1. DEL MAR COLLEGE
Department of Natural Sciences
LABORATORY SAFETY PROCEDURES &
GUIDELINES
A Pre-Lab Course
24-Hour Emergency Number:
DMC Security Office 361 / 698-1199

2. INSTRUCTIONS
• Study the information in this module.
• Take the quiz following this module.
• You must score 100% on this quiz to stay
registered in the class. You may take the quiz
as many times as needed to achieve 100%.

3. TABLE OF CONTENTS
Topic Module
General Rules and Regulations 1
Chemical Safety 2
Biohazard Safety 3
Emergency Equipment & Procedures 4
Field Trip Safety 5

4. MODULE 1
GENERAL
LABORATORY
SAFETY
PROCEDURES

5. BASIC SAFETY PRINCIPLES
 Practice safety for yourself
 Practice safety for others
 Learn the hazards
 Emergency?
Call DMC Security Office at 698-1199
 Report hazardous conditions to your Instructor

6. ACCESS TO LABORATORY SAFETY
INFORMATION
• Your Instructor will provide you with Safety
Information.
• You will receive a Laboratory specific Chemical
Hygiene Plan Brochure which will give you
specific safety information depending on your lab
course.
• Each Laboratory includes an Emergency
Reference Poster which outlines emergency
procedures.

7. ENFORCEMENT
Any person NOT COMPLYING with the Laboratory
Safety Program WILL be asked to leave the
laboratory and MAY be dismissed from the course.
It is the obligation of every student to comply with
these laboratory safety procedures.

8. MINIMUM REQUIRED APPAREL
o Lab coats are required in some labs
(button up the coat).
o Ankle-length pants are required in
all labs.
o Only closed-toe and closed-heel
shoes. No flip flops, sandals, etc…
o Do NOT wear loose clothing in the
lab (scarves, hats…).

9. EYE PROTECTION
Protect your eyes from flying objects, dust particles,
& splashes.
• Splash-resistant Safety Goggles must be worn during
all labs unless instructed otherwise. Goggles must be
stamped with ANSI Z87.
• Do NOT handle contact lenses in lab.
NOTE: Safety Glasses will not be
allowed in the Laboratory.

10. HAND PROTECTION
Gloves protect your hands from chemical and
biohazard exposures, therefore latex or nitrile
laboratory gloves are required when working with
these substances.
o Inspect gloves before wearing them.
o Remove and replace
torn/dirty gloves.

11. SAFETY:
IT’S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY!!
o Read the experimental procedure before you enter
the lab.
o Note any potential risks.
o Think before you touch. Do not touch hot glassware
or hardware.
o Take special care when working with strong acids or
bases; contact can cause severe burns.
o Inform your Instructor of any allergies or medical
conditions.

12. GENERAL BEHAVIOR
Food, drinks or gum are NOT Do not apply cosmetics in
allowed in any laboratory the laboratory
No horseplay!
(pushing, shoving, pranks, etc...)

13. BASIC POINTS
o NEVER pipette by mouth.
o No unauthorized or unsupervised experiments
are allowed.
o All work is to be completed during regularly
scheduled laboratory periods.
o Contact your instructor regarding the clean-up
of spills or broken glass.
o Read the label on all containers BEFORE and
AFTER you remove the contents.

14. SAFETY HABITS
o Never leave a fire unattended, always
turn off Bunsen burners.
o Be aware of Bunsen burners emitting
invisible flames.
o Immediately report ALL
accidents, injuries, and
spills to your Instructor.

15. HOUSEKEEPING
o Keep all work areas and aisle ways clean and
clutter free.
o Wipe down benches regularly.
o Stow personal items in
designated locations away
from emergency equipment
and exits.
• Inside cabinets, along side
walls and beneath desks or
as instructed by your
Laboratory Supervisor.

16. MICROSCOPE CARE
o Hold the scope with both
hands.
o Don’t swing them around – you
may hit someone.
o Clean lenses and slides with
lens paper only.
o Store with scanning objective
(small lens) in position & stage
lowered.

17. ELECTRICAL HAZARDS
Protect yourself from electrical hazards:
o Do not use equipment with
damaged or frayed cords – Report
them immediately.
o Keep electrical equipment away
from wet areas.
o In case of electrocution do not touch the victim.
o Activate the emergency shut-off button.
o In case of power outage remain calm and follow
the instructions of your Laboratory Supervisor.

18. WASTE DISPOSAL
Non-hazardous Wastes:
● Non-hazardous wastes generated in
the laboratory may be disposed of
in the trash container.
● Any recyclable items used in the
laboratory should be placed in a
recycle container.
● Follow the instructions of your
Laboratory Supervisor.

19. WASTE DISPOSAL
Hazardous Wastes:
Most of the chemical waste
generated in the laboratory
will be Hazardous Waste and
must be disposed of
properly.
● Pour waste laboratory chemicals into properly
labeled containers.
● Use a funnel to avoid spilling chemicals.
● Chemical disposal in the sink is normally
PROHIBITED. Follow the instructions of your
Laboratory Supervisor.

20. WASTE DISPOSAL
Biohazardous Wastes:
Biohazardous Waste can not be
placed in the trash container and
must be disposed of properly.
● Biohazardous Waste containers
must be lined with a RED bag.
● Trash and other non biohazardous waste must not be
placed in the container.
● Items identified as “Sharps” must not be placed in
the biohazardous waste box.
● Follow the instructions of your Laboratory Supervisor.

21. WASTE DISPOSAL
Broken Glass Items:
● Dispose of all broken glass in
the “Broken Glass” container.
● Broken glass items MUST
NOT be placed in the trash
container.
● Follow the instructions of
your Laboratory Supervisor.

22. LAB CLEAN-UP
o Return supplies to their
proper place.
o Clean & disinfect work area
BEFORE leaving the lab.
o Wash glassware with soap and water then rinse
with distilled-water.
o Wash hands after removing gloves and before
leaving the lab.

23. BEFORE LEAVING
● Turn off all:
o Gas, water, vacuum, and compressed air
o Power supplies
o Heating apparatus
● Dispose of waste properly
● Report defective equipment or supplies
● Wash your hands!!!

24. REMINDER
Please complete the quiz for
Module 1 before continuing.