FACULTY OF PHARMACY

GENERAL LABORATORY SAFETY RULES & GUIDELINE

Students are expected to learn and adhere to the following general safety guidelines to
ensure a safe laboratory environment for both yourself and the people you may be
working near. Additional safety precautions will be announced in class prior to
experiments where a potential danger exists. Students who f!" to fo""ow "" sfet#
$u"es sh"" %e %$$ed f$o& ente$!n' the "%o$to$# nd st$!(t (t!on w!"" %e t)en*
ATTIRE
1. Lab coats must be worn at all times when you are in the lab.
2. Wear closed toe shoes that completely cover your foot and long pants that
cover the leg down to the ankle. Snd"s+ hee"s+ , -nts+ s)!$ts nd sho$ts
$e st$!(t"# NOT ALLO.ED*
. Lon' h!$ MUST %e t!ed %() properly when in labs.
!. Wear appropriate "ersonal "rotective #$uipment%
&lothing 'i.e. safety goggles( rubber gloves( mask) when
handling potentially ha*ardous chemicals. "lease ask
from the Scientific +fficer if you need one.
CONDUCT
,
/* Et!n'+ d$!n)!n'+ (hew!n' 'u& nd s&o)!n' $e st$!(t"# -$oh!%!ted !n the
"%o$to$#*
2. -o unauthori*ed experiments are to be performed without the knowledge of
instructors.
. -#.#/ leave experiments unattended.
!. 0se ha*ardous chemicals in a chemical fume hood( whenever possible.
1. 2o not pipette using mouth. 0se a pipette pump instead.
3. Avoid pouring chemical waste materials into the sink. "ut it into special waste
beaker % bottles with proper labeling.
4. -ever taste anything. -ever directly smell the source of any vapor or gas5
instead by means of your cupped hand( waft a small sample to your nose.
6. 0se common sense and 2+ -+7 rush in the laboratory.
8. /eport all accidents( even if they do not result in in9ury( to the instructor or lab
officers.
1:. 2o not store food or beverages in the laboratory or in a chemical refrigerator.
PROPER HANDLING OF CHEMICALS AND E0UIPMENT
1. &onsider "" chemicals to be ha*ardous unless you are instructed
otherwise* Mte$!" Sfet# Dt Sheets 1MSDS2 are available in lab for all
chemicals in use. 7hese will inform you of any ha*ards and precautions of
which you should be aware.
2. ;now what chemicals you are using. &hemicals in the lab are marked
with ha*ardous materials diamond labels. Learn how to interpret these
labels.
. &hemical container should always be closed tightly after use.
!. #xcess reagents are ne3e$ to be returned to stock bottles. ,f you take too
much( dispose of the excess.
1. Do not use h!'h"# f"&&%"e (he&!("s n#whe$e ne$ o-en f"&es*
3. Label the container of any prepared solution%chemicals nicely indicating
name of the chemical%solution( its concentration and date of preparation.
4. AL.AYS -ou$ (!ds !nto wte$* If #ou -ou$ wte$ !nto (!d+ the het of
$e(t!on w!"" (use the wte$ to e4-"ode nd the (!d w!"" s-"tte$*
6. ,f chemicals come into contact with your skin or eyes( f"ush
!&&ed!te"# with copious amounts of water and consult with your instructor.
,,
8. -ever point a test tube or any vessel that you are heating at yourself or your
neighbor.
1:. ,nform instructor in the event of mercury spills.
11. -ever leave burners unattended. Shut off the gas whenever you leave your
workstation or lab
HOUSE5EEPING6 HYGIENE
7he following housekeeping and hygiene practices should be implemented at all times
to reduce the likelihood of accident or chemical exposure<
1. Work areas should be kept clean and free from obstruction.
2. .sh "" '"ssw$e fte$ e(h e4-e$!&ent and dry them in provided basket.
"ut back all apparatus in their respective place.
7* .o$) $es6 %en(hes shou"d %e ("ened t the end of the e4-e$!&ent*
!. &lean up all broken glassware immediately and dispose into the provided box
marked 8BRO5EN GLASS ONLY9. ,f you break glass( record the details of the
item broke into 8Ite& B$e)'e Lo'%oo)9*
1. =ands should be washed after every experiment( and before leaving the
laboratory area.
3. Access to exits( emergency exits( and controls should never be blocked.
FUME HOODS
1. Wear personal protective e$uipment 'e.g. goggles( gloves
and lab coats) when working in the hoods.
2. ;eep experimental apparatus at a distance of at least six
inches behind the sash.
. Where open flame is used( no flammable li$uids may be
kept in the hood. >lammable li$uids should be stored in a
safety cabinet when not in immediate use.
!. 7he vertical sash should be kept %e"ow e#e "e3e" nd &ust %e -os!t!oned
%e"ow %$eth!n' :one he!'ht to protect the user in the event that ha*ardous
vapors escape the fume hood.
1. 5ee- #ou$ hed outs!de the face of the hood. ;eep the sash closed when the
hood is not attended.
,,,
EMERGENCIES
1. ?e sure you know the location and method of operation of the nearest<
#ye Wash Station
Safety Shower
>irst Aid ;it
>ire #xtinguisher
Spill ;it
#mergency exit
Spill
1. &lean up chemical spill immediately with spillage kit( only if
the spill is manageable. ,f you are unable or do not attempt
to clean the spill( prevent the spread if possible( evacuate
the area( ,mmediately alert room occupants and instructor(
and evacuate the area( if necessary.
2. ,f a volatile( flammable material is spilled( immediately warn
everyone( control sources of ignition and ventilate the area.
. /efer to the @aterial Safety 2ata Sheet or other references
for information available in lab office on proper handling of
spillage and proper chemical waste disposal procedure.
Fire
#xtinguish the fire if it is small( contained( you have been trained(
and you have an appropriate fire extinguisher% fire blanket
available. ,f you are unable( or do not attempt to extinguish the fire(
activate the nearest manual fire alarm pull station and evacuate the
building via the nearest exit. ,f you are unable to sound the building
fire alarm( contact the campus Security officer immediately.
&ommunicate with your instructor( supervisor( Security +fficers and
Safety +fficer.
Chemical Exposure
S-"sh to S)!n o$ E#es< flush with water t "est /; &!nutes
using a safety shower or eye wash and seek immediate medical
attention.
In<e(t!on< control bleeding( wash with soap and water and seek
,.
immediate medical attention.
In'est!on< inform instructor and seek immediate medical attention.
Inh"t!on< stop emission if possible( alert others or sound alarm(
get fresh air and seek immediate medical attention. &ommunicate
with your instructor( supervisor( and Safety +ffice % lab officer.
.