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safety |
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| general |
Never work in the laboratory alone.
Do not perform unauthorized experiments.
Safety goggles must be worn at all times in the laboratory.
Never use mouth suction to fill pipettes.
Wear shoes. Shoes must cover the entire foot--no sandals or perforated shoes (such as crocs) allowed.
Tie back long hair and/or loose clothing while working in the laboratory. Lab coats are suggested but not required.
Note the location of and correct use of the nearest fire extinguisher, safety shower, and first aid kit.
Familiarize yourself with an experiment BEFORE you begin. Prepare yourself in advance to anticipate and/or recognize a potentially dangerous situation.
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chemicals |
Assume all chemicals to be toxic unless known to be otherwise. Handle every chemical with care.
Avoid contact with skin and clothing.
Wipe up spills immediately.
Replace caps on bottles as soon as possible.
Food and drink are not permitted in the lab. No exceptions.
Do not use an organic solvent to wash a chemical from the skin--this may actually increase the rate of absorption of the chemical through the skin.
Avoid inhaling organic vapors (especially aromatic solvents and chlorinated solvents).
When in doubt about the toxicity of reactants, solvents, or products in a reaction, perform the reaction in a hood.
Dispose of chemicals as instructed. In general, small quantities of nonhazardous water-soluble substances can be flushed down the drain with a large quantity of water. Hazardous waste, nonhazardous solid waste, organic solvents, and halogenated organic wasted should be placed inseparated containers.
Before you use a volatile solvent, check the area for flames. Be particularly careful when using diethyl ether, petroleum ether, ligroin, benzene, methanol, ethanol, and acetone.
Notify the instructor immediately.
In case of burning clothing,
stop, drop, and roll (prevent the person from running and fanning the flames). If a safety shower is nearby, hold the person under the shower until flames are extinguished and chemicals have washed away. Do not use a fire blanket if a shower is nearby (smoldering can continue). Remove contaminated clothing and wrap the person in a blanket to avoid shock. Get prompt medical attention.
Avoid using a CO2 extinguisher, as the person may suffocate.
In case of burning reagents,
extinguish all nearby burners and remove combustible material and solvents. Small fires in flask and beakers can be extinguished by covering the container with a big beaker or watch glass.
Use a dry chemical or carbon dioxide fire extinguisher directed at the base of the flames or smother the fire with NaCl/graphite. DO NOT USE WATER!
In case of thermal or chemical burns,
flush the area with cold water for at least 15 minutes. Resume if pain returns. Wash off chemicals with a mild detergent and water. If chemicals are spilled on a person over a large area, quickly remove the contaminated clothing while under the safety shower. Seconds count--do not waste time in the interest of modesty.
If chemicals get in the eye,
flush the eye with copious amounts of water for 15 minutes using an eyewash fountain or a bottle. Otherwise, place the injured person face up on the floor and pour water in the open eye.
Hold the eye open to wash behind the eyelids.
After 15 minutes of washing, obtain prompt medical attention, regardless of the severity of the injury.
In case of cuts,
for a minor cut, wash the cut, remove any pieces of glass/metal, and apply pressure to stop the bleeding. Get medical attention.
for a major cut (if blood is spurting), place a pad directly on the wound, apply firm pressure, wrap the injured person to avoid shock, and get immediate medical attention. Do not use a tourniquet.
In case of poisoning, call 1-800-222-1222.
If you discover an unconscious person in a room, do not enter that room (the person may have inhaled a gas that is still present in the room). Call 911 and wait for help.
For all emergencies, contact Albion College Campus Safety (x1234 or x0911)