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Laboratory Safety
Guide

®1995

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Overall safety in the lab is Every Lab User's responsibility. Each individual has an obligation to maintain, to the best of their ability, a safe work environment. It is suggested that one method of maintaining a safe work place is to actively incorporate these safety practices into your laboratory activities. As a guide, these practices will help identify potential hazards in the lab, and will provide a reminder of routine safety requirements.

The Laboratory Safety Guide incorporates both general guidelines as well as more in-depth information about specific laboratory safety practices. Please refer to the Table of Contents for topics of interest to you or which pertain to your laboratory. Remember, if you can't find an answer, the staff at the Department of Environmental Safety (DES) will try to help you. Please call us at (301) 405-3960, email at safety@umd.edu, or stop by our office.

Acknowledgements

We would especially like to acknowledge the University of Virginia Office of Environmental Health and Safety for generously providing the framework for this document.

Safety Checklist for Laboratory Users

Please read the following questions and think carefully about your answers.

1. Do you wash your hands before leaving the laboratory?
2. Do you wear appropriate attire in the laboratory (lab coat, safety goggles, gloves, shoes)?
3. Are the appropriate hazard signs and emergency numbers posted on the outside of the laboratory door?
4. Are all containers in your lab properly labeled? Do you know how to interpret these labels?
5. Do you know where to find Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) for all chemicals used in your laboratory?
6. Are the chemicals in your lab properly stored?
7. Have you been instructed in the proper use and handling of the chemicals in your laboratory?
8. Have you been instructed in the location and use of safety devices (safety showers, eye washes, laboratory hoods, etc.) in your laboratory?
9. Are you aware of emergency procedures in the event of a chemical exposure, spill, fire or explosion?
10. Do you know how to properly segregate and dispose of chemicals you will use?
11. Are all mechanical engineering controls (e.g., fume hoods) operating properly?
12. Do you know who to notify if working in a laboratory alone after normal hours?
13. Have you attended Chemical Hygiene Plan training provided by DES?
14. Have you attended laboratory specific training provided by your Laboratory Supervisor?
15. Do you know where your laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) are stored and how to use them?
16. Are you familiar with the protocol you are following? Do you feel comfortable performing the procedure without additional information or demonstration?

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