Lab Safety

• All laboratory researchers must read and understand the (SDS)
• Ensure that you have the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize exposure
• Be prepared to properly deal with a possible spill
• Know where the spill kits are
• Make sure your Safety Report contains the standard operating procedures (SOP) for your procedure and that you have it at hand in the lab
• Store reagents properly
• Every container must be labelled
• Segregate your chemical waste
• Rubber gloves for handling specific lab apparatus/materials only; remove when finished procedure

• Consult the sheet BEFORE you start working with a chemical
• Hard copies must be available in lab for chemicals that are used regularly
• Soft copies may be stored on local media for everything else
• SDS must be no older than 3 years
• SDS must be of the exact same formulation as the material that you are working with

• PPE requirements will be per SDS, Safety Office and Safety Manual requirements
• Lab coat and closed-toe shoes (no sandals, flip-flops)
• Nitrile gloves for handling toxic or corrosive materials
• Safety glasses or full face shield for some chemical transfers, or risks of flying debris

• Exhausts toxic or hazardous fumes, gases or dusts
• Calibrated for 100 fpm with sash open less than 18”
• Flammable and acid storage under hood
• Some have gas nozzles
• DO NOT USE IF ALARMING
• CLOSE SASH when not in use

Researchers are to evaluate possible hazards and protect against them:

• Burns, Extreme Burns, Freeze
• Toxic or Corrosive
• Entanglement
• Cuts, Pinches, Crushes
• Flying debris
• Bio-exposure
• Laser Lights
• X-rays
• Slips, Trips, Falls

• Safety Stickers are applied on equipment for a single “hazard point”
• SOP for more complex equipment with multiple hazards
• Focus is on Safe Operation, not skills
• Common Lab SOP's:
  • Compressed Gas Cylinder Handling
  • Fumehood Operation
  • Equipment-Specific SOP's
  • Machine Lathe
  • Bandsaw