Laboratory Safety

• Laboratory Safety Manual
• Chemical Incompatibility Table
• Self Reacting Gases
• Incompatible Gas Mixtures with Significant Reactions
• Hazardous Waste and Safety Audit Schedule and Forms

SAFETY POLICY

UAHuntsville faculty and staff are committed to safely conducting research and experimentation within University facilities. Minimum safety practices to be followed within laboratories and research facilities are outlined below. Laboratory managers, teaching assistants, or other persons in charge of teaching laboratories are responsible for distributing this information on the first day of scheduled classes to all students and staff associated with the teaching lab.

The requirements of the policy include:

1. NO eating, drinking, or smoking in the lab AT ANY TIME.
2. All students and personnel in laboratories utilizing chemicals, including but not limited to:
   • solvents
   • acids
   • bases
   • carcinogens
   • toxics
   are REQUIRED to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriate for the chemical(s) in use. This includes safety glasses, lab coat, and gloves. (Information on the use of proper PPE can be obtained from the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for the chemical or by contacting the Office of Environmental Health & Safety at 824-2171.
3. Open-toed shoes (including sandals and flip-flops) are forbidden. Only shoes covering the entire foot shall be worn in laboratory areas.
4. Eyewash and safety showers must be within ten (10) seconds from all teaching labs. Students must be instructed in their location and use.
5. NO horseplay or rowdy behavior is permitted in laboratory areas.
6. All waste chemicals MUST be placed in properly labeled and chemically compitable waste containers. Under NO circumstances are students, faculty, or staff to dump chemicals into sinks or other drains within the laboratory.

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