Security features and escape routes

• You must familiarize with all the security features that are available, know the location of fire extinguishers, the fire blankets, the safety showers and eye cleaners, and locate all exits for a possible escape.

Suitable clothing

• In the laboratory is required to wear safety glasses when the professor indicate it.

Eye protection

• They should be cleaned with water and then apply a suitable dressing.  If they are large and not stop bleeding require immediate medical assistance.

Hygiene standards

• Do not eat or drink in the laboratory. Food and drinks can be contaminated with chemical or biological products.
• Wash your hands after an experiment and after leaving the laboratory.
• Smoking is prohibited for hygienic and safety reasons.
• Do not inhale nor taste nor smell chemicals if you have not been properly informed.
• Pipette liquids with a special device, not directly by mouth.
• Keep clean and orderly the work area. All chemical dumping should be cleaned immediately. The clutter in the work area is equivalent to risk.

Behaviour in the laboratory

• It Must be correct and common sense. In the laboratory you should not make jokes nor scream, run or play, etc.

Experiments

• It must not do experiments that are not authorized by the professor.

Equipment and apparatus.

• Do not use equipment or apparatus if you do not know how it works. If in doubt, ask the professor. The equipment and the apparatus used must be always left clean and in perfect condition.

Chemicals handling

• Chemicals can be dangerous for their toxic, corrosive, flammable or explosive properties, so that must be handled with care.
• Fire is the greatest danger in the laboratory. Avoid open flames whenever possible. If using a Bunsen is inevitable, we must ensure that there are no flammable materials around.
• Do not inhale vapours of chemicals used.
• Avoid chemical contact with skin.
• All products must be properly labelled.
• In an experiment you should not substitute one chemical for another without the advice of a professor.
• Do not heat a totally closed container up.

Waste disposal

• Throw the glassware in the containers for this purpose.
• Throw the paper in the bins.
• Throw the toxic chemicals in special containers.
• Do not throw directly in the sink those products that react with water (sodium, acid ...) or the flammable ones (solvents), those which cause bad smell or tear-producing, or hardly biodegradable products.
• Throw solid waste that can clog up the sink in suitable containers.