Safety Rules for the General Chemistry Laboratory

Potential hazards exist in all chemical laboratories and some can cause serious accidents. Fortunately,
most accidents can be prevented if each person in the lab observes a set of common sense precautions and
follows proper experimental procedures. The following rules are to be adhered to at all times. Lab
instructors, any Chemistry Department faculty or staff, and any Environmental Health and Safety Office
staff are authorized to deduct points from lab grades or to expel from the laboratory anyone found
violating these rules at their discretion.

1. The primary responsibility for safety lies with the individual student, who must make efforts to
understand the tasks he/she is being asked to perform and to become acquainted with the safety
information provided in the lab and by the instructor.
2. Read the entire lab handout as well as any supplementary related material and complete all required prelab
work before coming to lab. Make sure you know how to proceed safely. How will you handle hot
glassware that must be moved? What kinds of hazards do the chemicals being used present? Anything that
needs to be handled with particular care will be noted in the handout and/or the lab lecture, but you should
also be thinking through the procedure and asking yourself what could go wrong and how will you avoid
it.
3. Safety glasses with side shields or goggles (ANSI z87 certified) must be worn at all times in the laboratory
to guard against laboratory accidents of others as well as your own. Normal prescription glasses are not
considered safety glasses; it is required to wear safety eye protection over prescription glasses or contacts.

4. Per current UNH policies, face masks must be worn in all labs.
5. Closed-toe shoes that completely cover your feet, and allow you to move safely in the lab, are required.
Bare feet, sandals, high heels, anything with open toes or any cut-outs, ballet flats, clogs, etc. are
prohibited.

6. Disposable gloves are available in the labs and should be worn whenever handling chemicals. Glove-free
hands are acceptable when working on the lab computer or writing in your notebook, but should otherwise
generally be worn throughout the lab.
7. Appropriate clothing is required at all times while in the lab. No large areas of skin can be exposed. Avoid
loose clothing that may catch on equipment, fall into chemicals, or constitute a trip hazard.
a. Long pants are required; legs must be completely covered down to the ankle. Shorts, skirts, and
cropped pants are prohibited.
b. Lab coats (80/20 poly/cotton blend, ¾ length, snap closure) must be worn while working in the
lab.
i. You will be issued a lab coat at the first day of in person labs.
ii. At the end of each lab period, lab coats must be folded inside out and stored inside a
closed plastic bag labeled for transportation. Lab coats may not be worn outside of the
lab rooms at any time.
8. Tie back or pin up long hair.
9. Keep all aisles clear. Work with your drawers closed. Place book bags and jackets on hanging racks near
the door or in the cupboard at your lab station.
10. No portable electronic devices should be operated in the laboratory, including, but not limited to, cellular
phones, laptop or tablet computers, or iPods. Step out into the hallway if you need to use the phone.
Calculators may be used when needed, but should be used with caution to avoid contamination.
11. No unauthorized or unsupervised work may be performed.
 a. Do not change the designated procedure without the advice of your instructor.
b. No chemistry experiments may be carried out without the supervision of an instructor.
c. Do not enter the lab unless or until an instructor is present.
12. Report any accident, regardless how minor, to the laboratory instructor immediately. Within 24 hours, an
Accident/Illness/InjuryReport must be filled out online at http://cems.unh.edu.
13. Inform your instructor of any broken glassware immediately. Broken glass must be cleaned up using a
broom and dustpan. Dispose of any broken glassware or any glassware with a stress crack in the broken
glassware box.
14. Whenever your skin comes into contact with laboratory chemicals, wash it quickly and thoroughly with
soap and water. Use the eye-wash fountain to flush chemicals from the eyes or face. Do not rub the
affected area, especially the face or eyes, with your hands before washing.
15. Never put anything in your mouth while in the lab. No eating, drinking or gum chewing in the laboratory.
No food or beverages may be brought into the lab.
16. Memorize locations of exits and safety equipment: fire extinguishers, safety showers, eyewash stations and
first aid kits. Be prepared to use this equipment properly.
17. If a chemical is spilled over a large part of the body, use the safety shower to flood the affected area with
water for at least 15 minutes. Remove all contaminated clothing. Seek medical attention.
18. Handle all chemicals with caution.
a. Read labels carefully.
b. Use only what is needed.
c. Return chemicals to their proper location as soon as possible.
d. Do not let chemicals contact your skin. If this happens, wash area immediately.
e. Clean up spills immediately. If you have any questions on clean-up procedure, ask your
instructor.
f. Label all containers of chemicals.
g. Never take materials outside the laboratory.
h. Avoid breathing chemical fumes, as a sniff of the wrong substance could have serious
consequences. Use fume hoods when chemical fumes are being generated.
i. Keep flammable solvents away from open flames and hotplates.
19. Dispose of any type of waste properly, as directed by your laboratory instructor. No hazardous chemicals
may be poured in the sink.
20. Only use equipment in good condition. Report any equipment problems to your TA.
21. Clean and sanitize your work area at the beginning and end of each lab period, and clean your glassware,
sinks and any equipment you used at the end of the laboratory session. Put everything away where it
belongs.
22. Wash your hands before leaving the laboratory; toxic chemicals may be transferred to the mouth.
 I have read the Safety Rules for the General Chemistry Laboratory and I understand them.

I understand that ultimately I am responsible for my own safety.

I agree to follow these rules and any other safety instructions provided by the course instructors, and to
bring any safety concerns to the attention of the instructors immediately.

I understand that failing to follow any safety rules or instructions provided for the General Chemistry lab
courses will result in a deduction of points from my lab grade, or dismissal from the laboratory.

Name (printed) _____________________________________ Course __________________

Signature __________________________________ Date __________