General Safety

Emergency Evacuation & Preparedness

Educational laboratories and classrooms have Evacuation Plans and Emergency Preparedness Guides posted in conspicuous locations. These plans show primary and secondary exit routes, fire extinguisher locations, fire alarm pull stations, safe rescue areas for the disabled, the nearest automated external defibrillator location, severe weather safe areas, and shelter-in-place safe areas. Please locate and become familiar with the emergency preparedness information.

Safety Tips

• Know the location of all exits for the laboratory and the building. Each exit in the building will have a lighted exit sign.
• Know the location and use of the safety showers, eyewashes, and first-aid kits.
• Know the location of the nearest phone that can be used in an emergency. Critical phone numbers should be posted near the phone.
• Know the potential hazards of the materials, facilities, and equipment with which you will work. If you are uncertain, ask your supervisor or contact EH&S.
• Use the proper safety equipment for your procedure. This could include a fume hood, glove box, biosafety cabinet, shields, or other equipment.
• Wear eye protection in the laboratory. Splash goggles are required for wet chemical work or work with corrosive dusts and powders.
• Wear personal protective gear when required by laboratory or experimental conditions. This could include laboratory aprons, laboratory coats, gloves, gauntlets, goggles, face shields, dust masks, respirators, and other equipment.
• Wear clothes that protect the body against spills, dropped objects, and other accidental chemical contact.
• Long hair should be tied back or otherwise confined. Secure ties or other articles of clothing or jewelry that might become entangled in equipment.
• Eating, drinking, gum chewing, tobacco chewing, or application of cosmetics is prohibited where biological hazards or chemicals will be stored or used. Food must not be kept in refrigerators or cold rooms with chemicals or other hazardous materials.
• Do not pipet by mouth. Use only mechanical pipetting devices.
• Wash hands carefully before leaving the laboratory. Beware of contamination on clothing, doorknobs, doorframes, etc. Remove any protective gear (gloves, lab coats, etc.) before leaving the laboratory.
• Follow written protocols or instructions. Perform only authorized experiments. Do not create shortcuts to procedures.
• Do not move or disturb equipment in use without consent of the user.
• Do not leave equipment or reactions operating while unattended.
• Do not work alone in the laboratory after normal working hours.
• Do not horseplay in the laboratory.
• Follow good housekeeping practices -- clean up as you go and keep work areas, aisles, corridors, and exits uncluttered. Maintain clear accessibility to eyewash/emergency showers, fire extinguishers, and electrical panels.
• Report all accidents and injuries immediately to your laboratory instructor or supervisor.
• Report unsafe conditions to your instructor or supervisor.