Laboratory Code of Conduct

The Environmental Science Laboratory (Laboratory Opening Time: 9.00 to 17.00, Friday & Saturday Off) is
managed by the Laboratory Manager which reports to the Head of Department,
Environmental Science, SESM, IUB. Before starting work in the Laboratory, students must
read the following guidelines and submit to the Laboratory Manager after signature of
student, their faculty/supervisor and the Head of the Environmental Science Department

After completion of laboratory work at the end of their project, a work completion letter (Lab
Clearance Form-ESL002) will need to be taken form the Laboratory Manager.

General Guidelines:

1. Students must fill in and submit their “Requirement Form -ESL001” before starting work in
the Laboratory. The “Requirement Form” will also need to be signed by the student’s faculty/
supervisor.

2. Students must perform only those experiments or works authorized by their faculty/
supervisor. If students want to do other or extra work in the laboratory, then they will need a
written permission of the Head of the Department

3. After getting the necessary permission, students will get a desk or working space in the lab
where they will work and can keep their laboratory items. The student will be held responsible
if a laboratory item is missing from the desk or is broken/destroyed.

4. Students must always keep their work space clean. Students are also responsible for
cleaning any other area that they work in the laboratory; for example, the area where the
balance is kept, the area around the spectrophotometer etc.

5. Students must record their attendance on arrival and on leaving the laboratory in the
attendance book placed at the entrance of the laboratory. Any visitors to the lab should get
permission from the Head of Department or any higher authority and should also sign the
visitor’s book.

6. Students will receive operating procedures for all applicable laboratory safety equipment
and personal protective equipment from the Laboratory Manager.

7. Students must follow all verbal and written instructions carefully. If students are unsure of
the procedure, they are asked to contact their faculty/ supervisors/ Laboratory Manager and
his staff for help before proceeding.

8. Students should always behave in a mature and responsible manner in the laboratory.
Students must not engage in unnecessary gossip with each other or the laboratory staff. Use
of mobile phones or other electronic devices that are not related to lab activities will have to
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be limited while working in the lab.

9. Students should not touch any equipment or chemicals unless specifically instructed to do
so.

10. Students must not eat, drink, apply cosmetics or chew gum in the laboratory. Wash
hands thoroughly after participating in any laboratory activities.

11. Students friends, relatives and other people not related to their laboratory activities are
not allowed into the laboratory. The Laboratory Manager has the responsibility of maintaining
safety in lab and has the authority to refuse entry to any individual into the Environmental
Science Laboratory.

12. Use of personal notebook and laboratory computers in the lab is strictly for research-
related work only. Unlawful downloading, printing, computer gaming and work-unrelated
surfing are forbidden.

Handling Lab Chemicals & Instruments:

13. A log book is provided to record the usage of each instrument. The log book is placed
beside each instrument. Attempt to alter or remove records in the log book is a serious
offence.

14. Students must never enter the laboratory storage room or preparation areas unless
accompanied by a faculty / supervisor / laboratory staff.

15. Students must wear eye protection glass whenever chemicals, heat or glassware are
used by either the faculty/ supervisor or students in the laboratory. Students should always
wear appropriate personal apparel in the laboratory and avoid wearing loose or flammable
clothing; long hair should be tied back.

16. Students must never point a test tube or reaction vessel of any type toward another
person.

17. Students must immediately report any incident (including all spills, breakages or other
releases of hazardous materials) to the laboratory personnel, no matter how insignificant it
may appear. This should include all injuries such as cuts, burns or other signs of physical
harm. In case of an accident students who fail to report immediately may be held responsible
for property damage and personal herms leading to financial compensation and/or legal
action.

18. Students must never remove or take chemicals, equipment or supplies from the other’s
desk or other laboratory areas.

19. All prepared chemicals or solvents and wastes are to be labelled properly and stored in
the specified place in the laboratory. Different solvents or chemicals cannot be mixed in the
same waste bottle or bins. Improper solvents or chemicals waste mixing may lead to fire or
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explosion. If there is confusion, contact the laboratory staff.

20. Students must carefully examine all equipment before each use and report any broken or
defective equipment to the Laboratory Manager immediately.

21. After using chemicals (solid, liquid or gas), the lid of the bottle or container of the
chemicals must be tightly closed. The lid cannot be kept open.
22. All laboratory equipment must be switched off at the end of experiments and/or lab
activities or before leaving the lab. If in doubt as to how to turn an equipment off or weather
you can leave it on (for overnight experiments), consult the Laboratory Manager for
instructions.

Dealing with Fire Emergencies

23. Students will make themselves aware of the location of all exits and safety equipment
(fire extinguishers, fire aid kits hand wash station)

24. Students must inform the laboratory staff when they use a spirit lamp, Bunsen burner or
hot plate in the laboratory. A student can never leave an exposed flame or hot plate
unattended.

25. In case of a fire, the student will immediately inform the Laboratory Manager or
Laboratory staff. The student will then leave the laboratory immediately. The Laboratory
Manager will do what is necessary to tackle the crisis. Normal activities in the lab will resume
only after the Laboratory Manager gives permission to do so. The student is not allowed to
deal with any fire incident by themselves. This is because different types of fire in a laboratory
requires different procedures which only the Laboratory Manager is trained to tackle.

Response to Violation of the Laboratory Code of Conduct:

Offense: The faculties, supervisors and laboratory staff will review any violations of the
rules with the student. If it is a serious violation which may have caused harm
to human health or the environment, the Administration of the University, the
Parent or Guardian will also be notified. Student may be suspended from
laboratory work immediately and sent to the administrative office with a
disciplinary referral from the faculty/supervisor/ laboratory staff

In case of a serious breach of rules, the student may be suspended from

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Student Agreement:

I, _____________________________
(student’s name & ID),

have read and understood the Laboratory Safety Code of Conduct set forth above. I
understand that I must obey all these rules to ensure my own safety and that of my fellow
students and others working in lab. I will fully cooperate with my faculty/supervisor/laboratory
staff and fellow students to maintain a safe working environment in the laboratory. I am aware
that violations of this safety code will result in disciplinary action as specified above.

___________________________________ ___________________
Student’s name & Mobile No.
Date

Note to Faculties/ Supervisors:

We believe you should be informed regarding our laboratory’s efforts to create and maintain a
safe science classroom & laboratory environment. Safety awareness involves the
cooperation of students and faculty/supervisor. Please read this Laboratory Code of Conduct
which details the safety concerns and expected student behaviors in the laboratory. No
student will be permitted to perform laboratory activities unless their faculty/supervisor’s signs
the code and returns it to the Laboratory Manager. Your signature below indicates that you
have read this Code of Conduct, are aware of the measures taken to ensure the safety of
your student in the Environmental Science Laboratory and will encourage your students to
uphold the agreement to follow these rules and procedures.

______________________________
___________________
Faculty / Supervisor’s Name
Date

______________________________ __________________
Signature of the Head of Department Date
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