This safety contract is to help list a general set of guidelines you should be adhering to and enforcing while conducting lab classes.

printable version (.docx) (.pdf)

 

 

 WSU-Chemistry-Teaching Assistant

A teaching assistant is the most important point for the department ensuring students are conducting experiments properly and safely.  Please take your role as a safety instructor seriously, be a good safety role model, and make sure students are staying safe.

 

SUMMARY OF LABORATORY SAFETY RULES

1. General Safety:
   • Teaching Assistants read, know, adhere to, and enforce, the rules outlined in the undergraduate lab safety contract.
   • TA’s are required to practice disciplined and responsible conduct at all times when present in the laboratory. Playing around in the laboratory, sitting or leaning on the lab benches, and disorderly behavior are not permitted. Be alert and proceed with caution at all times when in the lab. Avoid any behavior that might confuse, startle, or distract another worker.
   • Ensure students are keeping work areas clean, chemicals properly stored and labeled, common areas containing equipment and reagents are left clean. Ensure lids on reagent bottles are secure before leaving the lab.
   • Ensure students do not enter lab before you and the lab door is locked when you leave.
   • Be familiar with all safety aspects of the experiment before starting lab.
   • Do not remove materials from a laboratory except using proper methods to get reagent refills from stockroom.

1. Personal Hygiene:

• Consumption of any type of food/drink (beverages, chewing gum, tobacco, etc.) or application and/or use of cosmetics (lip balm, gloss etc.) in the laboratory is prohibited.
• Wash hands with soap and water after work in the laboratory and after spill clean‐ups.
• Wash promptly with soap and water whenever a chemical has contacted the skin. For caustic chemicals, flush the area with water for 15 minutes.
• Avoid inhalation of chemicals; use the wafting technique to test chemicals.
• Do not mouth pipet or use mouth suction for starting a siphon.

1. Personal Apparel:

• Always wear a lab coat in the laboratory.
• Wear eye protection—goggles or safety glasses—appropriate for the task. When using any hazardous liquid where chemical splash goggles with no direct open holes.
• Avoid wearing contact lenses in the laboratory. If wearing contact lenses while working with chemicals take precautions from chemical exposure.
• Wear appropriate protective gloves when working with corrosive, sensitizing, radioactive, hazardous chemicals, or potentially biohazardous materials.
• Tie back or secure long hair and loose clothing. Keep beards trimmed.
• Wear shoes that protect or cover your feet. Avoid wearing sandals and perforated shoes.
• Wear clothes that can serve as a layer of protection without presenting other hazards that cover toe to shoulder.
  • No bare midriffs or ankles
  • No tank tops or low cut tops
  • No shorts, skirts, or cropped pants
  • No sandals, open toe, slippers, or open topped shoe (mary jane shoes, crocs, ect)
• Avoid wearing extremely loose clothing, or extremely tight clothing.
• Opt for clothing made of natural fibers over clothing made of synthetic fibers.
• Do not wear laboratory coats, gloves and other protective clothing outside the laboratory.

1. Personal Protection:

• Know the hazards of the chemicals you and your students use.
• Take proper precautions when using chemicals.
• Use the appropriate equipment or engineering controls for the task to prevent exposure to hazardous agents.

1. Disposal

• Know the proper departmental procedure for disposal procedures for hazardous chemicals.
• Ensure students are following proper disposal methods including;
  • All cleaning liquids which can be deemed hazardous or contaminated by hazardous materials must be disposed properly as a hazardous material. (not down the drain)
  • Ensure incompatible wastes are kept separate (oxidizers should not be added to organic waste, ect.)
  • All reagent, chemical, and waste containers must be properly labeled and capped when not in use.
  • Waste containers are closed when not in use

1. Chemical Safety:

• Know the location of Safety Data Sheets (SDS). These are available through the share drive: //chem-diamond3.ad.wsu.edu/FulmerChemicals/SDS
• Store and transport all chemicals in secondary containers (i.e. Nalgene tubs). Secondary containers will serve to contain spills and can be used to segregate incompatibles.
• Do not block the airflow into the fume hood’s in the first and last 6” of the fume hood.
• Keep the fume hood sash lowered to under 18” operating height when using it. Close the sash when finished.

1. Emergency Preparedness:

• Know where emergency equipment is located: first‐aid kit, eyewash, safety shower, fire extinguishers, and spill kits.
• Know how to respond in case of a hazardous spill, fire, or medical emergency.
• Maintain aisles and exits clear of obstructions. Do not block access to emergency equipment or electrical panels.
• Know meet locations and evacuation plan for your area.
• If a student is has signs of illness immediately remove them from the lab to fresh air, have someone get the lab supervisor. Call 911 in case of emergency.
• In case of minor cuts band aids are available, but if injured make sure lab supervisor is notified, the student is removed from lab if safe to do so. In case of emergency call 911.
• In the case of sickness or injury make sure to follow-up with anyone that might have witnessed the accident, injury or illness and pass any information on to the lab supervisor to help fill out an incident report.

1. Electrical Safety:

• Keep an eye out for worn, frayed, abraded, or corroded electrical wires. If identified, send the student with the offending device to get replaced in the storeroom.

1. Laboratory Safety Manual:

The Washington State University Laboratory Safety Manual can be found at the following website:

http://www.ehs.wsu.edu/LSM/wsulsmhome.asp

 

I have read and agree to the safety rules set forth in the chemistry lab safety contract. I realize that I must obey these rules in order to insure my own safety, as well as the safety of others. I am aware that any violations of the contract can result in the removal from the laboratory and loss of credit for the experiment. I also understand that I can be held financially responsible for the laboratory equipment used in this course if I break or destroy an item due to carelessness, neglect, or misuse.

 

SIGNATURE                                                                                                                    DATE _______________