General Laboratory Safety Rules Any Science experiments are vital for the students. They are useful in understanding the theories and concepts of science that can not be comprehended alone by any science text books. But science labs are risky by the very nature of chemicals and lab experiments that are being conducted out there. Here are some safety rules that should be followed in any science labs specially in the medical (Pathology, Microbiology, Clinical Microbiology, Histopathology etc) laboratories to avoid accidents and injuries in the lab as well as also protect yourself and yours surrounding environment.

1. 1
Prepared By :
Amjad Khan Afridi
Microbiologist
General Laboratory Safety Rules
Any Science experiments are vital for the students. They are useful in understanding the theories
and concepts of science that can not be comprehended alone by any science text books. But science
labs are risky by the very nature of chemicals and lab experiments that are being conducted out
there.
Here are some safety rules that should be followed in any science labs specially in the medical
(Pathology, Microbiology, Clinical Microbiology, Histopathology etc) laboratories to avoid
accidents and injuries in the lab as well as also protect yourself and yours surrounding
environment.
1. Before entering the laboratory changed your personal shoes and wear lab shoes. If there is
no lab shoes, then covered your shoes with disposable plastic.
2. Wear lab coat.
3. Laboratory coats should not be stored in offices or break rooms as this spreads
contaminates to other areas.
4. Wear sensible clothing including footwear. Loose clothing should be secured so they do
not get caught in a flame or chemicals.
5. Keep your personal stuff or things (mobile, bags, laptop, food & drinking materials etc)
out from the laboratory or on the shelves.
6. Avoid wearing jewelry in the lab as this can pose multiple safety hazards.
7. Cover your mouth with mask.
8. Covered your hands with plastic gloves.
9. Long hair (chin-length or longer) must be tied back to avoid catching fire.
10. Cleaned your working area.
11. Arranged all experimental material before start working.
12. Keep cut your nail.
13. Examine glassware before using. Do not use chipped or cracked test tubes or beakers.
14. Do not talking in the lab. It will disturb other lab workers.
15. No eating or drinking in the lab at any time!
16. Do not smoking & snuff in the lab.
17. Do not use mouth suction for pipetting or starting a siphon.
18. Unauthorized experiments or procedures must not be attempted.
19. Keep solids out of the sink.
20. Leave your work station clean and in good order before leaving the laboratory.
21. Do not lean, hang over or sit on the laboratory tables.
22. Do not leave your assigned laboratory station without permission of the teacher.
23. Learn the location of the fire extinguisher, eye wash station, first aid kit and safety shower.

2. 2
Prepared By :
Amjad Khan Afridi
Microbiologist
24. Fooling around or "horse play" in the laboratory is absolutely forbidden. Students found in
violation of this safety rule will be barred from participating in future labs and could result
in suspension.
25. Anyone wearing acrylic nails will not be allowed to work with matches, lighted splints,
bunsen burners, etc.
26. Do not lift any solutions, glassware or other types of apparatus above eye level.
27. Follow all instructions given by your teacher.
28. Learn how to transport all materials and equipment safely.
29. Do not use mobile in the laboratory.
30. Keep and touch laboratory materials with carefully.
31. Do not taste or smell chemicals.
32. Read carefully the instruction of the chemical and other instruments before using them.
33. Before using any chemicals, read the label carefully. When mixing chemicals or
conducting the experiment, keep the test tube containing the chemical away from your face,
mouth, and body.
34. Work quietly — know what you are doing by reading the assigned experiment before you
start to work. Pay close attention to any cautions described in the laboratory exercises.
35. Do not play with laboratory instruments.
36. Wear safety goggles to protect your eyes when heating substances, dissecting, etc.
37. Do not attempt to change the position of glass tubing in a stopper.
38. Never point a test tube being heated at another student or yourself. Never look into a test
tube while you are heating it.
39. Unauthorized experiments or procedures must not be attempted.
40. Keep solids out of the sink.
41. Leave your work station clean and in good order before leaving the laboratory.
42. Do not lean, hang over or sit on the laboratory tables.
43. Learn the location of the fire extinguisher, eye wash station, first aid kit and safety shower.
44. Fooling around or "horse play" in the laboratory is absolutely forbidden. Students found in
violation of this safety rule will be barred from participating in future labs and could result
in suspension.
45. Anyone wearing acrylic nails will not be allowed to work with matches, lighted splints,
bunsen burners, etc.
46. Do not lift any solutions, glassware or other types of apparatus above eye level.
47. Follow all instructions given by your teacher.
48. Do not leave your assigned laboratory station without permission of the teacher.
49. Learn how to transport all materials and equipment safely.
50. Report all accidents, injuries, and breakage of glass or equipment to instructor immediately.
51. Wash exposed areas of the skin prior to leaving the laboratory.
52. Washing your hands with any disinfectant ( soap, alcohol, dettol, Formaldehyde etc),
before leaving the laboratory .