Unauthorizing Laboratory Equipments

There are some certain rules and instructions to follow when using a Chemistry laboratory. Most of the times students have to engage with hazardous chemicals which are flammable, poisonous, carcinogenic and sometimes explosive. All the accidents which are happening during a chemistry practical or an experiment are due to the carelessness, impatience, improper or unauthorized experimentation and most importantly disregarding the rules and regulations in a laboratory. [1]

So, there are some rules and instructions to follow when using a laboratory.

• Unauthorized experiments or work should not be performed in a laboratory.

• The required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should be worn when working all the times in a laboratory like Protective

• When toxic or irritating vapors are used a fume hood should be used.

• Eating, Drinking and smoking are not allowed in a laboratory. [1] Figure 1.2: Drinking and Eating (sign) Eating and drinking are not allowed in a laboratory.

• Proper housekeeping should be maintained.

The working area should be kept cleaned and tidy all the times. If any kind of chemical spillage occur it should be cleaned away immediately with the proper PPE. Bare hands should not be used to clean chemical spills and broken glassware. [1]

• When discarding the waste materials the appropriate waste containers should be used.

• The location for the fire extinguisher, Safety showers and eyewash should be known by every individual who are using the laboratory. [1] Figure 1.3: Laboratory Emergencies

By knowing the proper locations for the fire extinguishers and safety showers the accidents like chemical burning, cuts and explosion to harmful fumes can be minimized.

• The labels on the reagent bottles should be read carefully before obtaining any kind of chemical. The unused chemicals should not be returned to their original containers without the instructions from the laboratory personnel or

Liquid chemicals should be converted to pounds for this computation.

Figure 2.3: Highly Toxic Chemicals (sign)

Toxic Gas

If the inhalation is LC50<12 is a Corrosive metal. Acids such as Chromic, Hydrochloric, Hydrofluoric, sulfuric.

Bases such as Ammonium hydroxide, Calcium hydroxide, Potassium hydroxide, Potassium carbonate and Sodium hydroxide.

Figure 2.7: Corrosive Materials (sign)

Biohazard

If the room contains a biological agent which is capable of self-replication and which may present a hazard to the well-being or the health of humans then the agent is a Biohazard.

The name of the agent must be entered on the hazard sticker.

Figure 2.8: Biohazard (sign)

Radioactive Material

This symbol represents that the room has any kind of radioactive material or radiation source.

Example is X-ray equipment.

Figure 2.9: Radioactive Material (sign)

Laser light

There are class 2, 3 and 4 lasers defined by ANSI Standard Z136 1

Under this classification,

Class 2; Continuous wave laser in the visible range (400nm to 700nm) which can emit a power exceeding 0.4 micro watts.

Class 4; Emits power exceeding