Biology Lab Safety - Foothill College

Laboratory Safety Guidelines

Note: Your instructor may have additional requirements for your specific lab

EMERGENCY INSTRUCTIONS

Campus Safety Information: http://www.foothill.fhda.edu/staff/safetyscript.phpLinks to an external site. 

  • Earthquake – In case of an earthquake, turn off all gas and water valves, stay inside, and get under a table or bench. Stay away from glass, windows, and objects that may fall from high places. Do not stand in any doorway that has a door.
  • Fire – In case of fire, notify a faculty or staff member Stay calm. All classrooms are equipped with at least one fire extinguisher located next to an exterior door. Fire alarms are located adjacent to the exterior doors on the west side of the building (in the Stock Room).
  • Campus Fire Alarm Activation – In the event of a fire or bomb threat, a campus-wide alarm will
    • Stay Leave all loose items, including books, bags, and umbrellas, in the classroom and proceed down the stairs to Parking Lot 8.
    • Evacuation routes are posted near the exterior doors of each
    • Do not use the elevators.
    • Your instructor or the Lab Technician will lock the doors after everyone is
    • Do not stay in or near the
    • You will be told when it is safe to return, and no one will be allowed to re-enter the classroom until that time.
  • Threat of Shooting – If it is suspected that a gunman might be threatening the campus, a phone tree/e-mail system is The policy in the event of an active shooter is to Run - Hide - Fight. If you can safely get away, do so and take cover. If you cannot escape, hide (lock doors, turn off lights, remain quiet to give the illusion of an empty classroom). If you cannot run or hide, commit to fighting.

GENERAL LABORATORY INSTRUCTIONS

  • Foodstuffs – Eating (including chewing gum), drinking, and smoking are not allowed in any No visible food or drink containers are allowed in the lab.
  • Working in the Lab – No one is permitted to work in the lab without supervision by an authorized individual. Unauthorized experiments are Labs for use only by students enrolled in laboratory classes. You are not allowed into the support areas (stock room, microscope room culture room, tissue culture room, etc.) unless specifically invited to be there by a staff or faculty member. Children are never allowed in the lab.
  • Safety Equipment – Safety showers and eyewashes are located throughout the Your instructor will show you where to find the nearest units and show you how to use them.
  • Eye Protection – Students may be required to wear appropriate eye protection in the lab. You are advised against wearing contact lenses in the lab. However, if you need to wear them, it is your responsibility to inform the instructor and/or emergency response personnel in case of injury to the
  • Footwear – You are advised to wear closed-toed and closed-heeled shoes at all times Sandals, flip-flops, or clogs should not be worn in the lab.
  • Hair – Long hair should be tied back at all Remember that hair spray is flammable. Even short hair should be kept away from any source of flame.
  • Clothing – Many labs require a lab It should be loose fitting and provide protection from neck to knees. Avoid floppy sleeves.
  • Hygiene and Cleanliness –
    • Wash your hands before beginning the lab and again before you leave. Do not apply cosmetics in the lab.
    • Do not adjust or clean contact lenses in the
    • Keep your hands and pencils or pens away from your eyes, nose, and mouth. Clean your lab bench before the beginning of the lab and again at the end of any “wet” lab (“wet” labs are those that use animals, chemicals, microorganisms, or any fluids).
    • At the end of the lab, rinse any glassware or other equipment (spoons, cutting boards, knives, garlic presses, dissecting instruments, ), dry the equipment, and put it back where it was at the beginning of the lab
    • Leave your bench and the counters neat and clean and free from any spills
  • Gas Valve Use – Be certain that gas valves are closed completely when not in use. If you think you smell gas, inform your instructor or a staff member There are emergency shut-off valves located in each lab.
  • Injuries – All injuries (even minor ones) must be reported to your instructor
  • Spills and Breakage – Notify your instructor immediately if you spill or break All spills must be logged into a record and your instructor will take care of that. Do not work with broken or cracked glassware.
  • Equipment Care – Do not carry equipment to any other area unless asked to do so by a staff or faculty Inform your instructor immediately if any piece of equipment fails to operate as expected. Always ask for more training if you are unsure about the operation of a piece of equipment.
  • Microscope Care – Please see separate instructions for the microscope

INFORMATION ITEM

  • MSDS (Manufacturer’s Safety Data Sheets) – Most labs do not require students to use an If you do need them, the MSDS binders are located in the Stock Room, mounted on the west wall. Above them is a poster explaining their use, but please feel free to ask questions about anything that isn’t clear to you.

DENIAL OF LAB PRIVILEGES

  • Lab privileges may be denied to anyone who does not act under safe laboratory