GENERAL LABORATORY PRACTICES AND LAB SAFETY PROCEDURES

INTRODUCTION

This Laboratory manual has been developed to accompany the Biology II course. The course
work, lecture and lab are designed to provide the student with a wide range of information about living
organisms and systems.

The experiment contained in this lab manual accompany the lecture information in such a way so
as to illustrate and demonstrate. The lab portion of the course is a hands-on experience that will
enhance the course material.

Working in a laboratory environment requires that the student observe certain housekeeping
procedures and safety precautions. These procedures and precautions are outlined below. The student
needs to review and follow the procedures so as to ensure the safety of himself/herself, the instructor,
fellow students, the equipment and facilities.

Safety in the lab demands that lab directions be followed carefully. Please read these "General
Laboratory practices" carefully and be sure you understand each one. If you aren't sure, ASK!

GENERAL LABORATORY PRACTICES

1. NO food or drinks in the lab.

2. NO smoking.
3. Wear all safety equipment as required by the lab procedure & your instructor. Learn the location of
all lab safety equipment. Wear safety glasses or goggles at all times. DO NOT WEAR
CONTACT LENS AT ANY TIME.
4. Do not mix any chemical except as instructed. Do not do unauthorized experiments.
5. Use fume hoods when required.
6. Tie long hair back to keep it out of flames or harmful liquids.
7. Wear shoes that cover all your feet. No open toed or sandals.
8. Do not taste any chemical.
9. Do not smell chemicals directly. Use your hand to waft the odor to your nose.
10. Do not pipet solutions by mouth. Use a rubber suction bulb or special pipet filler.
11. Do not work in the laboratory in the absence of your instructor or his authorized representative.
12. Handle glass tubings or thermometer with care.
13. Wash your hands before leaving the laboratory.
14. No chemicals are to be flushed down the drain unless specifically instructed to do so by the lab
procedure.
15. Waste are to be poured into the appropriately labeled container.
16. Do not mix waste from different categories.
17. Clean up broken glass immediately. DISPOSE OFF IN THE SPECIFIED "BROKEN GLASS"
CONTAINER ONLY.
18. Clean up solid and liquid spills immediately, but only after checking with your laboratory
instructor about possible safety hazards.
19. Take containers to the stock chemicals. Do not bring stock chemicals to your laboratory table.
20. Read the label on chemical bottles carefully. Insure that you have the correct chemical.
21. Do not insert a pipet or medicine dropper into ka stock bottle. Avoid contamination by pouring a
small quantity into a flask or beaker before taking sample.
22. Use special care when handling stoppers or tops of bottles so as not to pick-up contamination.
23. Take no more of a chemical than an experiment requires.
24. Never return an unused chemical to a stock bottle. Dispose of it as waste.
25. Set up your glassware and apparatus away from the front edge of your laboratory bench.
26. Follow any other housekeeping, safety or disposal rules given by your instructor.

Regulations require compliance with strict guidelines for handling, storage and disposal of hazardous
chemical wastes. With the wide variety of chemicals used in a teaching laboratory, it is imperative that
all students follow proper disposal procedures so as to not pollute our environment and groundwater
supply.

Willful violations of these rules can result in a zero being given for that lab. Repeated willful violations
can result in a "F" being given for the course.

Every effort has been made to minimize the hazardous chemicals used in the lab. All chemicals
provided can be used safely by following correct procedures. However, any chemical can be dangerous
if used improperly.

LABORATORY SAFETY PROCEDURES

Safety is one of the concerns in any lab. Safety for humans is always a primary concern. The location
of safety equipment should be common knowledge to anyone working in the lab. Familiarize
yourselves with nthe following safety areaa and equipments.

1. Emergency shower and eye wash station

2. Fire extinguisher
3. Fire blanket
4. Exits from the room
5. Fire escape route
6. Fire alarm boxes
7. Container for broken glass
8. Electrical power cut off switches
9. First aid box
10. Bio hazardous waste container