Chemistry Lab Rules
Protect Yourself --- Protect Others --- Protect the Environment
1. Wear eye protection at all times. Confine loose hair or loose clothing, especially when working with open flames. Pants are preferable to shorts; closed-toe shoes are preferable to sandals.
2. Do not eat or drink in the lab or carry food or drink containers into the lab. Do not smell anything unless you are instructed to do so, and then do so with caution.
3. Note the location of safety equipment in the lab (e.g. showers, eye wash stations, fire extinguishers, first aid kits). If you are instructed to perform part of a lab in the fume hood, do so (and be sure the fan is on and the shield properly adjusted).
4. Perform no unauthorized experiments. Know what you are supposed to be doing and ask if you are unsure.
5. No running.
6. Report all accidents and near-miss incidents to the instructor, even if no one gets hurt. This will help us avoid future accidents.
7. Work clean.
a. Never place anything (fingers, pipettes, spatulas) into bottles of stock solutions we all share. Never return excess chemicals to bottles of stock solutions. Instead, pour some into a beaker and draw from that supply. This way, you only contaminate or change the concentration of your own solution.
b. Keep your work area clean and notify the instructor if there is a spill. Don’t clean up any spills unless you have been given instructions.
c. Avoid ingesting chemicals. Keep your hands clean, don’t touch your eyes or put fingers into your mouth.
8. Avoid waste of any kind. Take only what you need, and share with neighbors if you accidentally take too much of anything. Dispose of unavoidable wastes according to the procedure or guidance from the instructor.
9. Before you leave the lab, check that your work area is clean and that all utilities are shut off. Wash your hands when you leave.
If you have special health concerns or concerns about handling any chemical, let the instructor know. They can provide you with additional information or help you make smart decisions about how to handle any chemical in the lab.