SAFETY PROCEDURES BIOLOGY 345 LABORATORY

Biology 345 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 345 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, or injury 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 or other tobacco product use is allowed in the laboratory, during the field trips or on the vans.

5. Acquaint yourself with the location and proper use of the eye wash, shower, first aid, fire extinguisher, fire blanket and any other emergency equipment present.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. Children, acquaintances, and pets are not allowed in the laboratory.

Field trip safety

1. Wear comfortable shoes and clothing for field trips. 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, wasps, bees,etc.), ticks, chiggers and poisonous snakes. Although encounters with reptiles are rare on Biology 345 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. If you are allergic to insect stings, be sure to carry appropriate medicine and you tell your lab instructor of your allergy.

3. Seat belts should be generally available in university vans. Please use them.