Laboratory Safty
Laboratory Safty
Laboratory Safty
The safety
equipment may be located in the hallway near the laboratory entrance.
Post warning signs when unusual hazards, hazardous materials, hazardous equipment, or other special
conditions are present.
All laboratory personnel should place emphasis on safety and chemical hygiene at all times.
All containers must have appropriate labels. Unlabeled chemicals should never be used.
Never consume and/or store food or beverages or apply cosmetics in areas where hazardous chemicals
are used or stored.
Long hair and lose 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 must 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, and 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 chemicals in a properly working fume hood to reduce potential exposures.
Avoid working along in a building. Do not work alone in a laboratory if the procedures being conducted
are hazardous.
The permissable exposure limit (PEL) and the threshold limit values (TLV) must be observed in all areas.
If exposure above a PEL or TLV is suspected for an ongoing process, please contact EHS immediately.
Laboratory employees should have access to a chemical inventory list, applicable safety data sheets
(SDS), departmental laboratory safety manual, and relevant standard operating procedures.
Access to laboratories and support areas such as stockrooms or specialized laboratories should be
limited to approved personnel only.
No cell phone or ear bud usage is allowed 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
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 is a source of potential contamination.
Avoid wearing jewelry in the lab as this can post multiple safety hazards.