Basic rules for lab work2011

Basic rules for laboratory work

For your own sake, for others sake and the environment!

  • Localize regularly where emergency showers, eye showers, fire extinguishersare located and how they work. Memorize the emergency route.
  • Wear protective clothing (lab coat/robe), proper shoes (avoid sandals when you work with hot and corroding substances), safety goggles when there is a risk of spatter and safety gloves. NB! Different types of gloves are intended for different purposes.Make sure you don’t contaminate door handles, taps, banisters, telephonesetc. with contaminates gloves. No safety/protectivelab equipmentis allowed in lunchrooms.
  • All containers MUST be labeledwith name, date, chemical, concentration and when needed danger symbol.
  • Store volatile chemicals in ventilated spaces. Storing of volatile chemicals in a fume cupboard is normally not allowed. When you use dangerous chemicals in the fume cupboard use a tray or something else to block that potential spillage reach the drain.
  • Fume cupboardare always used when handling inflammable, poisonous or corroding substances. Close the fume hood and other air suction devises completely when not in use.
  • If you work in a fume cupboard, remember to not block the opening with experiment line-up or other equipment. The air must be able to pass by without any obstacles, otherwise you risk breathing toxic fumes. Also avoid sudden movements creating turbulence near the fume cupboard.
  • The normal safety height when working at a fume benchis 15-20 cm. Never cover up more than 1/3 of the perforated surface and leave a 10 cm wide empty zone in the front edge of the fume bench to provide good protection through sufficient air flow. For cold work only!
  • Sanitation equipment must be available (vermiculite or corresponding) in each lab group in order to handle chemical spills. What do you do with the contaminated vermiculite?
  • Mouth pipetting is, as well as eating and drinking, forbidden in the laboratory. Food must not be stored with chemicals.

Rules for chemicals, gases etc.

  • Storing chemicals

Poisonous chemicals are stored in a locked compartment, but not together with inflammable chemicals

Strongly oxidizing substances are not stored together with inflammable or organic material.

Acids and bases are stored separately.

Cyanides and sulfides are not stored with acids.

Radioactive substances are not stored with inflammable substances.

  • Gas bottles (max 20 liters/tube) are stored chained to a cart to facilitate vacation in case of fire.
  • Chemical waste/residues which are not beyond any doubt safe for the environmental should be sent to destruction as dangerous waste (for more information see website (
  • All accidents and incidentsshall be reported to the person responsible for the lab (corresponding).