BISC219/F11:General lab policy

LABORATORY SAFETY Laboratory safety is the responsibility of everyone working in the laboratory. The following laboratory rules are provided to help ensure your safety and the safety of others during the BISC 110 lab sessions. You should also be sure to read the Wellesley College Lab Safety Manual.


 * 1) There is NO eating, drinking, chewing gum or smoking permitted in the laboratory at anytime. Smoking is not permitted anywhere in the Science Center.
 * 2) To avoid possible damage, coats should be hung on the hooks provided in the corridor outside the laboratory.
 * 3) Unneeded books may be placed in the lockers outside the laboratory or stored in your book bag under the lab bench. This reduces clutter in the lab and protects others against tripping over books or bags in the aisles.
 * 4) Each laboratory is equipped with fire alarms, fire extinguishers, a fire blanket, a safety shower, an eyewash and a first aid kit. Your instructor will indicate the location of each during the first laboratory period.
 * 5) If you have long hair, it is advisable to pin or tie it out of your face. Loose hair can contaminate an experiment or catch on fire when using open flame.
 * 6) Should your hair or clothing catch on fire: DO NOT RUN.  Shout for help and someone will give you the fire blanket.  Wrap yourself in the blanket, then fall to the floor and roll slowly back and forth to put out the flames.
 * 7) All accidents such as burns, cuts, eye contamination, spills, etc., should be reported to your instructor immediately.
 * 8) Keep your hands away from your face to prevent undesirable material being transferred to your face. Always wash your hands before leaving the laboratory.
 * 9) Chemical and Biological materials must be disposed of in the proper manner. Pay attention to “Clean-Up” instructions that indicate how each material should be discarded or stored.  It is the responsibility of each student to follow these directions.  When in doubt, double-check with your instructor.
 * 10) Non-toxic paper products can be placed in the wastebaskets. Disposable glassware should be put in the large blue and white recycle containers at the front of the lab.  Non-disposable glassware should be rinsed out and placed either on your bench to dry or in baskets by the sink at the front of the lab.  Broken glass and Pasteur pipettes should be discarded in the red “sharps” container at the front of the lab.  Wet trash, such as wet leaves, can be discarded in the small garbage pail lined with a plastic bag.
 * 11) It is the responsibility of all Science Center personnel working in laboratories to know and to follow the provisions of the Chemical Hygiene Plan. The purpose of the Chemical Hygiene Plan is to describe proper practices, procedures, equipment and facilities for faculty, students, staff, and visitors in order to protect them from potential health hazards presented by chemicals used in the laboratory workplace, and to keep exposures below specified limits.  You may view the Chemical Hygiene Plan at the Science Center Lab Safety web site.
 * 12) Additional information on a variety of aspects of laboratory safety may be found in the Wellesley College Lab Safety Manual.