Environmental Health & Safety Department

Laboratory Safety Guidelines

Common Laboratory Safety Practices:

The following guidelines have been established to minimize hazards and
to maintain basic safety in the laboratory:

A- General Safety Principles:

1. Eye protection (safety glasses/goggles) and lab coats must be worn
at all times you are in the lab

2. Know what you are working with. Read material safety data sheets
(MSDSs) and container labels for all chemicals. Know how the
chemical can hurt you, how to avoid harmful conditions in your
work area, and how to respond to an accident.

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Laboratory Safety Guidelines

3. Be familiar with the location of emergency equipment, fire alarms,

fire extinguishers, emergency eyewash and shower stations and
know the appropriate emergency response procedures.

4. Avoid horseplay, games, and other behavior that can lead to

accidents.
5. Listen carefully to safety instructions and general instructions at
the beginning of each laboratory. Make relevant notes on these
instructions.
6. If in doubt about a procedure ask before proceeding further. The
lab instructor and the assistant are there to guide you.
7. Always replace stoppers of reagent bottles immediately after use
and never dip a dirty spatula or rod into any reagent.
8. Never return reagents to bottles unless specifically instructed to do
so.
9. Always clean up spilled chemicals and water immediately. If
necessary the lab aid or technician will help you.

10.Avoid tasting or smelling hazardous chemicals

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Laboratory Safety Guidelines

B- Health and Hygiene:

The following practices have been established to protect laboratory
employees and students from health risks associated with use of
hazardous chemicals:

1. Avoid direct contact with any hazardous chemical. Know the types
of personal protective equipment available (PPE) and use the
proper type for each job, according to the instructions of the lab
technician.

2. Confine long hair and loose clothing and always wear footwear
which fully covers the feet.
3. Do not use mouth suction to pipette chemicals or start siphon; a
pipette bulb or an aspirator should be used to provide vacuum.

4. Use appropriate safety equipment whenever exposure to gases,

vapors or aerosols is suspected, and ensure exhaust facilities are
working properly.
5. Do not wear contact lenses around toxic vapors.
6. Do not use lab glassware for eating or drinking.
7. Operations involving toxic, irritating or noxious substances should
be conducted in lab hoods.

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Laboratory Safety Guidelines

8. Wash well before leaving laboratory area. Do not use solvents for
washing the skin. Washing with solvents can cause dermatitis and
facilitate absorption of toxic chemicals.
9. Wash hands and remove lab coats and other protective equipment
prior to leaving the laboratory for lunch or coffee breaks.

10.Do not eat, drink, smoke, chew gum, or apply cosmetics (makeup)
in the lab. Never store food in a chemical refrigerator or chemicals
in a food refrigerator.

C- Good Housekeeping:
A clean work area is safer than cluttered or dirty one. Use the following
guidelines to maintain an orderly laboratory:
1. Laboratory benches and aisles should not be used as storage areas,
but should be cleared as each experiment or job is completed.
2. Keep work areas clean and uncluttered with chemicals and
equipment. Clean up work areas upon completion of an operation
or at the end of each work day, including floors.
3. Do not throw broken glass into the waste basket. Do use a special
thick-walled container for broken glass.
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Laboratory Safety Guidelines

4. Do not block exits, emergency equipment or controls or use

hallways and stairways as storage areas.

D- Chemical Handling and Storage:

1. Information on proper handling, storage and disposal of hazardous
chemicals can be found in the Material Safety Data Sheets.
2. Chemical containers with missing or defaced labels should not be
accepted.
3. Chemicals should not be stored on high shelves and large bottles
should be stored no more than two feet from floor level.
4. Storage of chemicals on the lab bench or other work areas shall be
kept to a minimum.
5. Substances of unknown toxicity shall be assumed to be toxic.
6. Do not point the mouth of a vessel being heated (tube) towards any
person, including yourself.

7. Pour more concentrated solutions (acids) into less concentrated

solutions (water) to avoid violent reactions.

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Laboratory Safety Guidelines

8. Keep exposed skin covered. Shorts, skirts, or open-toed shoes

should not be worn in the laboratory.
9. Always wear goggles or safety glasses with side shields when
handling compressed gases.
10.Compressed gas cylinders must be secured in an upright position at
all times to prevent them from falling.
11.Never use compressed gas from a cylinder without a reduction of
pressure through a suitable pressure regulator.
12.Never place uncapped vessels of chemicals in a refrigerator, on
benches, or in hoods.
13.Absolutely DO NOT dump things down the drain unless you
instructed to do so (Always ask your lab tech.)

E- Glassware:
1. Inspect glassware before use and discard damaged items. Do not
use broken, chipped, or badly scratched glassware.

2. Use adequate hand protection when placing any tubing on glass

hose connections. Use plastic or metal clamps to secure the
connection where possible. Lubricate the tubing with soapy water
or glycerin to facilitate insertion.
3. Do not pick up broken glass with bare hands; use gloves, paper
towel and sweep small pieces into a dust pan using a brush. Fine
glass particles may be picked up with wet paper toweling.

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G- Electrical Safety in the Laboratory:

1. Keep all equipment far away from water. Do not run cord over a
sink. Keep all equipment and hands dry while handling electrical
equipment.
2. Remove all metal or conductive jewelry when working with
electrical devices. If they make contact with a live wire, you may
be included in the circuit.
3. Do not use direct flame (Bunsen burner) when heating flammable
and combustible liquids, use special heaters (Heating Mantle).
4. Do not overload electrical outlets or extension cords. They may
overheat. If a cord feels warm, disconnect it and do not use it.

H- Emergency Procedures:
1. If you get a chemical in your eye – wash it out immediately. Use
the eyewash fountain for at least 15 minutes.
2. On hearing the fire alarm, put off any heating equipment and
evacuate the building through the stairs and according to the
instruction of the building and floor wardens (never use the
elevators).

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