A. Eye protection:

Eye protection is required for any person in the laboratory. This is strictly enforced! Students who have to be frequently reminded about eye protection will receive poor grades for lab technique, and in extreme cases, they will be dismissed from the course. The required protection for your eyes are goggles. Plastic visitor's glasses are not acceptable because they are easily damaged by the solvents in the laboratory and don’t provide adequate protection against splashes. If you have any questions regarding the requirement for proper eye protection equipment, see the Director of the Organic Labs on the first day of the course.

B. Attire:

You must wear footwear that fully covers your feet.  No sandals!  No open toe shoes.  Since chemicals can damage clothes, it is best to wear clothes that you wouldn’t mind disposing of in case they are damaged.  We strongly recommend that you wear a shirt that covers the entire torso with no exposed skin at the waist.  Shorts are allowed in the lab.

A. Chemical Hazards

Read through the lab safety section of each chapter.  Know the chemical toxicity of each compound that you are using and working with.

B.  Wearing gloves:

It’s recommended that you were gloves at any time there is a likelihood of chemicals directly contacting your hands.  Disposable gloves are provided free of charge.  You should use them as often you as you need them.

C. Gloves outside the laboratory:

Anytime you need to go outside of the laboratory (e.g. restroom, instrument room, stockroom) you need to remove your gloves.  This is for the safety and protection of everyone.  Do not under any circumstances touch any doorknobs, door handles, computer keyboards or mouse, while you are wearing gloves. 

D.  Waste disposal

Make sure you properly dispose of the chemicals when you’re done with the experiment.  Solid organic waste will go into labeled waste containers; solvents will go into one of the organic carboys.  All salts and aqueous solutions can go down the drain.  If you are not clear on proper handling of a chemical, ask your TA.

A.  Health:

When you’re working in lab, if you feel dizzy or lightheaded, you should notify your TA right away.  If you are unable to get to your TA, have a coworker get your TA.

B. Cuts:

If you cut yourself, notify your TA, remove any foreign matter (e.g. broken glass) from the cut, and rinse the cut thoroughly with water.  Apply direct pressure over the wound to stop the bleeding

C. Spills on skin:

Spills on the skin can usually be avoided by being neat and organized and careful.  Anytime you have a spill on your skin, you should wash the area of the skin with a lot of water.  Make sure you also consult your TA.

D. Broken thermometers:

Most laboratory thermometers contain mercury.  If you break your thermometer, you need to carefully clean up any spilled mercury according to stardard procedures and properly dispose of the broken thermometer and mercury.  Notify your TA and he/she will help clean up the mercury spill.

E. Heating baths:

Be extremely careful when you are handling steam and sand heating baths.  They can get very hot and represent a skin burn hazard.