Laboratory safety is the responsibility of everyone working in the laboratory. The procedures and protocols described in this manual are provided to help ensure your safety and the safety of others during lab sessions. Follow these procedures and protocols exactly. They comply with the Wellesley College Laboratory Safety Manual.
There is NO eating, drinking, chewing gum or smoking permitted in the laboratory at anytime. Smoking is not permitted anywhere in the Science Center.
To avoid possible damage, coats should be hung on the hooks provided in the corridor outside the laboratory.
Unneeded books may be placed in the lockers outside the laboratory or stored in your book bag under the lab bench. This reduces clutter in the lab and protects others against tripping over books or bags in the aisles.
Each laboratory is equipped with fire alarms, fire extinguishers, a fire blanket, a safety shower, an eyewash and a first aid kit. Your instructor will indicate the location of each during the first laboratory period.
If you have long hair, it is advisable to pin or tie it out of your face. Loose hair can contaminate an experiment or catch on fire when using open flame.
Should your hair or clothing catch on fire: DO NOT RUN. Shout for help and someone will give you the fire blanket. Wrap yourself in the blanket, then fall to the floor and roll slowly back and forth to put out the flames.
All accidents such as burns, cuts, eye contamination, spills, etc., should be reported to your instructor immediately.
Keep your hands away from your face to prevent undesirable material being transferred to your face. Always wash your hands before leaving the laboratory.
Chemical and Biological materials must be disposed of in the proper manner. Pay attention to “Clean-Up” instructions that indicate how each material should be discarded or stored. It is the responsibility of each student to follow these directions. When in doubt, double-check with your instructor.
Non-toxic paper products can be placed in the wastebaskets. Disposable glassware should be put in the large blue and white recycle containers at the front of the lab. Non-disposable glassware should be rinsed out and placed either on your bench to dry or in baskets by the sink at the front of the lab. Broken glass and Pasteur pipettes should be discarded in the red “sharps” container at the front of the lab. Wet trash, such as wet leaves, can be discarded in the small garbage pail lined with a plastic bag.
The Biological Sciences Department of Wellesley College uses a variety of both living and non-living organisms in conducting research and in teaching a diversity of laboratory and field courses. The use and/or the collection of some organisms is regulated by federal, state and local laws. Organisms that are endangered, that are potential pathogens, or whose misuse violates current standards of ethics are, generally, the subject of such laws. Given that the study of science is best facilitated through hands-on investigation, the department recommends that potential users of organisms:
Concerns about this policy and its implementation by members of the Biological Sciences Department should be communicated in writing to 1) the staff member involved, 2) the chair of the Biological Sciences Department, and 3) the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). Please see also IACUC policy for reporting deficiencies in animal care and/or use, p. XI Dept. of Biological Sciences Organism Use Policy and IACUC Policy for Reporting Deficiencies in Animal Care or Use:Media:Department_of_Biological_Sciences_Organism_Use_Policy_and_IACUC_Report_Form.doc