Safety Rules

FOR THE SCIENCE LAB

To be read to and discussed with the students by the lab

instructor at the beginning of the first lab period each
semester.
1. WEAR ACCEPTABLE DRESS AND PROTECTIVE COVERING.
A.Splashproof eye covering (goggles) must be worn during activities in which
            eye hazard exists.  Ordinary eyeglasses are not adequate protection against
splashes.
            Goggles may be purchased at the campus bookstore.
B.Aprons or lab coats are required for students in chemistry/biology lab courses.
C. Do not wear easily flammable garments in the laboratory; wear shoes which cover
            the entire foot; hair which is long enough to hang down into a burner flame
must be
            tied back while in the laboratory.
2. DO NOT WEAR SOFT CONTACT LENSES IN THE LABORATORY.
            Soft contact lenses are hydrophilic and may trap vapors of corrosive
laboratory
            chemicals between the lens and the cornea of the eye. Soft contact lenses
have been
            specifically identified as an eye hazard by the Virginia Community College
System in
            situations in which prolonged contact with laboratory fumes may be
expected. If you
            insist on wearing contact lenses of any sort, you must fill out a contact len
release
            form and file it with the Department.  Contact Lens Release Form
3. LEARN THE LOCATION AND OPERATION OF LABORATORY EMERGENCY SAFETY
EQUIPMENT.
Fire Extinguishers Emergency Exits Fire Alarms Eye Wash
Fire Blankets Overhead Showers Campus Police First-Aid Kits
Glass Disposal Bloodborne Pathogens Material Safety Data Sharps
Containers Procedures Sheets Containers
 

4. DO NOT EAT, DRINK, OR SMOKE IN THE LABORATORY:  ALSO DO NOT TASTE

CHEMICALS UNLESS SPECIFICALLY DIRECTED.  BE VERY CAUTIOUS WHEN
SMELLING CHEMICALS.  Food and drink may NOT be brought into the laboratory;
smoking materials may not
be used there.
 
5. DO NOT ATTEMPT UNAUTHORIZED EXPERIMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS OF
AUTHORIZED EXPERIMENTS.
6. ACTS OF CARELESSNESS AND/OR HORSEPLAY ARE PROHIBITED IN THE
LABORATORY
        Behave in a professional manner; confine your conversation to the work at hand;
pay attention to what you are doing.
 
7. STUDENTS ARE NOT PERMITTED IN A SCIENCE LABORATORY WHEN
THEIR         INSTRUCTOR IS NOT WITH THEM IN THAT ROOM.  Students found
in a lab room, when their instructor is not present, will be asked to
 vacate the room immediately.
 
8. CLEAN YOUR LABORATORY AREA BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE ROOM.   Clean work
areas thoroughly; replace chemicals in their place of origin, rinse glassware
and set to dry in sink area, wipe off tabletops with water and paper towels. If
pathogens
or body fluids are present wipe surfaces with 1:10 bleach solution, discard broken glass
in designated receptacle and treat all body fluids as hazardous waste and dispose of in
properly marked receptacle. ALWAYS WASH HANDS BEFORE LEAVING THE AREA.
 
9. STAY OUT OF THE STOCKROOM AND PREPARATION AREAS OF THE
LABORATORY.
       As a general rule, these areas are off limits to students. 10. KEEP ALL AISLES
IN THE LABORATORY CLEAR OF OBSTRUCTIONS.
During lab times, place books, coats, and backpacks out of aisle areas.
11. NO CHILDREN ARE ALLOWED IN THE SCIENCE LAB AREA.
12. PREGNANT STUDENTS MUST INFORM THEIR INSTRUCTORS OF THEIR
      CONDITION. Pregnancy Release Form
13. REPORT ALL PRE-EXISTING INJURIES Report pre-existing injuries such as cuts,
abrasions, sores, lesions, etc. to your
lab instructor. Injuries of the types noted, may be dangerous either to yourself
(i.e., chemical contact with a break in the skin) or to others (i.e., bloodborne
pathogens).
 
14. SAFETY ON CAMPUS GROUNDS If a class/lab activity requires students to go out
onto campus grounds, the instructor
is responsible for informing you about possible hazards you may face (i.e., ticks, poison
ivy, drowning in the lake, etc.) and providing safety procedures
(i.e., wearing appropriate clothing, using life vests, etc.) to combat these hazards.
 
15. KNOW WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY. A. Report all accidents immediately. 
All personal injuries--regardless of how trivial
            they may seem at the time--must be reported to the instructor and/or
other
            professional laboratory personnel.
B. Know the procedure to be followed in case of personal injury:
         1. Report it immediately to the instructor or lab staff. The instructor will
            remain with the affected person(s) and send someone to inform the
            Campus Police  {Rm 150 - Phone 5744}.
                2. Follow procedures listed in the Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure
Procedures
                    that are posted in each lab room, if applicable.
C. Know what sorts of accidents are the most likely to occur in the laboratory,
as well as what action to take if accident occurs: TYPE OF ACCIDENT SHEET
 

TYPE OF ACCIDENT ACTION TO TAKE UNTIL HELP ARRIVES

Chemical spill on surface or Keep clear of the area; cooperate with instructions 
floor: for clean-up. All spills must be reported.
Broken glass on work
. Discard broken glass in designated containers.
surface or floor.
Wash with water IMMEDIATELY; continue washing until
Chemical spill on skin, told to stop.   Immediate washing is crucial in cases of spill
clothes, hands, eyes.  involving 
the eyes and face. 
Thermal Burns Wash with water IMMEDIATELY, apply ice
Gloves, goggles, and aprons must be used when blood is
present 
(see Blood Borne Pathogens Exposure Procedures).  These
are 
located with the First-Aid Kits.  First-Aid Kits are located in
each 
Cuts, punctures, gashes. room in the cabinet drawer marked with a red crosss.
Control
the flow of blood & apply first aid as necessary until help
arrives. 
Bloodied items and body fluids are to be treated as a
hazardous 
waste and disposed of in properly labeled receptacle.
Provide fresh air and/or resuscitation. Use antidote if
Asphyxiation or poisoning.
possible. 
Disconnect the power before touching the person, 
ELECTRICAL SHOCK 
if they are still touching the electrical source.
Get out of the area. Assist persons in trouble. If clothing is
on 
FIRE OR EXPLOSION
fire use water source, fire blanket, overhead shower, or 
fire extinguisher