Appendix-B

General lab safety rules
The following are rules that relate to almost every laboratory and cover what you should know in an
emergency, proper signage, safety equipment, safely using laboratory equipment, and basic common-
sense rules.
1. Be sure to read all fire alarm and safety signs and follow the instructions in the event of an
accident or emergency.
2. Ensure you are fully aware of your facility's/building's evacuation procedures.
3. Ensure you know where your lab's safety equipment—including first aid kit(s), fire
extinguishers, eyewash stations, and safety showers—is located and how to use it properly.
4. Know emergency phone numbers to use to call for help in case of an emergency.
5. Lab areas containing carcinogens, radioisotopes, biohazards, and lasers should be appropriately
marked with the appropriate warning signs.
6. Open flames should never be used in the laboratory unless you have permission from a QU
safety department.
7. Make sure you are aware of where your lab's exits and fire alarms are located.
8. If there is a fire drill, be sure to turn off all electrical equipment and close all containers.
9. Always work in properly-ventilated areas.
10. Do not chew gum, drink, or eat while working in the lab.
11. Laboratory glassware should never be utilized as food or beverage containers.
12. Each time you use glassware, be sure to check it for chips and cracks. Notify the lab supervisor
of any damaged glassware so it can be appropriately disposed of.
13. Never use lab equipment that you are not approved or trained by the supervisor to operate.
14. If an instrument or piece of equipment fails during use or isn't operating correctly, report the
issue to a technician right away.
15. If you are the last person to leave the lab, make sure to lock all the doors and turn off all ignition
sources.
16. Do not work alone in the lab.
17. Never leave an ongoing experiment unattended.
18. Never lift any glassware, solutions, or other types of apparatus above eye level.
19. Never smell or taste chemicals.
20. Do not pipette by mouth.
21. Make sure you always follow the proper procedures for disposing of lab waste.
22. Report all injuries, accidents, and broken equipment or glass right away, even if the incident
seems small or unimportant. (QU safety forms available in all labs)
23. If you have been injured, yell out immediately and as loud as possible to ensure you get help.
24. If a chemical splashes into your eye(s) or on your skin, immediately flush the affected area(s)
with running water for at least 20 minutes.
25. If you notice any unsafe conditions in the lab, let the lab supervisor know as soon as possible.
Housekeeping safety rules
Laboratory housekeeping rules also apply to most facilities and deal with the necessary upkeep,
tidiness, and safe laboratory maintenance.
1. Always keep your work area(s) tidy and clean.

2. Ensure that all eyewash stations, emergency showers, fire extinguishers, and exits are
always unobstructed and accessible.
3. Only materials you require for your work should be kept in your work area. Everything
else should be stored safely out of the way.
4. Only lightweight items should be stored on top of cabinets; heavier items should always
be kept at the bottom.
5. Solids should always be kept out of the laboratory sink.
6. Any equipment that requires airflow or ventilation to prevent overheating should always
be kept clear.
Dress code safety rules

As you'd expect, laboratory dress codes set a clear policy for the clothing employees should avoid
wearing to prevent accidents or injuries in the lab. For example, skirts and shorts might be excellent
for enjoying the warm weather outside but quickly become a liability in the lab where skin can be
exposed to heat or dangerous chemicals.
1. Always tie back hair that is chin-length or longer.

2. Make sure that loose clothing or dangling jewelry is secured, or avoid wearing it in the
first place.
3. Never wear sandals or other open-toed shoes in the lab. Footwear should always cover
the foot completely.
4. Never wear shorts or skirts in the lab.
5. When working with Bunsen burners, lighted splints, matches, etc., acrylic nails are not
allowed.
Personal protection safety rules
Unlike laboratory dress code policies, personal protection rules cover what employees should be
wearing in the lab to protect themselves from various hazards and basic hygiene rules to follow to
avoid any contamination.
1. When working with equipment, hazardous materials, glassware, heat, and/or chemicals,
always wear face shields or safety glasses.
2. When handling any toxic or hazardous agent, always wear the appropriate gloves.
3. When performing laboratory experiments, you should always wear a smock or lab coat.
4. Before leaving the lab or eating, always wash your hands.
5. After experimenting, you should always wash your hands with soap and water.
6. When using lab equipment and chemicals, be sure to keep your hands away from your
body, mouth, eyes, and face.
Chemical safety rules

Since almost every lab uses chemicals of some sort, chemical safety rules are a must. Following
these policies helps employees avoid spills and other accidents and damage to the environment
outside of the lab. These rules also set a clear procedure for employees to follow if a spill does occur
to ensure it is cleaned up properly and injuries are avoided.
1. Every chemical should be treated as though it were dangerous.

2. Do not allow any solvent to come into contact with your skin.
3. All chemicals should always be clearly labeled with the name of the substance, its
concentration, the date it was received, and the person responsible for it.
4. Before removing any of the contents from a chemical bottle, read the label twice.
5. Never take more chemicals from a bottle than you need for your work.
6. Do not put unused chemicals back into their original container.
7. Chemicals or other materials should never be taken out of the laboratory.
8. Chemicals should never be mixed in sink drains.
9. Flammable and volatile chemicals should only be used in a fume hood.
10. If a chemical spill occurs, clean it up right away.
11. Ensure that all chemical waste is disposed of properly.
Chemistry lab safety rules
As chemistry labs are one of the most common types, these basic chemistry lab safety rules are
relevant to many scientists, dealing with the safe performance of typical activities and tasks in the
average chemistry lab:
1. Before you start an experiment, make sure you are fully aware of the hazards of the
materials you'll be using.
2. When refluxing, distilling, or transferring volatile liquids, always exercise extreme
caution.
3. Always pour chemicals from large containers to smaller ones.
4. Never pour chemicals that have been used back into the stock container.
5. Never tap flasks that are under vacuum.
6. Chemicals should never be mixed, measured, or heated in front of your face.
7. Water should not be poured into concentrated acid. Instead, pour acid slowly into the
water while stirring constantly. In many cases, mixing an acid with water is exothermic.
Electrical safety rules

Like almost every other workplace, laboratories contain electronic equipment. Electrical safety rules
help prevent the misuse of electronic instruments, electric shocks, and other injuries and ensure that
any damaged equipment, cords, or plugs are reported to the appropriate authorities so they can be
repaired or replaced.
1. Before using any high voltage equipment, make sure you get permission from QU safety
department.
2. High voltage equipment should never be changed or modified in any way.
3. Always turn off a high voltage power supply when you are attaching it.
4. Use only one hand if you need to adjust any high voltage equipment. It's safest to place
your other hand either behind your back or in a pocket.
5. Make sure all electrical panels are unobstructed and easily accessible.
6. Whenever you can, avoid using extension cords.
Laser safety rules
1. Even if you are confident that a laser beam is "eye" safe or low power, you should never
look into it.
2. Always wear the appropriate goggles in areas of the lab where lasers are present. The
most common laser injuries are caused by scattered laser light reflecting either off the
shiny surface of optical tables, the sides of mirrors, or off of mountings. Goggles will
help you avoid damage from such scattered light.
3. It would help if you never kept your head at the same level as the laser beam.
4. Always keep the laser beam at or below chest level.
5. Laser beams should never be allowed to spread into the lab. Beam stops should always
be used to intercept laser beams.
6. Do not walk through laser beams.

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Appendix-B

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General lab safety rules

1. Always keep your work area(s) tidy and clean.

Dress code safety rules

1. Always tie back hair that is chin-length or longer.

Chemical safety rules

to ensure it is cleaned up properly and injuries are avoided.

1. Every chemical should be treated as though it were dangerous.

Electrical safety rules

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