CHAPTER ONE SAFETY IN A BIOCHEMISTRY LABORATORY Introduction Despite the many accidents that happen in laboratories, the subject of safety is often ignored in many laboratories. The fact remains that laboratories are quite dangerous because all users (and visitors) of a laboratory are exposed to a certain level of hazard and are, therefore, at the risk of being injured. Standard practice thus demands that any person entering a laboratory is made to be aware of the possible hazards. Thus visitors, workers and users of any laboratory must_first familiarize themselves with essential safety features in the laboratory. ‘These include the location of emergency taps and showers (in case of a chemical burn), fire extinguishers (in case of fire), the location of other first aid tools and finally, the location of escape routes or emergency exists (in case the need for evacuation arises). Where applicable, the location of emergency telephones should also be identified (in case the need to make an emergency phone call, e.g., for the ambulance service arises), Because of the importance of safety, the first class has been designed to make the students familiar with the many precautions they must take to avert any accidents and what procedures to follow to minimize any harm in case of an accident. In subsequent classes, when they have to make use of some potentially harmful reagents, chemicasls, e.g., acids, and equipment. e.g., the Bunsen bumers, the specific hazards and the relevant precautions to be taken will be highlighted in italics. Safety Signs Standard signs, which can be easily identified, have been developed over the years to serve as quick reminders of the hazards to be mindful of in a particular situation. The signs now have near universal acceptance irrespective of the language differences across the globe. Thus, a Nigerian who suddenly finds himself in a Japanese laboratory will have no difficulties understanding the safety signs on display. It is important that users of a laboratory indicated in black letters or symbols on yellow background, while emergencies are indicated with white letters or symbols on green background, Table 1.1 contains a further description of these safety signs, while Table 1.2 contains a list of common laboratory clothing, when to wear them and the benefits of wearing them