STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES: GENERAL SAFETY RULES
Basic Principles
Know the safety rules and procedures that apply to the work that is being done. Determine the
potential hazards (e.g., physical, chemical, biological) and appropriate safety precautions before
beginning any new procedure.
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Follow established procedures. New procedures or deviations from an existing procedure must
be pre-approved by the Laboratory Supervisor, particularly if new chemicals are involved.
Know the location and use of emergency equipment in your area, as well as how to obtain
additional help in an emergency, and be familiar with emergency procedures.
Know the types of protective equipment available and use the proper type for each job.
Be alert to unsafe conditions and actions and call attention to them so that corrections can be
made as soon as possible. Someone else's accident can be as dangerous to you as any you might
have.
Avoid distracting or startling any other worker. Horseplay is not tolerated at any time.
Use equipment only for its designed purpose.
Combine reagents in appropriate order. Avoid adding solids to hot liquids, and always add acid
to water when diluting.
Think, act, and encourage safety until it becomes a habit.
HEALTH AND HYGIENE
• Treat all reagents, cultures and samples as potential toxins or pathogens.
• Keep all materials away from face.
Safety glasses are to be worn at all times while work is being performed. This rule applies to all
designated "wet" benches and "wet" traffic areas. Safety glasses may be removed at personal
areas, computer stations and at the analytical balance (to weigh crucibles or flasks) provided no
work is being performed nearby. Glasses are always required for tasks involving chemicals,
wastewater, sludge, machinery, or glassware. People entering or passing through the laboratory
require eye protection only if work is being performed nearby or they are near "wet" work areas,
chemical storage areas, or operating equipment.
Contact lenses are discouraged but allowed--provided the wearer uses safety glasses. Contacts
can be irritated by vapors in some laboratories, and they can make eye washing difficult in
emergency situations. Contact lens wearers are, however, cautioned not to rub their eyes or
remove their contacts without previously washing their hands with a germicidal soap. Other
laboratory safety apparel is worn as required. Recommendations involving the use of aprons,
gloves, etc. are addressed specifically in the applications section of the SOP's.
Shoes worn in the Laboratory should offer a good, slip resistant tread and should cover the entire
foot. All shoes are required to have solid uppers, which, at the very least, should offer some
resistance to direct penetration, by water or chemicals. Fabric uppers are strongly discouraged.
(Athletic footwear with leather uppers is a good laboratory shoe offering protection.
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Confine long hair and loose clothing when working with an open flame or machinery in which
hair or clothing might get caught. Remove rings from the fingers before working with samples or
chemicals.
Hands should be washed with germicidal soap after all sample handling or microbiological
testing. Wash well before leaving the laboratory area. Latex and vinyl examination gloves are
provided for analyst protection. These disposable gloves should be worn whenever wastewater
samples are being handled. Examination gloves also provide a temporary protective barrier
against toxic chemical exposure If acid or other toxic chemicals are spilled on latex or vinyl
examination gloves, they should be removed and replaced as soon as safely possible.
Examination gloves are not to be reused and should be removed prior to answering the
telephone, leaving the laboratory, touching computers, or consuming beverages at personal desk
areas. Always remove disposable gloves inside out and dispose of them immediately