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Safety Regulations: Part 2: Rules for Research Laboratories, Preparation Rooms and Chemical Storage Areas

  1. Persons working in these areas are all experienced and are expected both to work safely and will expect this of others.
  2. All graduate students, post doctoral fellows, co-opstudents and employees of the department are required to take WHMIS training. Without written permission of the Chairman, no visitors or volunteers are permitted to work in research laboratories.
  3. All are expected to abide by the following conditions:
  4. Safety glasses or prescription glasses will be worn in all laboratories. Protective clothing will be worn as specified;
  5. Horseplay, pranks and unauthorized experiments are especially dangerous and are prohibited.
  6. No eating, drinking or smoking is permitted in any laboratory or other place where any substance poisonous by ingestion is exposed.
  7. All persons using a laboratory must make sure they know the location of exits, safety showers, eye-baths, fire extinguishers, and the nearest telephone, and what to do if the evacuation alarm (fire alarm bell) rings.
  8. All persons must report accidents promptly to his/her supervisor or other member of staff who will supervise first aid and/or arrange for further medical attention. (This is also essential for the reporting required by Workers’ Compensation Board.) First aid instructions are posted in laboratories and adjacent corridors.
  9. Visitors to laboratories are required to follow the same rules as staff and students.
  10. Individuals may work alone during regular working hours if their work is not of a hazardous nature and if they have a colleague or supervisor within calling distance who can assist them if required.
  11. Reactions left to run unattended are prime sources of trouble. They must be advertised on the door with phone number of the person responsible. Power stirrers, hot plates, heating mantles, etc., shall only be left on overnight with the knowledge and consent of the person responsible for the laboratory. Reactions shall be checked periodically and signs left indicating what is going on and giving the telephone number of the individual running the experiment.
  12. Suitable warning sign(s) must be put up when, but only when hazardous situations are present.
  13. Vacuum dessicators and thermos flasks must be taped.
  14. Rotary pumps must have moving parts guarded and exhausts vented to the exterior of the building by fume hood or other positive ventilation.
  15. Laboratories and storerooms must be locked when unattended.
  16. Great care is required in the storage, transportation and use of cylinders of compressed gases. The following rules must be followed:
  1. Cylinders of all sizes must be restrained from falling by restraining devices;
  2. during storage or movement, the cylinder cap must always be securely in place;
  3. cylinders shall be moved only when strapped in a wheeled cart;
  4. no lubricant or TEFLON TAPE shall be used when connecting regulator to the cylinder;
  5. new connections shall be checked for gas leakage;
  6. the cylinder delivery pressure shall be set to zero before the main cylinder valve is closed. This prevents a rapid release of compressed gas when the cylinder is next opened;
  7. empty cylinders shall have the regulators removed, be marked MT, and have the cases replaced;
  8. unused or partially used cylinders which are not further use shall be returned to store;
  9. unidentifiable cylinders shall be immediately reported to chief storekeeper;
  10. in the event of fire, the supply of a combustible gas shall be shut off before an attempt is made to extinguish the flames;
  11. a trap shall be used to prevent the back siphoning of chemicals when a very soluble gas is being employed.
  1. Quantities of solvents to be stored in laboratories and storerooms shall be restricted by making maximum use of the central bulk solvent storage service. Safety cans containing flammable liquids are allowed to stand in the open in laboratories and storerooms. They do not have to be in the solvent cabinets, although this is recommended. All bottles or cans of flammable liquids with the manufacturer’s seal broken must be stored in a solvent safety cabinet when not in immediate use. Stoppered or capped containers of 1 litre or less may be kept on laboratory shelves and may be replenished from a safety can or a manufacturer’s container. Metal containers must be grounded during dispensing.
  2. Before starting any experimental work, ensure that techniques for disposing of the wastes to be generated and of any chemicals which may become surplus are both known and practical, and when work is complete, make sure such methods are used. In general the individual responsible for introducing a chemical to a laboratory is responsible for its safe use, custody and disposal.
  3. During work with highly toxic materials, ensure that antidotes are readily available, and notify Health Services, CTTC; Tel: 6674.
  4. Working areas must be kept clean. WARNING: – do not use a vacuum cleaner for picking up; it will pick up solids and liquids but it will also spray these spilled chemicals around the room.
  5. Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers are very suitable for most small fires and are clean to use. They are provided in every laboratory and most corridors. Fire hoses and high pressure water extinguishers are for use against burning building materials and office furnishing only. This work must be left to the professional fire fighters.
  6. As a general rule during the weekends and evenings, work shall not be conducted alone or without someone nearby to come to your aid in the event of injury. Working after the building is locked by Security, without the permission of your supervisor, is not permitted

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