Laboratory Safety^[1]

You are working in a laboratory with a level 2 biohazard rating, which means that microorganisms that are potentially disease causing or pathogenic are used on occasion in this laboratory. Hazardous chemicals are also present. For your safety and the safety of the people around you, you are required to read and follow all of the following laboratory safety rules.

1. Upon entering the lab, wipe down the bench top with the disinfectant at your bench and thoroughly wash your hands.

2. A fully fastened lab coat is mandatory when working with chemicals and biohazards. At the end of the laboratory period, remove your lab coat such that it is inside out and place it into a plastic bag before placing it into your backpack. You can clean your lab coat in a washing machine using conventional laundry detergent.

3. To protect you from chemical and biohazardous agents:

• • Closed-toed shoes are required when working with chemicals and biohazards (no sandals or open-toed shoes!).
  • Floor length pants or equivalents are mandatory when working with chemicals or biohazards.
  • Wearing appropriate gloves is mandatory when dealing with chemicals and biohazards.
  • Safety glasses are mandatory when working with chemicals and biohazards. Prescription glasses are not sufficient. Note: It is best practice to not wear contact lenses in the lab.

4. Prevent contaminating yourself via the nose, mouth or eyes.

• • No eating, drinking, smoking or applying cosmetics (including lip balm) in the lab.
  • Keep fingers, pens, pencils, pipettes and other materials away from your face while you are in the lab.

5. Lower the risk of contamination and prevent ignition of materials!

• • No hats with brims
  • Securely tie long hair up or back.
  • Keep only the necessary materials on your lab bench (i.e., lab book, pen/pencil) and stow the rest in the cabinet at your bench. To avoid contamination keep the materials away from your work area and do not place any of the materials you are working with on or near your lab books.

6. Only bring necessary materials into the work area. Please leave coats and bags outside of the lab.

7. Be prepared for the lab. Make sure you have read the lab instructions prior to the lab and are aware of the potential dangers associated with the lab. Read the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for the chemicals and Pathogen Safety Data Sheets (PSDS) if provided.

8. Read labels carefully to ensure proper care and use of compounds, especially hazardous compounds.

9. Know the location of fire extinguishers, emergency exits, eyewash apparatus, and other safety equipment.

10. Non-contaminated materials (i.e., paper towel from washing hands) should be discarded in the garbages designated for “non-contaminated waste only”.

11. Contaminated and Biohazard waste (e.g., contaminated gloves, contaminated Kimwipes®, pipette tips) should be discarded in containers designated for “Biohazard Waste Only”.

12. Discard sharps, slides, coverslips, broken glass, and glass pipettes into the labelled glass disposal container or sharps container as instructed.

13. Report all spills immediately to your lab instructor.

14. Report all accidents to the lab instructor immediately. Follow the incident reporting procedures posted in the lab. If first aid is done, fill out the first aid report.

15. If you have any allergies or medical conditions that may be a concern, inform the lab instructor.

16. Before leaving the lab, wipe down the bench top with antimicrobial disinfectant and wash your hands. Be sure you leave your bench tidy and stow your cleaned microscopes.