General Safety Guidelines for Labs

  1. Food and Drink are NOT allowing in the lab at any time. This includes the wastebasket! Please step outside the classroom if you need to have a drink and dispose of all food waste in the trash cans outside the classroom.
  2. Appropriate clothing and close-toed shoes are required at all times. Wear clothing that protects your skin from chemical exposure. Flip-flops and sandals are NOT allowed. Students will be asked to leave and receive an unexcused absence if they do not of the appropriate footwear.
  3. Safety glasses and gloves are available and are required when instructed by the TA. Gloves and goggles are always available for student use if desired.
  4. An evacuation plan is posted on the door of each lab room. Familiarize yourself with this and make sure you understand the route to leave the building and meeting place for your class outside of the building (such as a specific tree). In the case of a fire everyone must leave the building, stay together as a class, and return to the classroom only when the Fire Marshall excuses you.
  5. Accident report forms are in each lab. If you have an accident, report it to the TA and fill out an accident report. Students should go to the student health center with any concerns. There is a first aid kit in each room with basics like bandaids.
  6. If there is an emergency call 911 from any cell phone (or land line in prep room). Clearly state the location and type the emergency. When in doubt call 911.
  7. During particular labs there will be specific waste containers for biological waste, dissected materials, glass and other sharps. Please check with you TA to ensure you put materials in the correct waste disposal.
  8. There are safety showers and eye-wash stations in each lab room. In the case of a chemical exposure to the eyes or body they should be used with the help of your TA.
  9. A safety plan is found in each lab room and MSDS sheets are available for all chemicals used in lab.
  10. Keep lab clean. A cluttered work area increases the risk of accidents.

Animal Care and Use Division - Animal Care and Use Policy

The use of animals is essential to the teaching, extension, and research missions of North Carolina State University. Significant benefits to the health and welfare of both animals and humans have resulted from animal use in research, and continued use is crucial to future advancements. Without the use of animals, adequate instruction of students in many programs such as agriculture, the biological sciences, and veterinary medicine would be impossible. However, those who utilize animals are morally and legally obligated to care for them properly and use them humanely. Each faculty member, staff member, or student involved in the use of animals is directly responsible for promoting and protecting their welfare within the instructional, extension, and research programs of the University. Those who use animals should assume this responsibility through precept and example.

The detailed policy for the proper care and humane use of animals within University programs can be found at:

Reference: The Animal Welfare Assurance #A3331-01 dated October 15, 2002. 7 U.S.C. 2131-2159, CFR 9: 2.17, 2.51, and 371.2(g).

This statement is intended to serve as an identical articulation of the official policy of the NC State Board of Trustees policy on the Use of Animals in Research outlined in Reg 10.10.1 of the Policies and Procedures of the NCSU Board of Trustees.