Laboratory Safety Regulations

A seven-page document Laboratory Safety Regulations describing basic information on personal safety in the laboratories and protective equipment, is distributed to all faculty, staff and students using the science laboratories, which are equipped with eyewash/showers, fume hoods and many other safety features.

A training session is held when these regulations are distributed; the attendees' signature certify they have received this instruction.

It is the responsibility of faculty, staff and students using the different laboratories to ensure that all activities conducted follow all laboratory safety regulations and are compatible with other activities simoultaneously in progress.

Each laboratory user is required to leave their work area, safe, secure and clean.

The student must inform the instructor of any special conditions that might affect their laboratory performance. If during the laboratory session any student becomes sick or faint the instructor must be informed at once.

Safety is a collective responsibility that requires the full cooperation of everyone in the laboratory. However, the ultimate responsibility for safety rests with the person actually carrying out some type of procedure. In the case of an academic laboratory, that is usually the student. Accidents often result from an indifferent attitude, failure to use common sense or failure to follow instructions. Each student should be aware of what other students are doing because all can be victims of an individual mistake. Do not hesitate to point out to other students that they are engaging in unsafe practices and operations. If necessary, report it to the instructor. In the final assesment, students have the greatest responsibility to ensure their own personal safety. (1)

(1) Safety in Academic Chemistry Laboratories, published by The American Chemical Society, May 1994, page 3.