Labs

• Proper conduct in the laboratory

  • Be punctual
  • Be respectful toward the authority of the lab technician
  • No pranks, fooling around, or unprofessional behaviour
  • Pay attention and focus on the experiment
• Protective clothing


  • Laboratory coat
  • Eye protection
  • Closed shoes
  • Gloves
• Lab safety rules - Do's

  • Adhere to all safety rules
  • Familiarize yourself with the practical procedure before the practical
  • Know the location of safety equipment
  • Report any incidents
  • Clean the working area and equipment
  • Wash hands thoroughly
  • Adhere to proper waste disposal
• Lab safety rules - Don'ts

  • No eating, drinking, or applying makeup
  • No electronic devices
  • No unauthorized experiments
  • No loose long hair or clothing
  • Never leave an experiment unattended
  • Never pour chemicals down the drain unless permitted
• Biohazard


  Indicates biological hazard
• Explosive


  Indicates explosive hazard
• Environmental hazard


  Indicates environmental hazard
• Corrosive


  Indicates corrosive hazard

  
• Harmful/Irritant


  Indicates harmful or irritant hazard
• Oxidizer


  Indicates oxidizing hazard
• Toxic


  Indicates toxic hazard
• Flammable


  Indicates flammable hazard

  
• Electrical


  Indicates electrical hazard
• First Aid


  Indicates first aid equipment location
• Emergency Shower


  Indicates emergency shower location
• Eye wash station


  Indicates eye wash station location
• The National Fire Protection Association has developed a visual guide for a number of chemicals that offer a quick review of the health hazard, flammability, reactivity and special hazards a chemical may present.

  
• Glassware


  • Handle with care
  • Ensure glassware is clean and dry before use
  • Never use cracked or chipped glassware
  • Take care with glass that might have been heated
• Heating plates & Bunsen Burners

  • Never leave unattended
  • Only use when necessary
  • Allow equipment to cool off before packing away
• Electronic balances


  • Ensure balance is clean at all times
  • Ensure balance is on a stable and level surface
  • Allow balance to set up and calibrate before weighing
  • Never exceed maximum weighing limits
  • Never shake, tilt or bang the balance
• Micro-pipettes


  • Handle with care
  • Never aspirate without using a tip
  • Use appropriate tips
  • Do not tilt the pipette after aspirating liquid
• Fume hood


  • All experiments producing toxic or noxious gases must be conducted in the fume hood
  • Ensure fume hood is functioning properly before conducting any experiment
• Shakers & Incubators


  • Ensure equipment is functioning properly before use
• Advanced lab equipment should only be used by trained personnel
• Heating glass


  1. Heat gradually

  2. Never without any contents (it will crack)

  3. Make sure the outside of the glass is dry before starting heating
• Never leave heating plates or Bunsen burners unattended
• Only use the equipment when necessary
• Allow equipment to cool off before packing it away
• Ensure that the balance is clean at all times
• Ensure that the balance is always on a stable surface and is level
• Allow the balance to set up and calibrate itself before weighing
• Never exceed the maximum weighing limits of the balance
• Never shake, tilt or bang the balance
• Handle all pipettes with care. Never drop or bang them onto the table or floor
• Never aspirate without using a tip and always use the appropriate tips
• Do not tilt the pipette after aspirating liquid. If any solution enters the pipette report it to the lab technician
• All experiments producing toxic or noxious gases must be conducted in the fume hood
• Ensure that the fume hood is functioning properly before conducting any experiments. The screen should be lowered to the correct level
• Ensure that the fume hood is clean before and after conducting an experiment
• Make sure the incubators are set to the correct temperature and the shakers are set to the correct speed