Appendix F. Chemistry Department Laboratory Regulations and Safety Policy

Appendix F. Chemistry Department Laboratory Regulations and Safety Policy (Administered to Students at the First Lab Period of Every Chemistry Course)

LYCOMING COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
LABORATORY REGULATIONS
FAILURE TO OBSERVE LABORATORY RULES COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO YOU OR TO ANOTHER STUDENT. STUDENTS NOT COMPLYING WITH THE LABORATORY REGULATIONS MAY BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE LABORATORY AND MAY BE ADVISED TO DROP THE COURSE.

1. You must wear approved safety glasses at all times (see below. )
2. You must confine long hair and wear clothing that covers your legs completely; feet must be completely covered (no sandals, open shoes, etc. )
3. You must not bring food or beverages, apply cosmetics or use tobacco in any form in the lab.
4. You must avoid or minimize skin contact with all chemicals (gloves are available. )
5. You must not do any unauthorized experiments or engage in horseplay.
6. You must know where fire extinguishers and safety wash station are.
7. You must maintain an uncluttered work area at all times. You must hang coats in the space provided and keep aisles between work benches free.
8. You must see that your area is clean at the end of each laboratory period and that common work areas (balances, chemical dispensing areas, etc. ) are kept neat and orderly during the lab period.
9. You must discourage casual visitors; access to the laboratory is restricted to students registered in the course and instructors.
10. You may work in the laboratory outside the scheduled lab period only under the following conditions:

a. There must be an instructor in the building who has given you permission to be there; he/she must also be informed when you leave.
b. You must have a companion in the lab; he/she need not be a chemistry student but must abide by all the laboratory regulations.
c. Condition "b. " may be waived with an instructor's permission if a simple operation, e. g. , a melting point or a weighing is to be done.

11. You must report any accidents immediately to the instructor.
12. You must not remove any chemicals from the laboratory (except to a balance room, instrument, or NMR lab. )
13. You must properly store all equipment and materials and lock drawers and cabinets at the end of the lab period. Equipment left out of drawers will be confiscated by the instructor.
14. You must turn off all gas jets and unplug all electrical equipment at the end of the laboratory period.
15. You must always wash your hands at the end of the laboratory period.
16. Each chemistry laboratory has slightly different safety rules; you must know the rules of the laboratory in which you are working.

LABORATORY SAFETY POLICY AND GENERAL PRACTICE

EYE PROTECTION: Approved safety glasses must be worn every lab period whether or not you are engaged in an experiment. Students who already wear eyeglasses must wear safety glasses over them. Safety glasses must be put on as soon as you open your lab drawer. When you finish your experiment and put your safety glasses away, leave the lab at once.

The instructor has the right to reduce your grade for any rule infraction. For a third offense, the instructor may expel you from the laboratory and give you a zero grade for the experiment.

Contact lenses should not be worn in the laboratory. If a chemical enters the eye, it is trapped against the cornea by the contact lens, increasing the chance of eye damage. Vapors such as NH₃ or HCl are absorbed by some lenses, causing severe irritation or injury. If you choose to wear contact lenses, you must wear approved safety goggles.

CHEMICAL DISPOSAL: Many chemicals, when poured down the sink drains into a municipal sewage plant, interfere with the natural bacterial action of the plant or harm the environment. Thus, you must not pour any chemical into a sink drain without approval. Specific disposal procedures will be given for each experiment including specially labeled receptacles for each toxic waste. If you are unsure about any procedure, ask your instructor.

FIRE ALARMS: In case of a fire alarm, shut off all equipment (gas, electrical and water), leave the building as quickly as possible in an orderly manner, and stand clear of the exits so as not to hinder anyone else's exit. Re-enter the building only when the instructor informs you.

PREGNANCY: The experiments in this course are designed to minimize exposure to harmful substances. However, a pregnant woman and her fetus are especially vulnerable. If you are pregnant or suspect you may be, ask your instructor for a list of chemicals used in the experiments. Show the list to your physician and follow his/her recommendations.

LABORATORY PREPARATION: To work in the laboratory you must be present when the instructor discusses the experiment and any safety problems. Your instructor has the right to exclude you from the lab if you miss the pre-lab session.

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