Introduction Each lab is faced with different hazards.

There
Laboratory safety is the key to reducing injury and could be exposure to biological, chemical, or radioactive
illness. There are many exposures in the laboratory that material, which may pose a variety of physical and/or
pose a hazard to your health and you may have never health hazards.
considered them as a hazard before. It is important that you  A biological hazard includes an organism or material
are aware of the potential dangers that may threaten your of biological origin that could potentially cause harm to
health or life. humans, animals, or plants.
 Chemicals can pose a significant hazard.
Introduction to the Laboratory  They should be limited to the use under a properly
Let’s Get Started! working fume hood.
Working in a laboratory can be an exciting experience.  Chemicals can release hazardous fumes which not
 It can also pose many threats and hazards that a only harm the environment, but they can be a major
traditional classroom does not. health threat.
 That is why it is important to know your surroundings.  They must be handled carefully and disposed of
Know where the exits to your room are. properly.
 Your supervisor will go over the emergency action plan
including the escape route procedures for your room. Lab Safety
The following guidelines have been established to
Know Your Surroundings minimize the hazards in a laboratory setting. It is
important to take responsibility for your actions and to
 It is also recommended to be aware of the fire keep in mind that irresponsible acts could have lasting
extinguishers in location to your laboratory. future effects.
 Campus personnel are highly encouraged to not fight As the hazards increase, the risks increase, and the
fires. In the event of a fire, the first response is to responsibility must increase.
evacuate the area and notify the fire department!
 Do not wait any longer than necessary to call, time is of Lab Attire
essence!
 Know where the fire alarm is in proximity to your  No open-toed shoes
laboratory. Is it right down the hall or is it in the stairwell  No shorts unless a lab coat is used
 Many laboratories contain hazardous substances.  Restrain hair when working with hazardous materials
A hazardous substance is defined as a  Remove protective clothing in public
material/substance that poses a physical or health  Use the proper Personal Protective Equipment for the
hazard. This includes both chemicals and biological job
agents.
 A Biohazard is defined as any organism that is capable Personal Habits
of replication and is capable of causing disease in human,  Do not eat, drink, smoke, chew gum or apply
animal or plant. cosmetics, or remove/insert contact lenses while in the
 There are differences between a physical hazard and a laboratory
health hazard. Let’s take a look.  Do not store food or beverages in the lab or in
A health hazard has the following characteristics: chemical refrigerator
 Carcinogen  Do not mouth pipette
 Toxic or highly toxic  Wash hands before leaving laboratory or after
 Reproductive Toxins handling contaminated material
 Irritants
 Corrosives…etc Safe Practices
A physical hazard has the following characteristics: These safe practices should be followed to ensure
 Explosive safe working conditions:
 Flammable  Do not use chipped or cracked glassware
 Oxidizer  When working with hazardous materials, have a
 Organic peroxide second person nearby
 Compressed gas  Know emergency procedures
 Combustible liquid  Keep the laboratory neat and clean
 Unstable (Reactive)  Use hazardous chemicals under a fume hood and
 Water-reactive biohazardous materials under a biosafety cabinet
 When physical hazards and health hazards exist, it is (BSC)
very important to know where the eye wash/safety  Decontaminate as needed
shower is located. Unexpected accidents do occur and  All procedures should be performed to minimize
knowing where to go at the time of an emergency can aerosol
reduce injury/illness.  Never perform unauthorized experiments
Know Your Surroundings  No food or drink in the lab
 First aid kits have a variety of quick relief items  Never remove chemicals or equipment from the lab
 If more than first aid is needed, it is recommended to go  Never use chemicals from unlabeled container
to Student Health Services for further treatment.  With heating test tubes: Never point the mouth of test
 In an event that would require more than first aid to be tubes or Erlenmeyer flask at yourself or another
treated, report it to the EHS office within the next 24 person, always direct the mouth away from people
hours.  Never heat a closed container
 When there are chemical, biological, or radioactive  Keep flammable substances from heat sources
agents being used, an emergency spill kit should be  Clean up spills immediately
available
 Each laboratory has a telephone in a designated area for
use. The emergency contact numbers are posted near
the phone in every laboratory on ISU campus.
Know What Hazards are Present
Hazards in your Lab
 Begin first aid immediately

 Report all injuries to your instructor