*All Employees are required to read the safety policies below and fill out the form on the next page.

General safety requirements are:

USU Safety and Health Policy
Department Safety Manual

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

The USU Chemistry and Biochemistry Department is committed to the concept of providing a safe and healthy environment for students, staff and faculty, as well as teaching appropriate respect for safety while engaged in scientific pursuits. Personal safety of each individual associated with the department is of primary importance. Through the Department faculty and the Department Safety Committee, every effort is made to ensure the availability and maintenance of all physical, chemical, biological, mechanical, radiological facilities, and equipment required for safety as per federal, state, local, and University policy.

1. Eye protection - Goggles or safety glasses are required when working in the laboratory. Specific requirements can be found in the safety documentation of each laboratory.
2. Lab coat - Lab coat are required when working in the laboratory.
3. Gloves - Proper gloves are required when working in the laboratory. Check the compatibility of the gloves with the chemicals to be used. Take off the gloves before  stepping out of the lab.
4. Safety equipments - Know the locations of fire extinguisher, eye-washer, safety shower, first aid box and chemical spill.
5. Food and drinks - Food and drinks are not allowed in laboratory. Food and drink containers must be disposed outside the laboratory.
6. Shoes - Shoes should cover the entire foot. Sandals, clogs, and other opentoed or open-heeled shoes do not cover enough foot and are not allowed.
7. Hair - Hair should not be worn in a style such as would impair vision, cause distractions during job functions, or come in contact with work surfaces or moving equipment.
8. Transfer of chemicals -For transporting chemicals outside the laboratory, place the chemicals in a secondary confinement and transport the chemicals on a cart. Alternatively, hand-carrying chemicals in a secondary confinement is acceptable. However, hand-carrying chemicals directly without using a secondary confinement outside the laboratory is absolutely forbidden. For transporting chemicals within the laboratory, always wear personal protective equipment including gloves, goggles and lab coat and carry the chemicals with caution. Never grab the container by the cap. Return the chemical to its designated storage site after use.
9. Fume hood - Always make sure the fume hood is operational before use. Open the sash to proper height when operating a procedure. Avoid opening the sash too high that may reduce the effectiveness of air flow. Avoid over accumulation of items in the fume hood that may obstruct the air flow. Lower the sash when complete the operation.
10. Emergency exit - Exits and aisles must not be obstructed by equipment, chairs, supplies, or trash. Doors to the laboratory must be kept closed, exit doors must not be blocked, locked, or obstructed in any way to inhibit egress.
11. Glassware - Glassware must be cleaned after completion of the experiment. Large pieces of broken glass must be placed in the broken glass containers designated for large pieces of broken glass.
12. Chemical spills - You must know the location of spill clean up material in your laboratory. You must know the Spill Prevention and Response procedure for your laboratory.
13. House keeping - Good housekeeping is an essential aspect of laboratory safety. The work area must be cleaned up at the end of each procedure and prior to the start of a new procedure.

Teaching Labs

Teaching Labs - Students enrolled in laboratory courses in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, as well as the teaching assistants assigned to these courses, are required to follow the general safety requirements listed above as well as any course specific guidelines and required documentation.

Research Labs - Anyone working in a research laboratory in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry is required to pass the USU laboratory safety training (initial) prior to beginning work in the laboratory. All are required to follow the general safety requirements listed above as well as any laboratory specific guidelines and required documentation.