It is important to remember that any chemical laboratory presents many hazards for workers using it; even apparently trivial difficulties can result in serious and perhaps permanent injury. Accordingly, we ask you to observe the following basic rules, dictated by common sense considerations about the nature of laboratory work.

1. As many chemicals are potentially carcinogenic, have cumulative toxic effects, are explosive or inflammable, or even in low doses cause permanent injury, no worker should eat, drink, or smoke in the laboratory.

2. In view of the hazardous nature of a number of chemicals used in these practical courses (acid, alkalis, organic solvents), workers in the laboratory must wear safety glasses. (Students who wear spectacles may use these as safety glasses).

3. Safety glasses do not have to be worn during the discussion and problem sessions.

4. Glass fragments placed in bins which normally contain only paper waste are very likely to cut the hands of workers who empty them. We ask you to place all broken glassware in the specially marked bins provided.

5. Spilt acids and alkalis damage the surfaces on which they rest and are a hazard for other users of the laboratory: if you spill either, warn those around you and then seek the assistance of a Demonstrator or Teaching Lab staff member for cleaning up.

6. Spilt radioactive materials are a particularly dangerous hazard in that they are not readily detected. If you spill anything of this nature or suspect you have spilt anything, warn those around you and inform the Demonstrator at once. Do not attempt to deal with the spillage yourself as you run the risk of distributing the material unnecessarily.

7. The potential danger of cutting your feet on broken glass on the floor or of damaging your skin (either immediately or in the long term) with spilt chemicals makes it imperative that you wear covered shoes. Sandals and thongs are not permissible.

8. You must protect your clothing and your skin by wearing a laboratory coat whenever you are carrying out experimental work.

9. It is a good practice to establish the habit of washing your hands thoroughly in warm water before you leave the laboratory.

10. Finally, if you have any misgivings about the safety of any apparatus, which you have used during the class or about any other aspect of the laboratory, work, which you suspect, may constitute a hazard to your safety or that of your colleagues, please consult a Demonstrator at once.

• All academics are asked to alert demonstrators and students that protective clothing (ie. coat, safety glasses and covered shoes) must be worn in the teaching laboratories.
• Safety glasses are not required for the following activities - writing at a desk, working at a computer, using a microscope, dry practicals.
• Students/demonstrators are expected to provide their own coat and safety glasses. You will not be allowed into the practical classes without them. Students who turn up for a practical class without appropriate safety gear, will be warned once and their name and student ID number recorded. If that student is without coat, glasses or covered shoes on a second occasion, they will be asked to leave the lab.

ALL accidents / injuries must be reported to the Teaching Laboratory staff and the appropriate form completed. The staff are certified first aid officers and can provide initial treatment and advice for further action.

Melanie Trinick
Adele Yates
Peta Moisis