General Housekeeping and Prudent Practices

A. Although the term "prudent practice" has legal meaning, as used here it means simply that individuals working in laboratories shall conduct themselves in accord with the best standards of laboratory technique and precaution.

In research laboratories, the object of a procedure often is to prepare a substance never previously characterized, termed a research generated sample. Unless these substances are known to be harmless, they should be treated as if hazardous; that is, handled with the same care and respect as a substance known to possess at least moderate toxicity. This is prudent practice.

Maintaining a laboratory in good order, clean, well organized, with easy access to protective equipment and swift exit in case of emergency, also is prudent practice. None of us would care to eat food prepared in a kitchen caked with the residue of years of cooking and served on dishes not washed since they were purchased. Doing chemistry under such conditions is even more dangerous.

Messy workstation

(Would you want to work here?)

Before initiating any chemical procedure the prudent investigator informs him- or herself of the potential risks and the appropriate methods and equipment for minimizing those risks, making use of MSDS and SOGs. The procedure is set up in an appropriate environment (usually a fume hood), uncluttered, with clean glassware. The investigator will be wearing appropriate gloves and goggles, and perhaps a lab coat or apron as well. If the procedure involves the potential for a violent exotherm, a face or reaction shield may be necessary. A spill kit will be at hand. Coworkers in the laboratory will have been informed of the nature of the experiment so that they may respond appropriately in the event of an emergency. If the process is to run unattended, a sign will indicate its nature.

When the process is complete, it will be "worked up" promptly, and the equipment disassembled and cleaned. Dirty equipment and glassware will not be allowed to pile up on a desktop or in a hood. Any material spilled during setup, reaction, and workup will be promptly cleaned up and disposed of appropriately. The lab bench or fume hood thus will be left ready for the next experiment.

B. We list here some items of general housekeeping and prudent practice. Some of these points are sufficiently evident that they should not need listing; however, all reflect problems observed in our laboratories during the past few years.

  1. Absolutely NO food or beverages of any kind may be stored or consumed in a laboratory where chemicals are manipulated or stored. This includes cans of soft drinks, tea bags, instant coffee, cereal, bottled water, etc. What part of NO don't you understand?

  2. Absolutely no smoking is permitted in any part of Aubert Hall. Furthermore, smoking materials (or snuff or chewing tobacco) may not be stored in any laboratory. Since they are for oral consumption, OSHA categorizes them as food.

  3. All spills, of whatever origin, must be cleaned up immediately, no matter how harmless the material spilled (including water). Areas around balances and sinks are particularly likely to become messy, and eventually dangerous as repeated spills generate uncharacterized mixtures.

  4. Keep aisles and doorways clear of furniture, boxes, and other impediments. Do not allow electrical cords to trail across aisles, and do not lead tubing for gas or water flow across these areas. All occupants of a laboratory must be able to exit the lab quickly in an emergency.

  5. Avoid working alone in a laboratory, especially at night or on weekends when the building is relatively empty. If you absolutely must do so, be sure that a friend or family member knows where you are, and when you are expected to return home. Or "buddy" with someone in another laboratory: each of you checks occasionally to make sure the other is OK.

  6. Never introduce any part of your body except hands and arms into a fume hood. Raising the sash and leaning into the hood to check a reaction is the single most dangerous action one can perform in a laboratory.

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