House rules lab

In case of an emergency, call 8050

1. Read the material safety data sheets of your chemicals and take suitable safety measures (goggles/gloves/lab coat/fire extinguisher/fume cupboard etc.)
2. Turn off equipment (e.g. rotavvap, pumps, magnetic stirrers, heaters, etc.) after use.
3. Perform experiments only from Monday to Friday from 9 am - 6 pm.
4. If present after office hours (8 pm - 7 am + weekends): please register

Personal protection

1. Wear protective goggles and a lab coat during experiments.
2. Always use gloves when handling chemicals
3. When possible, work behind the protection of the fume-hood window.
4. Wear closed shoes.
5. Clothing must cover skin that is not covered by the lab coat and not be easily permeable for liquid.
6. Long hair must be worn fastened behind the head.

Other general behaviour rules

1. No eating and drinking in the labs.
2. Do not handle (smart)phones while perfoming an experiment.
3. No jackets/bags in the general lab.
4. No earplugs.
5. No load music.

Before experiments

1. Before starting an experiment, complete a risk assessment form (ask your supervisor if you don't have it).
2. Before starting an experiment, write a description on the lab journal, labeling it with a proper indentification code (as defined in your RDMP).
3. If you are planning an experiment with particulary hazardous chemicals and/or conditions (see relative tables for the definitions of what should be considered highly hazardous), discuss your risk assessment form and your experimental plan with the safety coordinator (E. Wilbers, room 5118.0207). You may start your experiment only after his approval.

Experiments

1. When performing an experiment one should not be alone in the lab.
2. Is absent from the lab while your experiment is running, leave a short description and your phone number posted on the fume-hood glass.
3. Before working with any equipment read the manual (see website of manufacturer).
4. Check the glassware for cracks/defects before using it. If broken, throw the glassware in the designated container.
5. Work in a fume cupboard as much as possible; do not use it for storage for samples/chemicals.
6. Keep your work space clean and tidy at all times.
7. Minimize the amount of chemicals in use or in stock (check if certain chemicals aren't present GROS).
8. Before opening a door remove your disposable gloves (and use them only once).
9. Never wear gloves outside the lab.
10. Never use silicone tubing for cooling water purposes (only PVC tubing) and apply tube clamps.
11. Always use a bucket when transporting liquid chemicals.
12. If you are the last to leave the laboratory, make sure that no apparatus (heating plates, gas cylinder) have been accidentally left on. If something looks wrong call the safety/lab responsible.

Gas cylinders

1. Gas cylinders should be secured to a wall or table; special clamps are available in romm 5118.0205.
2. Technicians (Erwin, Marcel or Rick) are in charge of changing gas cylinders or place reducers/valves (info room 5118.0205).
3. Always close gas cylinders after use.

Storage and waste

1. Always put back chemicals in their GROS location (indicated on the container) after use.
2. All samples must be labeled with content, your name and the date.
3. Samples should be stored according to their hazard level (e.g. in a ventilated chemical storage cabinet/fridge).
4. Use proper waste cans for liquid waste (category's 1-6). These waste cans are available at the store. Write the content on every can and close them after use.
5. No chemicals other than pure water can be flushed down the drain.
6. Use the black 60 l. vessels for large amounts of solid (chemical) waste.
7. Used needles should be stored in special yellow boxes (available at the store). Never throw them into waste bins.
8. Dirty waste glassware (e.g. Pasteur pipettes) should be thrown away in the designated container.
9. Hand in chemical waste every two weeks to the waste store on Tuesday from 9 am - 12 noon.
10. Return empty bottles that contained chemical to the chemical store. Do not throw them away.
11. Always clean glassware and place it back in its original cupboard.