chemicals.
 Minimize all chemical exposures.
 No horseplay will be tolerated.
 Assume that all chemicals of unknown toxicity are highly toxic.
 Post warning signs when unusual hazards, hazardous materials, hazardous equipment, or
other special conditions are present.
 Avoid distracting or startling persons working in the laboratory.
 Use equipment only for its designated purpose.
 Combine reagents in their appropriate order, such as adding acid to water.
 Avoid adding solids to hot liquids.
 All laboratory personnel should place emphasis on safety and chemical hygiene at all times.
 Never leave containers of chemicals open.
 All containers must have appropriate labels. Unlabeled chemicals should never be used.
 Do not taste or intentionally sniff chemicals.
 Never consume and/or store food or beverages or apply cosmetics in areas where
hazardous chemicals are used or stored.
 Do not use mouth suction for pipetting or starting a siphon.
 Wash exposed areas of the skin prior to leaving the laboratory.
 Long hair and loose clothing must be pulled back and secured from entanglement or
potential capture.
 No contact lenses should be worn around hazardous chemicals – even when wearing safety
glasses.
 Laboratory safety glasses or goggles should be worn in any area where chemicals are used
or stored. They should also be worn any time there is a chance of splashes or particulates to
enter the eye. Closed toe shoes will be worn at all times in the laboratory. Perforated shoes
or sandals are not appropriate.
 Determine the potential hazards and appropriate safety precautions before beginning any
work.
 Procedures should be developed that minimize the formation and dispersion of aerosols.
 If an unknown chemical is produced in the laboratory, the material should be considered
hazardous.
 Do not pour chemicals down drains. Do NOT utilize the sewer for chemical waste disposal.
 Keep all sink traps (including cup sink traps and floor drains) filled with water by running
water down the drain at least monthly.
 Do not utilize fume hoods for evaporations and disposal of volatile solvents.
  Perform work with hazardous chemicalsin a properly working fume hoodto reduce potential
exposures.
 Avoid working alone in a building. Do not work alone in a laboratory if the procedures being
conducted are hazardous.
 The PEL and the Threshold Limit Values (TLV) will be observed in all areas. If exposure
above a PEL/TLV is suspected for an ongoing process, please contact EHS immediately.
 Laboratory employees should have access to a chemical inventory list, applicable SDSs,
Department Laboratory Safety Manual, and relevant SOPs.
 Access to laboratories and support areas such as stockrooms, specialized laboratories, etc.
should be limited to approved personnel only.
 All equipment should be regularly inspected for wear or deterioration.
 Equipment should be maintained according to the manufacturer’s requirements and records
of certification, maintenance, or repairs should be maintained for the life of the equipment.
 Designated and well-marked waste storage locations are necessary.
 No cell phone or ear phone usage in the active portion of the laboratories, or during
experimental operations.
 Clothing made of synthetic fibers should not be worn while working with flammable liquids or
when a fire hazard is present as these materials tend to melt and stick to exposed skin.
 Laboratory coats should not be stored in offices or break rooms as this spreads
contaminates to other areas.
 Computers and instrumentation should be labeled to indicate whether gloves should be worn
or not. Inconsistent glove use around keyboards/keypads is a source of potential
contamination.
 Avoid wearing jewelry in the lab as this can pose multiple safety hazards.

Laboratory Specific Safety Rules

Safety rules for laboratory specific operations will be provided in appropriate laboratory SOPs.

https://ehs.okstate.edu/general-laboratory-safety-rules.html
Laboratory Safety Rules and Regulations
SAFETY RULES
A: Eye Protection
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations (29CFR1910.133) require that all persons in
a chemical laboratory must wear suitable eye-protection at all times while in that laboratory. These eye-protective
devices shall be furnished free of charge to the student and are, by law, not transferable.During the first laboratory
period you will be issued one pair of chemical splash goggles. These must be returned in good condition upon
completing or dropping the course. These devices must be worn at all times in the laboratory. Anyone with a severe
eye condition that requires other protection may wear individual eye protection that has been certified in writing by an
optician (or equivalent) to meet all pertinent OSHA regulations.Contact lenses are never recommended and by
themselves do not constitute appropriate eye protection. Students that choose to wear contact lenses will be asked to
sign a waiver form releasing NCSU from liability in the event of damages as a result of wearing contact lenses in the
laboratory.

B: Clothing and Personal Items

Shoes must be worn during the entire time that you are in the laboratory to protect you from splashes of
chemicals, broken glass, and other hazards that may occur in the lab. The shoes must cover your feet without
gaps such as open toes. Sandals, thongs and similar footwear are never permitted in the lab.Students are urged to
dress with potential lab hazards in mind. It is never a good idea to wear expensive clothing in the lab due to the
chances of spills. Clothing should be worn that protects as much of the body as possible.

Shorts (regardless of length), short skirts, sleeveless shirts, tank tops, and halter tops are not considered
safe attire and are not permitted.
Clothing may have to be removed immediately if ignited or grossly contaminated with chemicals during an
experiment.Laboratory aprons or lab coats may be worn to provide extra protection from accidents and spills. Lab
coats and aprons may be purchased at the NCSU Bookstore. Loose fitting clothes, easily combustible clothes, and
long, unrestrained hair are all fire and accident hazards, and are not appropriate in the laboratory.Since hearing is
important for learning and to avoid accidents, radios or mp3 players may not be used in the lab.

C: Handling Chemicals

1 Treat all chemicals in the lab as toxic substances. Keep them off your skin and clothes.

2 Due to danger of chemicals entering the mouth or lungs: smoking, drinking and eating are forbidden in the

laboratory.
3 Many chemicals are thought to pose special risks to unborn children, especially during the first few months

of pregnancy. To minimize this risk, consult the Laboratory Director for alternatives to lab, if you are

pregnant.
4 Do not taste anything in the laboratory. This applies to food as well as to chemicals.

5 Do not place your mouth on any chemical equipment.

6 Keep your hands and face clean. Flush any spill on your body with cold water for at least 15 minutes. Wash

your hands with soap and warm water before leaving the laboratory.

7 Avoid inhalation of fumes of any kind. To test an odor, fill your lungs with air and cautiously sniff the vapors

as you waft (fan) them from the source. Never inhale fumes directly from a chemical substance. All odorous
 and/or fuming chemicals must be kept in the dispensing hood. Any reaction that emits a fume must be

carefully set-up to trap the fumes, or to direct them into the bench-top hoods.
8 Never leave excess or spilled chemicals on equipment (in particular, the handling surface of glassware);

wipe clean with a damp towel immediately and dry immediately with another towel.
9 Avoid violent splattering by always pouring concentrated solutions (e.g., acids) slowly INTO water or less

concentrated solutions while stirring. Never the reverse.

10 Do not point the mouth of a reaction vessel containing chemicals toward yourself or toward anyone else.
11 Never leave any reaction unattended.
12 Most organic substances are flammable. Sparks, flames or other ignition sources should be kept out of the
laboratory. Heat organics in a sand or water bath, or use an aluminum heating block.
13 For additional information on the properties of laboratory chemicals, consult the Material Safety Data Sheet
(MSDS) file, the Aldrich catalog or the Laboratory Safety Plan (Chemical Hygiene Plan), all of which are

available during laboratory hours in the Stockroom.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
Immediately alert your instructor to ANY accident or fire.

A: Fire
In the event that your hair or clothing catches fire — DO NOT RUN. This will fuel the fire. STOP - DROP - ROLL to
smother the fire. Help to smother any fire on a co-worker with your apron or lab coat, or with your own body. If a fire
begins and is confined in an open container such as a beaker, it can usually be extinguished simply by covering the
top of the beaker to remove the source of oxygen. Be careful to avoid spreading a confined fire by blasting it with a
fire extinguisher. It is usually best to have the TA operate a fire extinguisher if one is needed at all. Much damage can
be done by the improper use of a fire extinguisher.

B: Evacuation
Whenever a Fire Alarm sounds, turn off water and electrical devices at your lab station, collect your purse and/or
calculator and exit the building by the stairwell closest to your lab. NOT RUN.

Avoid inhaling smoke from a chemical fire. Assemble in front of the FOX building. Your teaching assistant will check
the student roster to be sure everyone is safe. Do not leave the area until your TA has checked your name on the
roster. Return to the building ONLY after a security officer gives clearance.

C: Injury
Be familiar with the location and operation of the eye wash fountains and safety showers. Any chemical splash into
the eye should be flushed for a full 15 minutes using the nearest eye wash. First aid supplies are available in the
Stockroom. Slight wounds or burns may be treated there. Report all burns, cuts, or other injuries to your instructor.

HOUSEKEEPING
General
1. Stay in your assigned section during the laboratory period. Do not sit in the aisles or on the benches.
2. Do not perform any lab work until you have been briefed.
3. All unauthorized experiments are expressly forbidden.
4. Do not enter instructor stations or the Stockroom unless asked to do so by the staff.
 5. Do not move or try to repair instruments. Report malfunctioning equipment to your instructor at once.
6. Clearly label your safety glasses or goggles with your name.

Laboratory Work Area

In the laboratory each student has the use of and the responsibility for drawers containing itemized equipment. The
student may share the use of a bench top and a sink. These latter areas consist of a center shelf, gas outlets, a fume
exhaust hood, water taps (undistilled water), and a computer.

1. Drawer and Bench Top

Maintain general order and cleanliness in all parts of these areas. This is essential. Your observation of these rules
will be evaluated in lab grading. Clean up any spills IMMEDIATELY. Equipment must be kept clean, intact, and in the
amounts indicated on the equipment sheet.Keep your bench top uncluttered. Coats, book bags, umbrellas, etc.
should be kept only in designated areas, not at your lab bench.Nothing should be present except authorized
equipment and chemicals, and writing materials. Keep materials not in use well away from the work area and the
edge of the bench. Objects that may roll (e.g., a thermometer) should be carefully placed in a drawer and not allowed
to remain on the bench top.

2. Sinks, Gas Outlets, Hoods

Each sink has a tap for undistilled hot and cold water plus a tap providing a connection for suction tubing attached
to an aspirator trap. A small exhaust hood is located over each sink. Do not attempt to adjust it. Place any sample
emitting vapors directly under the hood to get optimum vapor trapping.

 Do not allow trash to accumulate in the sink.

 Discard glass only in containers marked "BROKEN GLASS".
 Do not leave rubber tubing attached to taps after experimental work is completed for the period.
 A detergent soap bottle should be located behind the water taps.
 Never hold glassware under the faucet nozzle while turning the tap ON or OFF. Water pressure may
splatter chemicals or force the vessel from your grasp.
 Always check gas valves upon entering the lab and before leaving.

Instrument room
 The instrument room is a community area. Items located in the instrument room area include: Balances, Mel-Temps,
weighing paper, and electronic equipment.

1. General

 Instrument room housekeeping is as important as at individual bench top areas. Your work will be
observed and evaluated at both locations. Leaving spilled chemicals on container surfaces or on the
floor creates a hazard to all that work in the area after you.

CLEAN UP ALL SPILLS

 Remember that traffic is often congested in this area; safe movements, orderliness, and cleanliness
are critically important.

2. Reagent Use

 NEVER remove any chemical from the laboratory.

 Do not alter the laboratory set-up. Ask your instructor if you think something is missing or out of place.
  Know the name of, and hazards presented by, any chemical involved in an experiment BEFORE you use it.
Consult the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).Know the amount of reagent you wish to obtain before you
go to the hood. Avoid taking amounts greater than called for by your manual and/or instructor.
 Please be careful to avoid contaminating reagents for others and for your later use.
 To obtain a bulk (i.e., more than a few mL) liquid reagent, pour the reagent into a beaker from the bulk
container. NEVER pour a bulk liquid directly from the bottle into a graduated cylinder.
 Remove solids by shaking desired quantities from the bottle onto weighing paper. Use a clean spatula or
spoon inside reagent bottles ONLY if solids will not shake freely from the bottle.
 NEVER return excess reagents to the containers. Check the needs of others before discarding excesses in
the proper waste container.
 Hold stoppers and droppers while using a container. Do not put stoppers on bench or plastic surfaces.
 Replace stoppers, lids, and droppers immediately after use to prevent contamination of reagents.
 Do not use reagent containers without labels or with improper labels. Report these situations to your
instructor.
 Always check sides of reagent containers for drips before and after use. Remove excess chemicals with a
damp towel and then wipe dry.

3. Reagent Disposal

 NEVER discard chemicals in sinks, or trash receptacles.

 Place all organic wastes or other hazardous wastes in the properly designated containers in the Main Hood.

 DO NOT MIX WASTES. Be sure to keep chlorinated and non-chlorinated liquid waste separate.
4. Equipment handling
 When glass is broken, contact your instructor immediately. He/she will determine if a repair is possible.
Receptacles under sinks are for paper and miscellaneous trash items. Glass should only be discarded in
containers marked "BROKEN GLASS".
 To minimize wear on the Lab Jack, never open or close it all the way.
 Before elevating or lowering the Lab Jack, be sure the hot plate electrical cord is in a safe position. Do not
catch the electrical cord in the Jack mechanism.
 At the end of every experiment, unplug hot plates and turn both dials to the OFF position.

5. Analytical Balances
 Instructions for use of these items are available in lab and must be followed carefully.
 NEVER allow chemicals to contact a balance pan. Always use weighing papers on the balance pan when
another container is not used for weighing solids.
 Be particularly careful when weighing liquids on balances.
 All spills must be immediately and thoroughly cleaned.
 Do not attempt adjustments not specifically described in the posted instructions. Report any irregularities to
your instructor at once.
 Use the same balance throughout any experiment to minimize weighing errors due to small variations in
balances.

HAZARDS AND FIRES

The Organic Chemistry Laboratory is a "High Hazard" area. However, with proper attention to details and by
following the "Safety Tips" given in lecture, lab briefings, and with most of the experiments in this book, this
experience can be a totally safe and interesting one. We have made a concerted effort to eliminate the use of
unusually toxic compounds. However, we will use a few compounds that are known to be, or which are suspected
 to be, quite toxic. This is inevitable if we are to give you a realistic experience with a wide variety of compounds.
We will provide a special warning in these instances, and your TA will provide ideas on how to minimize the risk of
handling them. You will notice that we never suggest that you touch, taste, or inhale any compound
in any experiment. We will also attempt to use the smallest quantities possible, and to keep these well contained.
Please cooperate by following directions closely, taking only what you need from the supply containers, and by
carefully disposing of waste according to directions from your instructor. Material Safety Data Sheets ("MSDS") for
most compounds used in this course are available for inspection and use in the Stockroom and on the Internet.
Each sheet describes the physical and chemical properties, as well as the hazards, of a particular chemical. Be
sure you know how to locate the MSDS file in the Stockroom. If you have any safety-related questions, be sure to
ask your instructor for the answers. The time to inquire is NOW, before an emergency develops. Useful Internet
Sites for Safety, MSDS, as well as other aspects of Organic Chemistry:

 http://www.ncsu.edu/ncsu/ehs/
 http://www.chemfinder.com
 http://www.virginia.edu/~enhealth/guide.html

Fires in the Laboratory

One of the most feared accidents in any lab is a fire. However, fires are quite rare, and not a cause for undue
concern. We have done everything possible to minimize the chances for a fire by drastically reducing quantities of
flammable materials, and eliminating most potential sources of ignition (sparks and flames). For your information the
following material is provided, just in case a fire does happen to break out.While any fire is serious, it is important to
react in a manner that is appropriate for the scale of the fire. Remember that your safety is of primary importance.
Never attempt to fight a fire if you fear that you will be unable to escape the laboratory. Your teaching assistant is
trained to use the fire extinguishers. Rely on your TA for guidance. Take very good notes when your TA briefs you on
laboratory safety.

Requirements for a Fire

All fires require three items:

 —FUEL,
o —OXYGEN, and
 —ENERGY, (a source of ignition)
Without all three of these, there can be no fire. Likewise, if a fire has started, removing the fuel or the oxygen will
extinguish the fire.

Classes of Fires

 •
Class A 

− 

 Ordinary Combustibles such as wood, cloth, paper, rubber, plastics and similar materials that burn easily

 •
Class B 

− 
 Flammable Liquids such as most of the solvents used in this lab, gasoline, oil based paints, lacquer and flammable
gases

 •
Class C 

− 

 Electrical Equipment such as computers, instruments, motors, fuse boxes, and other energized electrical equipment

 •
Class D 

− 

 Combustible Metals and metal dusts such as sodium, lithium, potassium, magnesium, titanium, and zirconium

Each class of fire requires a special type of extinguisher. For example, water may serve well for Class A, but it is not
very effective for Class B, and it is definitely not acceptable for Class C or Class D. In these latter cases, water would
cause much greater problems than the fire itself.

Fire Extinguishers
For a small fire, a portable fire extinguisher is a very valuable piece of equipment. However, there are several things
that must be clearly understood before you even consider using one.There are several types of extinguishers for
different types of fires. You may cause an even greater problem by using the wrong type of extinguisher.k the label
on the extinguisher before using it.

Many extinguishers are designed for several classes of fires. A common multi-purpose extinguisher may be effective
for Class A, B and C fires. Check the label. It is uncommon to find an extinguisher that is also approved for Class D
fires. If this class of fire is possible in your area, for example if you are working with or storing considerable amounts
of sodium metal or of magnesium powder or turnings, insist that a Class D extinguisher be available.Also, fire
extinguishers require regular inspection. Check the tags on the extinguishers in the lab to verify that they have been
inspected within the past twelve months. If they are overdue for inspection, notify your instructor at once. Also, notice
that the extinguisher is usually mounted out in the hallway. This is to insure that you are at an escape
route before you consider fighting the fire. Also, keep the Exit to your back as you fight the fire. In case the fire
appears to get out of control, leave at once. Close the door behind you to help contain the fire, and notify your TA or
the Stockroom personnel.

Fighting the Fire

Fight a fire ONLY if ALL of the following are TRUE

 •
Everyone has left, or is leaving the lab.

 •
Public Safety has been called (911).

 •
The fire is very small and confined. (If the fire is in a beaker or a wastebasket, try to smother it by covering the
container. Often, this works quite well and does not require the use of a Fire Extinguisher.)

 •
You have a way out and you can fight the fire with your back to the Exit.
  •
The extinguisher is rated for the class of fire you are fighting.

 •
You can stay close to the floor to avoid breathing too much of the smoke.

 •
You have had training and you feel confident in the use of the extinguisher, or no other escape alternative is
available to you.

When you're ready to use the extinguisher —

What do you do? The key word to operating a fire extinguisher is PASS. This acronym is a good way to remember
exactly what to do.

 PULL the pin. Point the nozzle away from you and release the locking mechanism.
 AIM low. Hold the extinguisher upright. Aim at the base of the flame. You should be 6–10 feet away. If you're too
close, you'll hit the fire with enough force to scatter it. If you're too far away, you may not reach the fire with enough
extinguishing material.
 SQUEEZE the trigger. Be prepared. The extinguishing agent may come out with considerable force and noise. Most
portable extinguishers will last for only 15 to 30 seconds. That's the actual "fighting time" you have. You can prolong
the effective fighting time if you use short bursts. If aimed well, they can be very effective.
 SWEEP side-to-side. Drive the fire back. As you extinguish the fire closest to you, move forward, but continue the
sweeping motion.
Once the fire is out, you should have your TA and the lab supervisor check on the area. They will assume the
responsibility of following up the incident with the appropriate authorities—if necessary. This will include making
certain that all persons are out of the area, insuring that another fire extinguisher is nearby in the event of a
recurrence of the fire, and contacting the appropriate fire safety personnel on campus to replenish the spent
extinguisher.Remember you will probably NOT need to use a fire extinguisher at all in your chemistry laboratory.

Abandon the Fight if ANY of the following are TRUE

 •
The fire has started to spread.

 •
Your escape route may be blocked.

 •
You have any trouble operating the extinguisher.

As you leave the lab, close the door to prevent spread of the fire and call 911 to be sure help is on the way. Then
leave the building and wait in the designated area (in front of the FOX building) for help to arrive. (Remember that
everyone must be accounted for at the meeting place BEFORE leaving that area. Anyone not found at the meeting
area will be presumed trapped inside and someone will attempt a rescue).

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