Laboratory Working - Safety Rules (Dos and Don’ts for Students)

 

SWAMI DAYANAND POST GRADUATE INSTITUTE OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, PGIMS, ROHTAK

 

Laboratory Working/ Safety Rules (Dos and Don’ts for Students)

 

Conduct

•      The use of personal audio or video equipment is prohibited in the laboratory. 

•      Do not engage in boisterous conduct or practical jokes in the laboratory. 

•      The performance of unauthorized experiments is strictly forbidden. 

•      Do not sit on laboratory benches or in working area.

•      Never run in the laboratory.

General Work Procedure 

•      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. 

•      Be careful when handling hot glassware and apparatus in the laboratory. 

•      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. 

•      Turn off all heating apparatus, gas valves, and water faucets when not in use. 

•      Store coats, bags, and other personal items in designated areas. 

•      Notify your instructor of any sensitivity that you may have to particular chemical.

Apparel in the Laboratory 

•      Wear a full-length, long-sleeved laboratory coat or chemical-resistant apron in laboratory

•      Always wear appropriate eye protection (chemical splash goggles) in the laboratory.

•      Wear disposable gloves, as provided in the laboratory, when handling hazardous materials.

•      Wear shoes that adequately cover the whole foot with low-heel and non-slip soles are preferable. 

•      Do not wear sandals, open-toed shoes, open- backed shoes, or high-heeled shoes. 

•      Avoid wearing shorts or short skirts; long pants that completely cover the legs are preferable. 

•      Secure long hair, loose clothing and synthetic fingernails, which are made of extremely flammable polymers, are not recommended in the laboratory.

Hygiene Practices 

Keep your hands away from your face, eyes, mouth, and body while using chemicals.

 

•      Food and drink (open or closed) should never be brought into the laboratory.

•      Do not use laboratory glassware for eating of food or drinking purposes. 

•      Wash hands after removing gloves and before leaving the laboratory.

•      Remove any protective equipment before leaving the laboratory.

Housekeeping  

•      Keep work area neat and clean, 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 and wash them before use.

•      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 gloves, filter paper, and paper towels in the laboratory.

Chemical Handling

•      Check the label to verify it is the correct substance before using it.

•      Wear appropriate chemical resistant gloves before handling chemicals.

•      If you transfer chemicals from their original containers, label chemical containers with the contents, concentration, hazard and date.

•      Always use a spatula to remove a solid reagent from a container. Do not directly touch any chemical with your hands.

•      Never use a metal spatula when working with peroxides (Metals will decompose explosively).

•      Hold containers away from the body when transferring a chemical or solution from one container to another. 

•      Use a hot water bath to heat flammable liquids. Never heat directly with a flame.

•      Add concentrated acid to water slowly. Never add water to a concentrated acid. 

•      Weigh out or remove only the amount of chemical you need. 

•      Never touch, taste, smell any reagents or directly inhale the vapors. 

•      Clean up all spills properly and dispose of chemicals as instructed. 

•      Never handle bottles that are wet or too heavy for you.

Emergency Procedure 

Ø Know the location of all the exits in the laboratory and building.  

Ø Know the location of the emergency phone. 

Ø Know the location of and know how to operate the following

Ø Fire extinguishers

Ø Alarm systems o Fire blankets

Ø Eye washes

Ø First aid kits

Ø D safety showers.

Ø In case of an emergency or accident, follow the established emergency plan as explained by the teacher and evacuate the building via the nearest exit.