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General Laboratory Working Standards

  • Dress appropriately in the lab (see ‘personal protection’ below)
  • All workers must be trained to work safely: Do not embark on a new or unfamiliar procedure until you have been fully trained.  Ensure that you  understand potential harmful effects of your work activity and what precautions are necessary for adequate control

If you are not satisfied with the provision of safety equipment or training do not start the work.  If in doubt at any stage, stop work and ask for advice

  • Avoid using hazardous substances if possible, or substitute for safer alternatives
  • Use the minimum amounts of all hazardous substances to minimise exposure
  • Minimise emission, release and spread of hazardous substances by good experimental design and the application of good working practices
  • Buy only the minimum quantity of the chemical you need, even if a chemical seems cheap
  • Buy plastic coated ‘Winchester’ bottles (2.5 litres) of hazardous liquid chemical to minimise risk of breakage if dropped
  • Take all necessary precautions to prevent or control exposure to hazardous substances that you are exposed to during your work.   Control  measures must be proportionate to the level of risk and MUST NOT increase the overall risk to health & safety
  • Work efficiently to reduce the duration for which you are exposed
  • Apply good housekeeping practices - keep your bench and floor areas free of unnecessary clutter
  • Work in an orderly and organised manner
  • Think of the safety of others e.g. cleaning and maintenance staff- never leave chemicals or equipment in a dangerous condition, dispose of hazardous materials appropriately.