University of Santo Tomas

Faculty of Pharmacy
Department of Biochemistry

BASIC RULES AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IN THE LABORATORY

Please read, understand and follow these basic rules and safety precautions in the laboratory.
1. Come to the laboratory prepared. It is essential that you understand what is to be done before
you start an experiment. Unauthorized and unsupervised work in the laboratory is NOT allowed.
2. Wear your laboratory gown and safety goggles AT ALL TIMES during an experiment. DO NOT
WEAR CONTACT LENSES. (Spectacles could be worn in place of contact lenses.)
3. Report all accidents, however minor, to your laboratory instructor. All chemicals, spilled on the
body should be washed immediately with cold running water. Contaminated clothing should be
removed at once. Be familiar with the location of first aid stations, safety shower, medicine
cabinet and fire extinguisher.
4. Long hair and loose clothing should be properly secured to avoid interference in your work.
5. Keep your laboratory area clean and free of unnecessary breaks, paper and equipment. NO
LOITERING IN THE LABORATORY.
6. Do not carry reagent bottles to your desk. Make sure reagent bottles are in their designated
places.
7. Carefully read labels on chemical bottles. Never return excess chemicals to the stock bottles. Do
not pipette chemicals directly into a reagent bottle. Instead, pour aliquot of the reagent from
the stock bottle into a beaker/flask.
8. Know the proper use of equipment before using it. In case of doubt, ask your laboratory
instructor to guide you. Handle all equipment with care.
9. Do not eat, drink, or smoke in the lab. Never taste chemicals. Smell chemicals cautiously by
wafting the vapors towards you.
10. When mixing or heating chemicals in attest tube, point the test tube away from people.
11. Avoid using open flame in the vicinity of flammable liquids.
12. Lubricate glass tubing and protect your hands with a towel while inserting tube in the stopper.
When cutting glass, also protect your hands with a towel. Fires polish sharp edges of glass. Do
not touch hot glass.
13. Always add acid to water, not vice-versa.
14. Cover chemical spill with the appropriate clean-up material listed below:
i. acid spills use sodium bicarbonate
ii. base spills use citric acid
iii. mercury spills use mercury pump or sulfur powder
15. Dispose of chemicals as directed by your supervisor/laboratory instructor consistent with
accepted waste disposal regulations. Liquid chemical wastes should never be thrown into the
sink to prevent the plumbing from clogging and corroding. Instead, you should dispose wastes in
proper waste receptacles.
16. Place bits of paper, matchsticks, and other solid wastes in a vessel provided for this purpose.
Never throw them in the sink.
17. Do not leave on-going experimental set up unattended.
18. Sitting on the laboratory table is NOT allowed even during discussion.
19. Never use cracked or broken equipment. Report ALL breakages, malfunction of equipment,
accidents and hazardous conditions IMMEDIATELY to your laboratory instructors.

University of Santo Tomas

Faculty of Pharmacy
Department of Biochemistry

20. When you complete your work for the day, be sure to clean up. This includes wiping your work
area and picking up loose materials in the vicinity. Wash your hands thoroughly before leaving.
Place your chairs under the table.
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BASIC RULES AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IN THE LABORATORY CONTRACT

The laboratory is an enjoyable and exciting place to work or learn. It must be a safe place.
Therefore, I agree to conduct myself well while in the laboratory. I agree to follow instructions at all
times and the safety rules listed in the Basic Rules and Safety Precautions.

I have read and understood the safety rules.

I have listened and understood the discussion of the safety rules.
I agree to behave in a way that always promotes a safe laboratory environment for
myself and my classmates.
I agree to wear the lab gown and goggles at all times during chemistry lab experiments
and whenever my laboratory instructor thinks its appropriate.

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Printed Name and Signature of Student

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Date

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Printed Name and Signature of Parent/Guardian

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Date