Lab Safety Orientation

Northern Virginia Community College

Manassas Campus

Kristina Boberg, Laboratory Manager

Why do we Need Lab Safety Rules?

• NOVA Biology labs are regulated by the government, including the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910.1450: Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories.

• Failure to comply by the safety rules outlined in our safety regulations may result in the closure of NOVA labs and the payment of sizable fine.

• But most importantly, we want students, faculty, and staff to learn, teach, and work in a safe environment.

There is a copy of the Biology Lab Safety Procedures and Policies posted near the entrance of each lab, and it is posted on Blackboard. Please read through the entire form for information regarding emergency situations and instructions.

First Things First: Know your Surroundings…

Know the locations of the following:•Evacuation Route Map

•MSDS Information

•Eye Wash

•Emergency Gas Shutoff

•Fire Blanket

•Fire Extinguisher

•Safety Shower

•First Aid Kits

•Exits

If There is an Emergency:

For fire, major chemical spill or emergency, dial

9-911

from a campus phone.

To reach Campus police, dial 4-4444 from campus phone, or 703-764-5000 from a cell phone. A panic button is also available on the phones in the labs. Press the button, and wait for the return call from

the police. Tell them the emergency, and which room you are in.

More Emergency Information:

• If you are on fire, STOP, DROP, AND ROLL. Someone will assist you with the fire blanket.

• In case of electric shock, use a belt or nonconductive material to move the person away from the wires or equipment, and call for help.

• Only minor cuts and burns will be treated on-site in the lab. Any serious burns or injuries will be treated in a medical facility.

• If there is a chemical spill on your hands, flush with water immediately. For spills on your person, immediately stand under the safety shower and pull the handle. The room will be evacuated, and someone of your gender will stay with you as you disrobe.

• If you get chemicals in your eyes, hold your eyes open in the eyewash for at least 15 minutes. Someone will assist you.

Use Your PPE

Personal Protective Equipment is an integral part of lab safety. It helps shield your eyes, hands and body from injuries, chemicals, or microorganisms during lab activities.

• Lab apron or coat: Protects you from splashes and spills of chemicals or fluids. Also keeps dirt and debris off of clothes.

• Safety Goggles: Use when directed to keep chemicals and microorganisms away from eyes, and protects eyes from injury due to accidents with glassware.

• Gloves: Nitrile or vinyl (no latex!), and will protect your hands from spills, splashes, or microorganisms used lab.

All of these are available for purchase in the College Bookstore. For safety reasons, only disposable lab coats and aprons can be used by students.

Proper Disposal Procedures:Never dispose of anything in lab without prior direction from the instructor.

Hazardous chemical waste containers are located in designated lab areas which may include in the chemical hood. Special precautions are to be followed in all laboratories using any body fluids, such as blood, saliva, and urine, because of the potential to transmit disease-causing organisms. Always follow all instructions carefully and use gloves and goggles in all laboratory experiments that involve the use of body fluids. All contaminated material, toothpicks, lancets, alcohol swabs, etc., must be placed in an appropriate biohazard container for proper disposal and should never be reused. Slides, coverslips, and culture tubes must be placed in appropriate containers and racks for sterilization.

If glass breaks, it must be disposed of in the broken glass container.

No samples of body fluids or specimens are to be brought into the laboratory from outside sources.You are responsible for cleaning up your lab station before you leave lab for that day. This includes properly disposing of waste, putting away any unused materials, and wiping down your lab bench and instruments that you have used. You should wash your hands before leaving the lab.

Safety Rules for Lab

The following slides contain General Safety Rules, which must be followed. Note that any violations of these rules by students will result in immediate dismissal from class, and, under continued violations, expulsion from lab.

These rules are meant to ensure the safety of students, instructors, and staff. You will be signing an agreement during your first lab session, so please pay attention to the procedures and policies.

Don’t put that in your mouth!

Why?We work with chemicals, microbes, soils, and live specimens in the labs. You don’t know what’s on the benches, or what might be left behind from other classes—you really don’t want that stuff in your mouth!

• EATING, DRINKING, SMOKING, APPLYING COSMETICS OR LIP BALM IS PROHIBITEDin the laboratory. Food, drinks (even in closed containers) are not to be brought into the lab. Chewing gum is not allowed.

Cover up!• Shoulders, midriffs, legs, and feet must be covered

with clothing while working in the laboratory. No shorts are allowed. Pants cannot have large holes and must be full-length. Lacy/sheer/open-weave shirts are not permitted. Lab aprons or coats must be worn during experiments, but not worn outside of the lab.

• Students with contact lenses must wear goggles during experiments with microorganisms.

Why?We work microorganisms, and also with acids, bases, and chemicals that can irritate your skin, or be corrosive, or may stain your skin or clothing. Being fully covered and wearing a lab apron provides a protective barrier against minor splashes and spills. Not wearing the apron or coat outside of lab minimizes contamination. Goggles will keep bacteria from growing on and under your contact lenses.

Keep Your Hair Back.

• Long hair must be tied back during laboratory sessions.

• Why? If you’re working with flame, you can catch hair on fire. Also, if you’re working with microorganisms or chemicals, these can get in or on your hair, and that can be dangerous.

Cover up Your Feet!

•Open toed, backless, or open-top shoes are prohibited. The entire surface of the foot must be covered.

Know how to leave.

• Identify the location of all exits from the laboratories and from the building. Maps are posted near the exits in the labs.

In case of an emergency requiring evacuation (not a shelter-in-place

emergency), you will need to know where the exits are. Maps with a are

posted by the lab doors for your safety.

Put your belongings where they belong.

• All backpacks, bags, and purses must be stored on the provided shelves under the lab benches, off the floor and out of the aisles. Due to potential contamination, purses, bags, and backpacks should not be placed on the lab benches.

Why? Trips and falls are account for a large number of lab injuries. Having bags out of the traffic areas can prevent accidents.

If the previous class didn’t sanitize properly, putting your belongings on the bench can contaminate your stuff, and the bacteria on the bottom of your bags can contaminate the bench surface if you’ve already sanitized it.

If you see (or smell, or break, or spill) something, say something.

• Report all injuries, dizziness, faintness, spills, breakage of glass or other items, unsafe conditions, unusual odors (such as gas), and accidents of any kind, no matter how minor, to the instructor immediately.

Why?

Even very minor injuries or accidents need to be reported. Any spills, broken glass or equipment can pose a risk, and must be dealt with quickly and correctly.

Odors, such as natural gas, or vapors from chemicals, can be very dangerous. These need to be reported immediately.

Keep the Drains Clear.

• Keep sinks free of paper, coverslips or any debris that could interfere with drainage.

Why?

We don’t want the lab flooding. Also, coverslips in the sink pose an injury risk, and can lead to infection if you try to take them out of the drain.

Please be courteous—don’t leave things in the sink.

Protect your Personal Items

• Lab tables must be clear of all personal items that are not necessary for the lab exercise.

• Cell phone use in lab is allowed only by instructor permission. Cell phones are not to be used or be on the lab benches while working with bacteria and microorganisms.

Why? Getting chemicals, microorganisms, soil, or other contaminants on your personal items poses a health hazard. You don’t want to get anything hazardous on your phone, since it comes into contact with your hands and face. If you’re working with bacteria, don’t have out what can’t be autoclaved or sanitized with liquid disinfectant.

Use Good Judgment.

• Work carefully and cautiously in the laboratory, using common sense and good judgment at all times.

• Inform the instructor prior to lab if you have a personal situation which may make this lab unsafe for you or others.

Remember to be cautious around chemicals, heat, sharp objects, and potentially hazardous situations. Above all else,

if you are not sure. This is Questions are

encouraged.

Thank you, and Have a Safe Semester!

If you have any questions, be sure to ask your instructor. Please read over the rules again before signing the

Safety Agreement.