Laboratory Safety

This Laboratory Safety Guide was developed to assist those working in University of New England laboratories by providing information on maintaining a safe laboratory and complying with environmental and safety regulations.

Plan your Work

• Before conducting any experiment, you should access the hazards related to the work, including what are the worst possible things that could go wrong; how to deal with them; and what are the prudent practices, protective facilities, and equipment necessary to minimize the risk of exposure to the hazards.
• Always know the hazards of the materials used (e.g., corrosivity, flammability, reactivity, and toxicity).
• Read the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for information on all chemicals you plan to use. Make sure all Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is on hand. Use the SDS to select the needed equipment.
• Post emergency contact numbers by the laboratory door or phone using an EHS Emergency Contact Card. To obtain a card please contact EHS.
  • Lab Emergency Contact Card (PDF)
• Inspect equipment and apparatus for weaknesses, cracks or damage before beginning work.
• Inspect electrical equipment and cords for frayed wiring or damage before use. Discard or repair damaged equipment before use.

Follow all Safety Procedures

• Always wear chemical splash goggles for eye protection when working with chemicals.
• When pouring large quantities of hazardous chemicals, in addition to goggles, wear a face shield large enough to protect your ears and neck as well as your face.
• Always wear gloves when handling chemicals. Select the glove material based on compatibility with the chemicals you may contact.
• Always wear appropriate clothing: chemically resistant lab coats or aprons are recommended.
• Do not wear shorts or miniskirts (anything that would leave your legs bare and unprotected). Do not wear high-heeled shoes, open-toed/heeled shoes, sandals, or shoes made of woven materials. Confine long hair and loose clothing.
• Do not work with hazardous chemicals or processes when alone in the laboratory. An instructor must supervise undergraduate students at all times.
• Always use chemicals with adequate ventilation or in a chemical fume hood. Do not allow the release of toxic substances in cold rooms or warm rooms, since these areas have contained, re-circulated air.
• Use chemicals only as directed and for their intended purpose.
• Never use mouth suction to fill a pipette or siphon. Use a pipette bulb or other suitable device.
• Handle needles, syringes, and other sharps carefully. Use self-sheathing needles or needless systems whenever possible. Dispose of all sharps in an appropriate sharps container.
• Do not dispose of chemicals down the drain. Most chemicals must be disposed of as hazardous waste.
• Compressed gas cylinders must be secured to prevent them from being knocked over. Cylinders must be capped when the regulator is removed or not in use.
• Inspect the lab weekly for hazardous conditions.
• Shield or wrap pressurized or evacuated equipment (dewars and vacuum flasks).

Know Emergency Procedures

• Know where the nearest emergency eyewash and showers are and how to use them.
• Know at least two exits from the laboratory area in case of an emergency.
• In the event of an emergency, pull the nearest "Pull BOX," evacuate the area, and close all doors.

Practice Good Housekeeping and Personal Hygiene

• Avoid direct contact with any chemical.
• Never smell, inhale or taste laboratory chemicals.
• Always wash hands and arms with soap and water after removing gloves and before leaving the work area.
• Never eat, drink, chew gum or tobacco, smoke or apply cosmetics in the laboratory.
• Do not pick up broken glass with your hands. Use a dust pan and brush or another appropriate tool.
• Remove Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as gloves and lab coats before leaving the lab.
• Remove gloves before handling common items like phones, instruments, door knobs, etc.
• Keep all work areas clean and uncluttered. Wipe down benches with cleaners or disinfectants regularly.
• Do not block emergency showers, eye washes, exits or hallways.

Transport Chemicals Safely

• Use secondary containers such as acid buckets or plastic totes.
• Secure containers on carts.
• Wear appropriate PPE.
• Limit access in passenger elevators.
• Use a hand truck with a safety chain when moving compressed gas cylinders.

Unattended Operations

• Provide for containment of materials in the event of spills or failures.
• Label all containers and process equipment.
• Post emergency numbers on the lab door.

Report Dangerous Activities and Situations

• Report all accidents, no matter how minor.
• Never perform unauthorized work, preparations or experiments.
• Never engage in horseplay, pranks or other acts of mischief in laboratories.
• Never remove chemicals from the facility without proper authorization.
• Report hazardous conditions to EHS.
• Report suspicious people or activities in lab areas to Safety and Security.

Laboratory Safety Inspections

Each lab should conduct regular self-inspections of their areas to ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and to familiarize new staff with the location of safety equipment.

EHS is continuing to inspect all labs on campus. The inspections will cover general safety, chemical safety, hazardous waste, biological safety and radiation safety.

EHS will be using the UNE Laboratory Inspection Checklist (PDF) to inspect your lab.

A Lab Rules Posting provided by EHS is standard in every laboratory on both campuses. The postings can be found in PDF form below:

• Lab Rules Posting (PDF)
• MSC Lab Rules Posting (PDF)