Chemistry & Biochemistry Lab Safety Agreement

While in a Chemistry & Biochemistry Department lab, I will:

1. Be alert and responsible at all times.
2. Wear safety glasses whenever there is a danger of a chemical splash, spill, or broken glass hazard.
3. Follow the laboratory dress code:
   • Long pants or skirts/dresses that end at or below the ankle are required.
     • The garments should be in good conditions with no rips, tears or otherwise damaged.
   • Closed-toed shoes that fully cover the top of the foot are required.
     • No ballet slippers, mesh, TOMS/BOBS or shoes that show any skin below the ankle.
     • Proper footwear includes: running/hiking shoes, utility shoes, rubber soles, leather or sturdy cloth shoes.
   • Short or long-sleeved shirts that cover the entire midriff area (front and back) are required.
   • Baggy or loose clothing should be secured or removed.
   • All clothing must be made of natural fibers; synthetic material is inappropriate to wear in a laboratory setting.
     • A lab coat can be worn in lieu of natural fibers.
   • Long hair must be tied back.
   • Wear gloves when instructed to do so, however gloves should never be worn outside of the classroom.
   • Optional: Laboratory coats can be worn during lab to keep clothing from being ruined during experiments.
4. NEVER eat or drink while in the laboratory! All food items and drink containers will be stored away.
5. Know the location and the proper use of all safety equipment including the eye wash, safety shower, fire extinguisher and first-aid kit.
6. Use proper techniques demonstrated by the instructor and follow the procedures in the lab manual.
   • Have the laboratory instructor verify that a reaction set-up is acceptable prior to beginning experiment.
7. Never perform any unauthorized experiments or use chemicals that are not part of the laboratory experiment.
   • NEVER taste or directly inhale chemicals or biological specimens!
8. Use the fume hoods when using any toxic, volatile, flammable, or corrosive chemicals.
   • Keep the fume hood sash as low as possible while in use.
9. Dispose of all chemical waste in the proper designated canisters.
   • Organic solvents/compounds go in the ORGANIC waste container.
   • Aqueous waste that doesn’t contain any organic solvents go in the AQUEOUS waste container.
   • Solid compounds and used disposable lab supplies go in the SOLIDS waste container.
   • Items contaminated by bacterial, fungal or tissue culture go in the BIOHAZARD bags.
   • Needles and Capillary tubes go in the appropriately labeled SHARPS container.
   • NEVER pour anything down the drain without permission from the instructor!
10. Immediately notify the instructor of any chemical spill, broken glassware, fire or personal injury.
    • Report all accidents/injuries to the laboratory instructor, no matter how minor they may seem. Fill out accident report form before leaving lab for the day.
11. Report any defective equipment to the laboratory instructor.
12. Return equipment and clean glassware to their proper places.
13. Keep lab area clean and free from clutter that may present a tripping hazard or other accidents related to clutter.
    • Store backpacks in designated spaces and away from all safety equipment.
    • Remember that stools do not belong in front of the fume hoods and must be out of the way of walkways and aisles so that they do not present tripping hazards.
14. Follow any additional safety instruction, beyond those appearing above, given by the Instructor, Laboratory Manager, Teaching Assistant or other authorized employee.

The current COVID-19 pandemic requires additional precautions to maintain the safety of students, staff, and faculty.

I agree to follow these conditions to help prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 while attending in-person classes:

If feeling unwell, sick, or potentially exposed to a known case of COVID-19 I will contact the Health Center at Auraria at 303-615-9999 for a phone consultation and will not come to campus unless cleared to do so.

• I will perform the daily health evaluation as required by university policy and if I answer “yes” to any questions I will contact the Health Center at Auraria at 303-615-9999 for a phone consultation.
• In accordance with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment order “22 April CDPHE Order”, Denver Department of Public Health and Environment order “Face Covering Order” and Metropolitan State University of Denver policy I will wear a cloth face covering that covers both my mouth and nose at all times while working in the laboratory.
• I will arrive at the teaching laboratory no earlier than fifteen minutes prior to my designated start time and will maintain six feet of social distancing while waiting to get into the laboratory.
• I will go directly to my assigned work station when allowed into the laboratory.
• I will disinfect my work station with the provided supplies at the start of laboratory and when I have finished for the day.
• I will work within my designated work station and endeavor at all times to maintain six feet of distance between myself and other individuals.
• If it is necessary for me to move outside of my designated work station I will use the designated passage routes; I will be mindful to maintain six feet of distance between myself and other individuals, and I will not group around the shared equipment.
• I understand that due to the ongoing pandemic I will be unable to borrow any personal protective equipment from the department and if I fail to meet the dress code I will be asked to leave the laboratory.

Additional Considerations

• It is recommended, but not required, that you notify your Laboratory Instructor or Laboratory Manager of any medical condition that you feel may put you at an increased risk when working with the instrumentation or chemicals.
• Some teaching laboratories do use chemicals that are considered teratogens, compounds that effect fetal development. If you are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are breast feeding you are strongly advised to speak to your physician about the possible risks.

Individuals who normally wear contact lenses:

Contact lenses, especially soft lenses, can trap irritating vapors against the eye. For certain labs, it is highly recommended that prescription glasses be worn instead of contacts when in the laboratory, please consult with your instructor about this policy.

When I am in the laboratory I will: (please select your choice)

• I do not wear corrective lenses or glasses.
• Wear safety goggles over my prescription glasses during the laboratory period.
• Wear safety goggles over my contact lenses during the laboratory period. I take full responsibility for my action going against the recommendation of the Chemistry & Biochemistry Department.

Certification

I have read and fully understand all of the safety precautions and rules summarized above. I recognize that it is my responsibility to observe all precautions and rules throughout the laboratory course. Furthermore, I understand that failing to follow the precautions and rules summarized above may result in disciplinary actions up to and including termination (for employees of the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department) or removal from the laboratory environment, temporarily or permanently, which may result in a negative impact on my grade and ability to complete the course.