Major safety concerns are listed below, but others may arise; if so, consult with your instructor or course coordinator. Everyone involved with the teaching of laboratories is required to attend announced training sessions; to possess knowledge of protocol for preventing, treating, and reporting laboratory-related injuries; and to be familiar with simple emergency first aid methods and emergency evacuation procedures, in accordance with departmental and University guidelines and rules.

Laboratory instructors, departmental staff, laboratory supervisors, and course coordinators are all responsible for the enforcement of course, departmental and University safety standards. The interpretation of the safety rules and guidelines to be followed by everyone in the laboratory is that given by the course coordinator and the departmental administration. Any time after the first session of the semester, anyone who does not comply with the safety regulations will, without further warning, be prevented from remaining in the laboratory or laboratory area.

In coordinated courses, it is the TA's responsibility to conduct the lab as presented by the laboratory textbook being used and the course coordinator. It is the students' responsibility to conduct the experimentation as presented by the laboratory textbook being used and/or the instructions given by the TA. If there are practices that one believes to be unsafe, they should be brought to the attention of the instructor, the faculty supervisor, or course coordinator, but students may not modify an experimental procedure unless directed to do so by the course coordinator.

Never work in a chemical laboratory without proper supervision. Your best protection against accidents is the presence of a trained, conscientious supervisor who is watching for potentially dangerous situations.

Safety goggles of an approved type must be worn by all persons in the teaching laboratories at all times that anyone is working with or transporting glassware or conducting any experimental work. Experimental work includes many simple tasks such as transporting chemicals, cleaning glassware or work area, obtaining quantitative measurements that involve chemicals, etc. Light-weight "visitors' shields" or prescription glasses with side shields are not suitable for use in the instructional laboratories.

Proper protective clothing must be worn by all persons in the room at all times that anyone is working with or transporting glassware or conducting any experimental work. Exposed skin is particularly susceptible to injury by splattering of hot, caustic, or flammable materials. In addition to wearing safety goggles, students and instructors must be protected from their necks to below their knees. This requirement means shorts, short skirts, sleeveless garments, and bare mid-riffs are not permissible. Long lab coats or aprons are required if shorts or short skirts are worn. Makeshift coverage such as shirts being used as aprons, paper taped over the knees, etc., is not acceptable. Tight-fitting clothing, long unrestrained hair, clothing that contains excessively long fringes, or even overly loose-fitting clothing may be ruled to be unsafe.

Sandals, open-toed shoes, and foot covering with absorbent soles are not allowed. Any foot protection that exposes any part of one's toes is unsuitable for wear in the laboratory.

Bicycles are not allowed in the buildings where chemistry labs meet. The use of skate boards, in-line skates, roller skates, and unicycles is also not allowed inside the buildings. If skates, etc., are brought inside the building, they may not be stored by laying them on the floor.

Food and drinks are never allowed in the labs. This includes all visible insulated water bottles or mugs, containers of water or flavored drinks, containers of ice intended for consumption, etc. If a food or drink container is empty or unopened, it must be inside a backpack, etc., and out of sight.

Unauthorized experimentation is not allowed in the lab. "Simple" chemicals may produce undesired results when mixed. Any experimentation not required by the laboratory manual or approved by your instructor is considered to be unauthorized experimentation.

The removal of chemicals and/or equipment from the laboratory is strictly prohibited and is grounds for severe disciplinary action.

Horseplay and pranks have no place in instructional chemistry laboratories.

An excellent compilation of best safety practices for first- and second-year university chemistry students is the American Chemical Society publication "Safety in Academic Chemistry Laboratories".  This document should be reviewed prior to your first laboratory meeting.