Lab Safety Do's and Don'ts for Students

Use this handy checklist to acquaint students with safety do's and don’ts in the laboratory.

Conduct

• Do not engage in practical jokes or boisterous conduct in the laboratory.
• Never run in the laboratory.
• The use of personal audio or video equipment is prohibited in the laboratory
• The performance of unauthorized experiments is strictly forbidden
• Do not sit on laboratory benches.

General Work Procedure

• Know emergency procedures.
• Never work in the laboratory without the supervision of an instructor.
• Always perform the experiments or work precisely as directed by your instructor.
• Immediately report any spills, accidents, or injuries to your instructor.
• Never leave experiments while in progress.
• Never attempt to catch a falling object.
• Be careful when handling hot glassware and apparatus in the laboratory. Hot glassware looks just like cold glassware.
• Never point the open end of a test tube containing a substance at yourself or others.
• Never fill a pipette using mouth suction. Always use a pipetting device.
• Make sure no flammable solvents are in the surrounding area when lighting a flame.
• Do not leave lit Bunsen burners unattended.
• Turn off all heating apparatus, gas valves, and water faucets when not in use.
• Do not remove any equipment or chemicals from the laboratory
• Store coats, bags, and other personal items in designated areas.
• Notify your instructor of any sensitivities that you may have to particular chemicals.
• Keep the floor clear of all objects (e.g., ice, small objects, spilled liquids).

Housekeeping

• Keep work area neat and free of any unnecessary objects.
• Thoroughly clean your laboratory work space at the end of the laboratory session.
• Do not block the sink drains with debris.
• Never block access to exits or emergency equipment.
• Inspect all equipment for damage (cracks, defects, etc.) prior to use—do not use damaged equipment.
• Never pour chemical waste into sink drains or wastebaskets.
• Place chemical waste in appropriately labeled waste containers.
• Properly dispose of broken glassware and other sharp objects (e.g., syringe needles) immediately in designated containers.
• Properly dispose of weigh boats, gloves, filter paper, and paper towels in the laboratory.

Apparel in the Laboratory

• Always wear appropriate eye protection (i.e., chemical splash goggles) in the laboratory.
• Wear disposable gloves, as provided in the laboratory, when handling hazardous materials. Remove the gloves before exiting the laboratory.
• Wear a full-length, long-sleeved laboratory coat or chemical-resistant apron.
• Wear shoes that adequately cover the whole foot. Low-heeled shoes with non-slip soles are preferable. Do not wear sandals, open-toed shoes, open-backed shoes, or high-heeled shoes.
• Avoid wearing shirts exposing the torso, shorts, or short skirts; long pants that completely cover the legs are preferable.