SAFETY PROCEDURES- BIOLOGY 344 LABORATORY
Biology 344 Lab is a relatively "safe" laboratory experience. In general, we do not work with hazardous or toxic chemicals, open flames, radioactive substances, or other materials that pose serious safety risks and require special safety precautions. However, there are always safety risks associated with any laboratory or field experience. Below is a list of general guidelines designed to alert you to potential safety hazards associated with Biology 344 Lab.
Lab Safety
1. Use common sense in the laboratory at all times.
2. Maintain a serious scientific attitude. Do not 'fool around' in lab.
3. In the event of a fire, accident, injury, or spillage of chemicals (no matter how minor), notify your lab instructor immediately. If there is any question in your mind concerning the effect on your health or safety, consult the Student Health Center as soon as practical. If it should appear to be an emergency, seek immediate assistance from the Campus Police at extension 2800.
4. No smoking is allowed in the laboratory, or elsewhere in the building, including restrooms.
5. Keep your work surface as clean and orderly as possible. Place all waste in the proper receptacle, and clean off your lab table before you leave. During lab, store books, book bags, purses, backpacks, and/or excess clothing away from your work bench, and in a location where they will not impede traffic or be in the way of others. When you are not sitting on your lab stool, keep it under the table to prevent anyone from tripping over it.
6. Acquaint yourself with the location and proper use of the eye wash, shower, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, fire blanket, and any other emergency equipment present.
7. Your laboratory instructor will inform you at the beginning of class if there are any special safety considerations for that particular laboratory exercise. Please follow all laboratory instructions precisely. Should you doubt the safety of any procedure, immediately question your laboratory instructor.
8. If the fire alarm should sound while the lab is in progress, turn off all electrical appliances, cap any chemicals, then exit the building in an orderly fashion. Your lab instructor will show you the emergency exit route on the first day of class.
9. Children, acquaintances and pets are not allowed in the laboratory.
Field Trip Safety
1. Wear comfortable shoes and clothing for field labs. Avoid wearing clothes that you would not want to get dirty. Avoid wearing shoes with heels. Athletic shoes or hiking boots are appropriate. Blue jeans or loose fitting, durable clothing will probably be most comfortable for field work. In the case of potential inclement weather, be sure to bring rain gear (rain coat; boots; hat) for working in the field.
2. Potential dangers associated with field work include poisonous plants (e.g., poison ivy), insects (mosquitoes, chiggers, etc.), ticks and poisonous snakes. Although encounters with reptiles are rare on Biology 344 field trips, if you do encounter a snake, leave it alone. Be sure to check yourself for ticks following any outdoor field trip. Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness, does occur in our area, You may want to bring along some insect/tick repellant for outdoor field trips. Be careful handling unknown plants. Your instructor will point poison ivy out to you if it is present. If you're not sure about a plant, ask your instructor.
3. Seat belts should be general available in university vans. Please use them. In deference other passengers, smoking is not allowed in university vans during field trips.