GENERAL PRACTICES:

• Plan and conduct lab experiments in accordance to established directions and SAFE PRACTICES.
• Report unsafe practices, conditions and injuries to instructor or department chair.
• Maintain awareness of current safety or environmental practices.
• Exercise reasonable neatness as one of the best ways to avoid accidents and injuries.

SAFE PRACTICES IN THE LABORATORY:

• Know location of exits, fire extinguishers, fire blanket, fire alarm, safety shower, eye-wash stations and broken glass container in the laboratory.
• Wear eye protection whenever working with flames, concentrated acids and bases or instructed by the instructor.
• Restrain long hair, loose clothing and dangling jewelry.
• Shoes must be worn at all times.
• Clean your work station at end of laboratory from spilled chemicals, used matches, and other debris.
• Close reagent bottles after use, and wipe bottles clean if spill occurs.
• Clean up spilled chemicals immediately, using appropriate procedure.
• Keep containers of flammable liquids away from open flames.
• No eating, drinking, smoking or applying cosmetics in the laboratory.
• Do not perform unauthorized experiments, or use equipment without instructions.
• Do not return unused chemicals to the stock bottle. Share excess chemicals with other students or disposed of properly.
• Never leave heat sources such as hot plate or Bunsen burner unattended.
• Do not pipette by mouth. Use mechanical pipetting devices.
• Never work alone in the laboratory.

INCIDENTS:

• Report all spills and accidents, no matter how minor, to the instructor immediately.
• Wash your hands immediately and thoroughly if they come in direct contact with chemicals.
• In case of a chemical spill, use the emergency spill kit to contain and neutralize the substance.
• In case of broken glassware, do not touch the broken glassware with your bare hands. Always use a broom and dust pan and discard them in designated broken glass container.

Upon Completion of Your Laboratory Experiments:

• Return all items to their proper locations. These items may include ring stands, clamp rings, wire gauzes, matches, etc. Nothing should be left on the laboratory counter top.
• Dispose of all used chemicals according to the instructions provided by your instructor.
• Shut off all gas, water and vacuum fixtures.
• Return all reagent bottles and sample vials to the instructor bench.
• Clean up workstation from spilled chemicals, used matches and other debris.
• Secure locker on your station.
• Wash hands thoroughly before leaving laboratory.

STUDENT SAFETY CONTRACT

Los Angeles Mission College