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Basic Laboratory Rules 

1. Use of proper protective clothing e.g. goggles, face masks, gloves and lab coats is a must when in the laboratory.
2. Long hair, ties and loose cloths must be tied or pinned up.
3. Do not run or engage in risk activities while in the laboratory.
4. No eating, drinking, or smoking in the lab. If you need to eat/drink, please do so outside the lab.
5. Wash your hands before and after leaving the laboratory.
6. Do not leave or walk out of the lab while wearing laboratory PPEs
7. Always ensure there is proper ventilation and lighting and all isles are free from obstructions
8. Always stick to the instructions.
9. If corrosive liquids touch your skin or chemicals gets into your eye, wash thoroughly with water and notify the instructor/ teacher immediately.
10. Ensure that you’re working surfaces and surrounding is kept clean , tidy  and well organized before, during and after lab work
11. Do not mouth pipette, use a pipette filler.
12. Ensure that only labeled reagents, chemicals and specimens are used.
13. Do not carry out experiment whose reaction you are not sure about without consulting your instructor  

Safety before starting practical session

Before starting to work in a laboratory, familiarize yourself with the following:

1. The hazards of the materials in the lab, as well as appropriate safe handling, storage and emergency protocols.
2. Read labels and material safety data sheets (MSDSs) before moving, handling or opening chemicals.
3. Never use a product from an unlabeled container.
4. If you are unsure of any aspect of a procedure, check with your supervisor before proceeding.
5. Also check for location and operation of safety and emergency equipment such as fire extinguishers, first aid kits, eye wash and emergency exits.

Safety during Laboratory Work

1. Wear appropriate personal protective clothing at all times  
2. Keep work places clean and free of unwanted chemicals
3. Ensure there is maximum ventilation and lighting and that all passageways and emergency exits are free from obstructions.
4. Restrict the laboratory access to authorized persons only.
5. Avoid Smoking; eating; drinking or even chewing anything.
6. Work only with materials once you know their properties e.g.  Flammability, reactivity, toxicity, safe handling, storage, and emergency procedures.
7. Read labels carefully and label everything you take.
8. To avoid contamination, NEVER put your pipet or spatula into a reagent bottle and NEVER return unused chemicals to their bottles.
9. Always add acid to water, not the reverse. Never add water to acid, this   can produce a lot of heat and dangerous spattering.
10. Do not taste chemicals. If told to smell a chemical, do so by carefully fanning the top of the test tube or bottle so that a little of the vapor is directed towards your nose.
11. Wash your hands thoroughly before leaving the laboratory.
12. Conduct procedures involving the release of volatile toxic or flammable materials in a chemical fume hood.
13. Perform procedures that liberate infectious bioaerosols in a biological safety cabinet
14. Handle all human blood and body fluids as if potentially infectious
15. Prepare and maintain a chemical inventory for the lab.
16. Never pipette by mouth; use mechanical transfer devices.
17. Walk; do not run, in the lab.
18. Keep exits and passageways clear at all times.
19. Ensure that access to emergency equipment (eyewashes, safety showers and fire extinguishers) is not blocked.
20. Report accidents and dangerous incidents (“near-misses”) promptly to your supervisor

Safety after Laboratory Work

It is important to perform a safety check at the end of each experiment and before leaving the lab. Make sure to:

1. Turn off gas, water, electricity, vacuum and compression lines and heating apparatus.
2. Return unused materials, equipment and apparatus to their proper storage locations.
3. Label, package and dispose of all waste material properly
4. Remove defective or damaged equipment immediately, and arrange to have it repaired or replaced.