CH339: Safety Rules and Guidelines

Prelab Safety:

1. Safety goggles must be worn at all times. Contact lenses should not be worn in the laboratory.
2. Low-heeled shoes which cover the toe and instep must be worn at all times while in the laboratory. Clogs and sandals are not allowed.
3. It is a good idea to wear old clothes or a lab coat while doing lab work. Shorts are not allowed; pants that cover the ankles are required. Hair that is shoulder length or longer should be put up or tied back.
4. Any student under the care of a physician for either acute or chronic medical reasons (e.g.; diabetes, hypertension, epilepsy, pulmonary disease) and/or is pregnant should advise their physician that they are taking organic chemistry lab. Also, the student should advise the laboratory instructor immediately.
5. Proper planning is one of the keys to success and safety in this course. Make sure that you understand the procedures that you will use in the lab. If you don't know how to do something, ask.
6. Do not arrive at your lab section unprepared for the day's experiments. Ill-conceived lab work is dangerous and usually leads to poor results. Plan ahead!

Working with chemicals:

1. Treat every unknown compound as though it is toxic.
2. When using a known compound, reagent or solvent; be familiar with its physical and toxicological properties (see your textbook or the Materials Safety Data Sheets kept in the lab for more information).
3. Avoid ingestion of and/or contact with chemicals.
• Don't handle compounds.
• Never pipet by mouth.
• Wear gloves when working with dangerous or unknown chemicals. Do not touch your face while you are wearing gloves.
• No eating (or chewing gum), drinking or smoking in the lab
• Keep solvents and other liquid compounds in the hoods whenever possible.
• Wash your hands and face thoroughly after finishing lab work for the day.
4. Do not ever mix chemicals together without knowing what you are doing. Mixing together incompatible chemicals can result in violent reactions or release of toxic fumes that can harm you or others near you. If you are in doubt about the compatibility of reagents, ask your TA.

Waste disposal:

1. Do not pour solvents, organic compounds, or strong acids/bases in the sink. Dispose of all waste in the appropriate waste can. If your are in doubt about how to dispose of something, ask your TA.
2. Never pour any reagents back into stock bottles; take only what you need.
3. Nothing except paper should be thrown in the trash cans.

Other safety issues:

1. Be prepared to respond to an emergency. Familiar yourself with lab safety equipment: eyewash stations, fire extinguishers, fire blankets. Think about what you would do in the event of an emergency (fire, chemical spill, accident, etc.).
2. Be careful with flames: Don't use unless necessary and check around you for flammable materials before lighting up.
3. Report all injuries, no matter how small, to your TA and the stockroom staff.

Remember: Your TA is in the lab primarily for your safety. Please pay attention to his/her directions. Any student whose deliberate or negligent acts endanger his/her own safety or that of others may be expelled from the laboratory.