Safety in the Chemistry Laboratory

Our BSU Chemistry Laboratory is for teaching and or learning where hazards to human
health can arise from inappropriate situations and or behaviours. All have individual
responsibilities to take reasonable care of their safety and health and that of others, and
to follow all safety and health policies and procedures. The students should ensure
that reading and writing materials do not become contaminated while performing by
putting away their personal belongings ( bags, books, etc) .are laced away from the
work table.

Each student within the laboratory needs to sign (and date) that they have read,
understood and will abide by safety rules and regulations before being permitted to
commence work. This should also be countersigned (and dated) by the Faculty in
charge.

All staff, students and visitors must comply with these Guidelines and are to follow all
instructions and directions relating to laboratory conduct.

GENERAL SAFETY RULES

1 Children are not permitted in laboratories.

2 Be aware of emergency procedures, location of emergency showers/ eye washes and

emergency evacuation assembly locations.

3 Appropriate personal protective clothing(Laboratory lab gown) must be worn at all

times in laboratories and comply with instructions to students.

4 Closed-in footwear at all times.. Bare feet, thongs, sandals are prohibited.

5 Fasten loose clothing and tie back long hair. When using machinery, remove jewellery
and rings. The possibility exists for such items to be caught in moving parts.

6 It is prohibited to eat, drink and apply cosmetics in laboratories.

7 Ipods and similar devices, headsets which could cause distraction, reduce alertness
or become contaminated during laboratory operations should be put away. Mobile
phones should be used only for emergency contact while undertaking laboratory
procedures.
8 Do not store food and/or drink in laboratory refrigerators or laboratory storage units.
The exception is if the food and drink are specifically for research or teaching, then
these items must be clearly labelled as research or teaching items.

9 Do not run or engage in reckless behaviour in or near laboratories.

10 Cover all open wounds when handling chemicals..

11 Wash hands and remove laboratory coats after completion of experimental work and
before leaving the laboratory.

13 Do not use any machines, equipment or laboratory apparatus without prior

instruction/training by the supervisor or technical staff on safe work procedures and
practices. Whilst using any equipment you must adhere to the standard operating
procedure.

14 Observe safety signs at all times

ADDITIONAL PERSONAL PROTECTION

1 Approved safety spectacles, goggles or safety shields must be worn in all areas
where tools or substances such as chemicals, liquids, UV light, lasers or radiation may
cause eye injury.

2 Appropriate protective clothing (for example gowns, overalls, closed laboratory coats,
flame resistant clothing) shall be worn where required. Specific protective
clothing/gloves will be at the discretion of the area but can be required by
legislative/standards and or risk assessment. Laboratory coats should not be worn
outside the laboratory (legal/contamination control requirements).

3 Hearing protection must be worn if noise can damage or impair hearing (for example,
when using ultrasonic cleaning apparatus).

5 Ensure the correct gloves are used for chemicals.

HOUSEKEEPING
1 Keep floors tidy and dry. Keep benches clean and free from chemicals and apparatus
that are not being used.

2 Clean working area and equipment thoroughly after use.

3 Keep aisles and exits free from obstructions.

4 Ensure clear access to emergency equipment (fire extinguishers, first aid kits,
chemical spill kits, emergency shower and eye washes).

5 When leaving the laboratory, turn off all equipment in use (if appropriate), extinguish
flames.

6 Keep the interior of fume cupboards and nearby areas clean and clear.

CHEMICAL AND HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES

The Chemistry Department has reviewed all the Laboratory Exercises so that
potentially hazardous chemical substances are either substituted with safer
reagents. Alternative learning activity is utilized where hazardous substances
need to be utilized to emphasize some chemical principles.

Moreover, the reagents used in the laboratory experiments are in very small
amounts or diluted concentrations so as to reduce hazardous exposures of
student, teachers, janitorial staff and to safeguard the environment.

FUME CUPBOARDS

Fume cupboards must be correctly operated and maintained to ensure efficient

extraction of hazardous fumes and to protect operators from potential harm.

FIRE PREVENTION

1 No smoking in laboratories or in any University buildings.

2 Open flames should not be left unattended and no open flames should be used near
flammable solvents.

3 Keep fire escape routes clear at all times.

4 Before starting work, all staff and students are to become familiar with the fire
procedures and location and use of fire-fighting equipment within the laboratory.

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENTS

Switch off electrical appliances which do not need to be left on when equipment is not in
use.

EMERGENCY/FIRST AID

1. Know the location of;

● the nearest fire extinguishers/fire blankets

● fire / emergency escape routes
● first aid box
● emergency shower/eye wash facilities
● isolation devices for gas, water and power (where fitted)

2 Wash skin immediately with plenty of water if contaminated with acids and alkalis (if
required seek medical attention).

3 Eyes splashed with any chemical must be washed with water for 15 mins and medical
advice obtained immediately.

4 All breakages and spills must be reported to the TEACHER and dealt with
immediately. Spills should be cleaned up and bins provided for broken glass and spill
clean up materials etc.

5 Ensure all incidents and injuries are reported. Injuries should be recorded in the First
Aid log or reported

DISCIPLINARY ACTION

Repeated or serious breaches of these guidelines may result in disciplinary action which
could include exclusion from the laboratory.

Reference:
The above safety laboratory practices were lifted from:

https://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/topics/laboratory