MARMARA UNIVERSITY · FACULTY OF SCIENCE · DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
Laboratory Safety Rules and Guidelines
To maintain a safe laboratory environment, students and staff must comply with the following fundamental rules, laboratory-specific written procedures, and the instructions of the laboratory supervisor.
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE
Laboratory work must not begin before the required Occupational Health and Safety training has been completed, permission has been obtained from the laboratory supervisor, and the risks associated with the work have been reviewed. Unauthorised or unaccompanied work is not permitted.
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1. Before Starting Work
- Complete the required Occupational Health and Safety training and read the laboratory-specific instructions.
- Know the laboratory supervisor and how to contact them in an emergency.
- Learn the locations of emergency exits, eyewash stations, safety showers, fire extinguishers, and first-aid equipment.
- Review the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all chemicals to be used.
- Assess the procedure, possible hazards, and required precautions before beginning the experiment.
- Do not use damaged or unsafe equipment; report it to the laboratory supervisor.
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2. Personal Protective Equipment
- Wear a properly fastened laboratory coat throughout the work.
- Use safety glasses, suitable gloves, face protection, and other PPE appropriate to the risk.
- Select gloves according to the chemical properties and the information provided in the SDS.
- Wear closed shoes that protect the feet and reduce the risk of slipping.
- Tie back long hair and remove jewellery or accessories that may interfere with the work.
- Do not leave the laboratory while wearing contaminated gloves, coats, or other laboratory PPE.
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3. General Laboratory Conduct
- Food and beverages must not be stored or consumed in the laboratory.
- Never taste chemicals, smell them directly, or pipette by mouth.
- Do not perform experiments or operate equipment beyond your authorisation, knowledge, or assigned duties.
- Avoid horseplay, distractions, and behaviour that may endanger others.
- Keep work areas, passageways, and emergency exits clean and unobstructed.
- When work is completed, leave the equipment in a safe condition and clean the bench and materials used.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before leaving the laboratory.
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4. Chemical Use and Storage
- Read the label and current Safety Data Sheet before using a chemical.
- Do not use unlabelled or unidentified chemicals; report them to the laboratory supervisor.
- Label prepared solutions and samples with their contents, concentration, date, preparer, and relevant hazard information.
- Use an appropriate fume hood when working with volatile, toxic, or hazardous vapours.
- When diluting acid, slowly add acid to water under suitable protection; never add water to acid.
- Do not return excess chemicals to their original stock containers.
- Store incompatible chemicals separately according to their hazard classes.
- Keep containers closed when not in use and away from heat, flames, and ignition sources.
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5. Chemical Waste Management
- Never dispose of chemical waste in sinks, drains, or general waste bins.
- Separate waste according to its chemical properties and compatibility.
- Use suitable closed waste containers labelled with their contents and hazards.
- Never mix unidentified or potentially incompatible wastes.
- Transfer filled waste containers to authorised personnel according to laboratory procedures.
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6. Accidents, Spills, and Emergencies
- Immediately report accidents, injuries, chemical spills, and near misses to the laboratory supervisor.
- Stop work, warn others, and evacuate the area safely when necessary.
- Only trained and authorised personnel should respond to chemical spills using appropriate equipment.
- In the event of exposure, follow the relevant SDS and the laboratory emergency procedure.
- Do not resume work until the serious or immediate hazard has been eliminated.
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Laboratory Safety Documents
The following institutional documents are available in Turkish. Laboratory-specific instructions and the directions of the laboratory supervisor must also be followed.
Note: This page provides a summary of fundamental safety rules. Task-specific risk assessments, current Safety Data Sheets, laboratory procedures, and the instructions of the laboratory supervisor take precedence.
