Table . NFPA hazard code ratings.Laboratory SafetyIntroductionPersonal ProtectionEye ProtectionClothingGlovesPersonal HygieneLaboratory ProtocolHousekeepingCleaning GlasswareUnattended Operation of EquipmentFume Hoods and VentilationRefrigeratorsRadioactive MaterialsWorking AloneUse of ChemicalsRoutes of ExposureMaterial Safety Data SheetsChemical LabelsChemical StorageGuidelines for separating incompatible chemicals:Transporting ChemicalsChemical DisposalReferencesQuestionsLaboratory SafetyIntroductionSafety is a collective responsibility that requires the full cooperation of everyone in the laboratory. However, the ultimate responsibility for safety rests with the person carrying out a given procedure. In the case of an academic laboratory, that person is usually the student. Accidents often result from an indifferent attitude, failure to use common sense, or failure to follow instructions. Each student should be aware of what the other students are doing because all can be victims of one individual's mistake. Do not hesitate to point out to other students that they are engaging in unsafe practices or operations. If necessary,report it to the instructor. In the final assessment, students have the greatest responsibility to ensure their own personal safety.This guide provides a list of do's and don'ts to minimize safety and health problemsassociated with experimental laboratory work. It also provides, where possible, the ideasand concepts that underlie the practical suggestions. However, the reader is expected tobecome involved and to contribute to the overall solutions. The following are generalguidelines for all laboratory workers:1) Follow all safety instructions carefully.2) Become thoroughly acquainted with the location and use of safety facilities such assafety showers, exits and eyewash fountains.3) Become familiar with the hazards of the chemicals being used, and know the safetyprecautions and emergency procedures before undertaking any work.4) Become familiar with the chemical operations and the hazards involved beforebeginning an operation.Personal ProtectionEye ProtectionAll people in the laboratory including visitors must wear eye protection at all times,even when not performing a chemical operation. Wearing of contact lenses in thelaboratory is normally forbidden because contact lenses can hold foreign materialsagainst the cornea. Furthermore, they may be difficult to remove in the case of a splash.Soft contact lenses present a particular hazard because they can absorb and retainchemical vapors. If the use of contact lenses is required for therapeutic reasons fittedgoggles must also be worn. In addition, approved standing shields and face shields thatprotect the neck and ears as well as the face should be used when appropriate for work atreduced pressure or where there is a potential for explosions, implosions or splashing.Normal prescription eyeglasses, though meeting the Food and Drug Administration'sstandards for shatter resistance, do not provide appropriate laboratory eye protection.ClothingClothing worn in the laboratory should offer protection from splashes and spills,should be easily removable in case of accident, and should be at least fire resistant.Nonflammable, nonporous aprons offer the most satisfactory and the least expensiveprotection. Lab jackets or coats should have snap fasteners rather than buttons so thatthey can be readily removed.High-heeled or open-toed shoes, sandals, or shoes made of woven material should notbe worn in the laboratory. Shorts, cutoffs and miniskirts are also inappropriate. Long hairand loose clothing should be constrained. Jewelry such as rings, bracelets, and watchesshould not be worn in order to prevent chemical seepage under the jewelry, contact withelectrical sources, catching on equipment, and damage to the jewelry.GlovesGloves can serve as an important part of personal protection when they are usedcorrectly. Check to ensure the absence of cracks or small holes in the gloves before eachuse. In order to prevent the unintentional spread of chemicals, gloves should be removedbefore leaving the work area and before handling such things as telephones, doorknobs,writing instruments, computers, and laboratory notebooks. Gloves may be reused,cleaned, or discarded, consistent with their use and contamination.A wide variety of gloves is available to protect against chemical exposure. Because thepermeability of gloves of the same or similar material varies from manufacturer tomanufacturer, no specific recommendations are given here. Be aware that if a chemicaldiffuses through a glove, that chemical is held against the worker's hand and theindividual may then be more exposed to the chemical than if the glove had not beenworn.Personal HygieneEveryone working in a chemistry laboratory should be aware of the dangers ofingesting chemicals. These common sense precautions will minimize the possibility ofsuch exposure:1) Do not prepare, store (even temporarily), or consume food or beverages in anychemical laboratory.2) Do not smoke in any chemical laboratory. Additionally, be aware that tobaccoproducts in opened packages can absorb chemical vapors.3) Do not apply cosmetics in a laboratory.4) Wash hands and arms thoroughly before leaving the laboratory, even if gloves havebeen worn.5) Wash separately from personal laundry, lab coats or jackets on which chemicals havebeen spilled.6) Never wear or bring lab coats or jackets into areas where food is consumed.7) Never pipette by mouth. Always use a pipette aid or suction bulb.Laboratory ProtocolThe chemistry laboratory is a place for serious learning and working. Horseplay cannotbe tolerated. Variations in procedures including changes in quantities or reagents may bedangerous. Such alterations may only be made with the knowledge and approval of theinstructor.HousekeepingIn the laboratory and elsewhere, keeping things clean and neat generally leads to asafer environment. Avoid unnecessary hazards by keeping drawers and cabinets closedwhile working. Never store materials, especially chemicals, on the floor, eventemporarily. Work spaces and storage areas should be kept clear of broken