Safety

DSC_10111Environmental Lab Procedures Manual

  Project Proposal Form

 Fieldwork Safety Plan Template

 Work Alone Form

Laboratory Rules

  1. All use of laboratory facilities must be approved by the lab supervisor.
  2. All graduate students working in the laboratory must take the Civil Health, Safety and Environment Orientation offered by the department, The UBC Bullying and Harassment Prevention Course (http://bullyingandharassment.ubc.ca/training-events/ )and a Chemical Safety Course offered by the UBC Risk Management Services (http://riskmanagement.ubc.ca/courses/laboratory-chemical-safety).
  3. All workers in the laboratory must receive a laboratory orientation from the lab manager before beginning work.
  4. Before commencing work in the lab, you must address the following issues:     a)Environmental plan including disposal of hazardous materials, containment of spills, storage requirements. b)Space requirements. c)Equipment requirements and do we have what you need? Where can you get it? d)Time line e)Complete a Technical Work Request form.
  5. No one is to operate any equipment in the lab without authorization of the lab supervisor and without proper training from a laboratory technician.
  6. Use of the labs outside the hours of 8:00 am to 5:00 pm is discouraged and is prohibited when carrying out hazardous or unfamiliar procedures. When working after hours you are required to arrange periodic check-ins with a responsible person who knows you are there.
  7. Unauthorized persons are not permitted to enter the lab. If you bring a friend after hours to prevent working alone, it is your responsibility to keep this person safe and away from hazards. The lab is not a place for socializing.
  8. Open toed shoes are not permitted in the lab at any time.
  9. Food and drink are not permitted in the lab.
  10. Safety glasses must be worn at all times when working in the lab.
  11. Lab coats and appropriate gloves are required when working with chemicals and wastewater.
  12. When working with strong acids, strong bases, or large volumes of wastewater goggles or a face shield are required.
  13. Fume hoods must be used when working with chemicals or wastes that produce hazardous dusts or fumes or when working with hazardous gases. The fume hoods must be tested that they are operating each time they are used and the sashes must be kept at the proper height.
  14. Do not store chemicals or equipment in the fume hoods unless authorized to do so.
  15. Clean up all spills immediately.
  16. Students are assigned a work space. Please keep your space clean and tidy. Do not take items from other students’ benches.
  17. Put away all tools and chemicals.
  18. Keep the balances clean.
  19. All chemicals that are stored in the lab must be properly labeled. This includes non-hazardous chemicals and distilled water even if they are “on your own bench”.
  20. All samples must be labeled with your name, date, and description even if they are stored on your bench. Any samples that are not properly labeled may be thrown away at any time.
  21. Dispose of old samples in a safe and environmental manner as soon as possible.
  22. Do not pour hazardous chemicals down the drain or in the garbage. They must be disposed of properly. Ask Tim or Paula.
  23. Broken glassware must be decontaminated and disposed of in the Glass Waste Only containers. Do not put broken glass in the regular garbage.
  24. Needles and sharps must go in the sharps bin for disposal
  25. Syringes must go in the burn bin for disposal.
  26. Solvents have special containers for disposal. DO NOT pour them down the drain.
  27. All chemicals and most lab supplies are ordered by Paula. Write your requests on the list by Paula’s office door. Do not bring chemicals from another lab without permission. Do not wait until we are out of a chemical before ordering more. It can take up to a month to resupply and a rush order costs an extra $50.
  28. Experimental apparatus must have a Research in Progress Sign that is clearly visible. It must provide contact numbers and procedures in case of an emergency.
  29. Experimental apparatus must be inspected by an electronics technician before use if it contains electrical components such as pumps, stirrers, timers, etc.
  30. You must wash your own dishes and put them away immediately.
  31. Failure to follow safe practices in the laboratory may result in loss of laboratory privileges.