Laboratory safety guidelines
A risk assessment must be completed before any work is undertaken.
These instructions apply to undergraduates. All dissertation and project laboratory work must have the prior approval of the dissertation or laboratory class supervisor and the timing of such work should be arranged with the Laboratory Technician before commencing.
- You should not use the laboratory facilities, apparatus or chemicals without the prior approval of a member of staff or technician. Use is normally limited to taught practicals as arranged as part of the course which you are undertaking. Use of laboratory facilities, apparatus and chemicals outside these courses, such as dissertation or project work, requires the prior approval of a member of staff. Undergraduate work is confined to the Teaching Laboratory (B6). The Research Laboratory (B11) is heavily used by research postgraduates; undergraduate workers may obtain permission in special circumstances to use the Research Laboratory from their supervisor or the Laboratory Technician.
- You should only use the techniques described in the handouts which you will receive, and you should follow the methods carefully. Failure to do so may result in an accident. If you need to use any other technique you must obtain permission and it may be necessary for you to work under direct supervision. You should not proceed with any technique unless you are fully conversant with it and any potential hazard. Read the instructions and listen carefully to instructions before commencing work. You should not work alone (ie without the presence of someone within shouting distance). You should not work outside normal hours which are 0900 – 1700 Monday-Friday.
- Laboratory coats should be worn at all times in the laboratory and removed when leaving.
- Eating, drinking and the use of mobile phones is not allowed in the laboratory.
- Many of the reagents and some of the equipment which you use in the laboratory are potentially dangerous. For this reason it is essential to become acquainted with these materials before you use them. Read the instructions relating to any item of equipment which you use. Read the labels on the reagent bottles before use, making sure that you have got the correct reagent (many of their names are very similar), and that you are aware of its hazards. With dangerous reagents acquaint yourself with the procedures in the event of an accident; a chart explaining the necessary precautions and safety measures is displayed on the wall of the B6 laboratory.
- Always use a pipette filler when pipetting. The use of the mouth to suck any solutions up a pipette is expressly forbidden.
- Do not pour any solutions at or above eye level.
- Do not pour any solutions down the sink without first asking whether it is safe to do so.
- NEVER dispose of sediment down the sinks; use the buckets provided.
- In the event of an accident contact any member of the teaching or technical staff or a porter. If no one can be found ring 4444 (Internal).
- Note that eyewashes and first aid kits are available in both laboratories.
- Report any spillages or accidents, however minor.
- Wash hands when finished to avoid chemical contamination and maintain good hygiene.
- Students are not allowed to work in the laboratory if no member of staff is present.