The Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) Hazardous Materials Division has prepared this manual to ensure safe practices in laboratories. The health and safety policy of The University is to take every reasonable precaution to protect the health and safety of faculty, staff, students, and the public. Mandatory safety standards, as interpreted by the requirements and policies stated in this manual and its supplements apply to faculty, staff, researchers, and students engaged in laboratory operations utilizing chemical products and in performing common laboratory procedures.
This manual includes information concerning safe laboratory practices, the use of personal protective equipment, emergency procedures, use and storage of chemicals, and the proper methods of waste disposal. This manual covers safety practices for labs in the biological sciences, incorporating a full description of the various biosafety levels and procedures unique to each. This manual also covers hazard communication and incident response. This information is intended to help those in the laboratory to minimize hazards to themselves and their colleagues.
In view of the wide variety of chemical products handled in laboratories, it should not be assumed that the precautions and requirements stated in this manual are all-inclusive. Faculty, researchers, and students are expected to learn about the hazards of chemical products before handling them. It is expected that the local departmental Chemical Hygiene Officers and Principal Investigators will append to this manual any supplementary information pertinent to their specific areas.
Throughout this manual the terms "employee", "laboratory worker", and "laboratory personnel" are used interchangeably and are intended to include students working in a laboratory, unless the context indicates otherwise.
Please contact EH&S Hazardous Materials Division at 471-3511 for more information or for assistance.
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