The document provides an orientation to lab safety rules for students at Northern Virginia Community College. It outlines why safety rules are necessary to comply with regulations and ensure a safe learning environment. It details emergency procedures and contact information. It also explains the proper use of personal protective equipment and following protocols for hazardous materials, keeping work areas clear, reporting any issues, and using good judgement. The goal is to educate students on best practices to maintain a safe lab environment.

1. Lab Safety Orientation
Northern Virginia Community College
Manassas Campus
Kristina Boberg, Laboratory Manager

2. Why do we Need Lab Safety Rules?
• NOVA Biology labs are regulated
by the government, including the
Code of Federal Regulations
(CFR) 1910.1450: Occupational
Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals
in Laboratories.
• Failure to comply by the safety
rules outlined in our safety
regulations may result in the
closure of NOVA labs and the
payment of sizable fine.
• But most importantly, we want
students, faculty, and staff to
learn, teach, and work in a safe
environment.
There is a copy of the Biology Lab Safety
Procedures and Policies posted near the
entrance of each lab, and it is posted on
Blackboard. Please read through the
entire form for information regarding
emergency situations and instructions.

3. First Things First:
Know your Surroundings…
Know the locations of the following:
•Evacuation Route Map
•MSDS Information
•Eye Wash
•Emergency Gas Shutoff
•Fire Blanket
•Fire Extinguisher
•Safety Shower
•First Aid Kits
•Exits

4. If There is an Emergency:
For fire, major chemical spill or emergency,
dial
9-911
from a campus phone.
To reach Campus police, dial 4-4444 from campus
phone, or 703-764-5000 from a cell phone. A panic
button is also available on the phones in the labs.
Press the button, and wait for the return call from
the police. Tell them the emergency, and which room
you are in.

5. More Emergency Information:
• If you are on fire, STOP, DROP, AND ROLL. Someone will assist you
with the fire blanket.
• In case of electric shock, use a belt or nonconductive material to
move the person away from the wires or equipment, and call for
help.
• Only minor cuts and burns will be treated on-site in the lab. Any
serious burns or injuries will be treated in a medical facility.
• If there is a chemical spill on your hands, flush with water
immediately. For spills on your person, immediately stand under
the safety shower and pull the handle. The room will be
evacuated, and someone of your gender will stay with you as you
disrobe.
• If you get chemicals in your eyes, hold your eyes open in the
eyewash for at least 15 minutes. Someone will assist you.

6. Use Your PPE
Personal Protective Equipment is an integral part of lab
safety. It helps shield your eyes, hands and body from
injuries, chemicals, or microorganisms during lab
activities.
• Lab apron or coat: Protects you from splashes and spills of
chemicals or fluids. Also keeps dirt and debris off of clothes.
• Safety Goggles: Use when directed to keep chemicals and
microorganisms away from eyes, and protects eyes from injury
due to accidents with glassware.
• Gloves: Nitrile or vinyl (no latex!), and will protect your hands
from spills, splashes, or microorganisms used lab.
All of these are available for purchase in the College Bookstore. For
safety reasons, only disposable lab coats and aprons can be used by
students.

7. Proper Disposal Procedures:
Never dispose of anything in lab without prior direction
from the instructor.
Hazardous chemical waste containers are located in designated lab
areas which may include in the chemical hood. Special precautions are
to be followed in all laboratories using any body fluids, such as blood,
saliva, and urine, because of the potential to transmit disease-causing
organisms. Always follow all instructions carefully and use gloves and
goggles in all laboratory experiments that involve the use of body
fluids. All contaminated material, toothpicks, lancets, alcohol swabs,
etc., must be placed in an appropriate biohazard container for proper
disposal and should never be reused. Slides, coverslips, and culture
tubes must be placed in appropriate containers and racks for
sterilization.
If glass breaks, it must be disposed of in the broken glass container.
No samples of body fluids or specimens are to be brought into the
laboratory from outside sources.
You are responsible for cleaning up your lab station before you leave
lab for that day. This includes properly disposing of waste, putting
away any unused materials, and wiping down your lab bench and
instruments that you have used. You should wash your hands before
leaving the lab.

8. Safety Rules for Lab
The following slides contain General Safety Rules,
which must be followed. Note that any violations of
these rules by students will result in immediate
dismissal from class, and, under continued violations,
expulsion from lab.
These rules are meant to ensure the safety of students,
instructors, and staff. You will be signing an agreement
during your first lab session, so please pay attention to
the procedures and policies.

9. Don’t put that
in your mouth!
Why?
We work with chemicals,
microbes, soils, and live
specimens in the labs.
You don’t know what’s
on the benches, or what
might be left behind
from other classes—you
really don’t want that
stuff in your mouth!
• EATING, DRINKING,
SMOKING, APPLYING
COSMETICS OR LIP
BALM IS PROHIBITED
in the laboratory.
Food, drinks (even in
closed containers) are
not to be brought into
the lab. Chewing gum
is not allowed.

10. Cover up!
• Shoulders, midriffs, legs, and feet must be covered
with clothing while working in the laboratory. No
shorts are allowed. Pants cannot have large holes
and must be full-length. Lacy/sheer/open-weave
shirts are not permitted. Lab aprons or coats must
be worn during experiments, but not worn outside
of the lab.
• Students with contact lenses must wear goggles
during experiments with microorganisms.
Why?
We work microorganisms, and also with acids, bases, and chemicals that can
irritate your skin, or be corrosive, or may stain your skin or clothing. Being fully
covered and wearing a lab apron provides a protective barrier against minor
splashes and spills. Not wearing the apron or coat outside of lab minimizes
contamination. Goggles will keep bacteria from growing on and under your
contact lenses.

11. Keep Your Hair Back.
• Long hair must be tied
back during laboratory
sessions.
• Why? If you’re working
with flame, you can
catch hair on fire. Also,
if you’re working with
microorganisms or
chemicals, these can
get in or on your hair,
and that can be
dangerous.

12. Cover up Your Feet!
•Open toed,
backless, or
open-top shoes
are prohibited.
The entire
surface of the
foot must be
covered.

13. Know how to leave.
•Identify the location of all exits from the
laboratories and from the building.
Maps are posted near the exits in the
labs.
In case of an emergency requiring
evacuation (not a shelter-in-place
emergency), you will need to know where
the exits are. Maps with a are
posted by the lab doors for your safety.

14. Put your belongings where
they belong.
• All backpacks, bags, and purses must be stored on the
provided shelves under the lab benches, off the floor
and out of the aisles. Due to potential contamination,
purses, bags, and backpacks should not be placed on
the lab benches.
Why? Trips and falls are account for a large number of lab
injuries. Having bags out of the traffic areas can prevent
accidents.
If the previous class didn’t sanitize properly, putting your
belongings on the bench can contaminate your stuff, and the
bacteria on the bottom of your bags can contaminate the
bench surface if you’ve already sanitized it.

15. If you see (or smell, or break, or
spill) something, say something.
• Report all injuries, dizziness, faintness, spills,
breakage of glass or other items, unsafe conditions,
unusual odors (such as gas), and accidents of any
kind, no matter how minor, to the instructor
immediately.
Why?
Even very minor injuries or accidents need to be
reported. Any spills, broken glass or equipment can pose
a risk, and must be dealt with quickly and correctly.
Odors, such as natural gas, or vapors from chemicals, can
be very dangerous. These need to be reported
immediately.

16. Keep the Drains Clear.
• Keep sinks free of paper, coverslips
or any debris that could interfere
with drainage.
Why?
We don’t want the lab flooding. Also,
coverslips in the sink pose an injury
risk, and can lead to infection if you
try to take them out of the drain.
Please be courteous—don’t leave
things in the sink.

17. Protect your Personal Items
• Lab tables must be clear of all personal items that are
not necessary for the lab exercise.
• Cell phone use in lab is allowed only by instructor
permission. Cell phones are not to be used or be on the
lab benches while working with bacteria and
microorganisms.
Why? Getting chemicals, microorganisms, soil, or other
contaminants on your personal items poses a health
hazard. You don’t want to get anything hazardous on
your phone, since it comes into contact with your hands
and face. If you’re working with bacteria, don’t have out
what can’t be autoclaved or sanitized with liquid
disinfectant.

18. Use Good Judgment.
• Work carefully and cautiously in the laboratory,
using common sense and good judgment at all
times.
• Inform the instructor prior to lab if you have a
personal situation which may make this lab
unsafe for you or others.
Remember to be cautious around chemicals, heat, sharp
objects, and potentially hazardous situations. Above all else,
if you are not sure. This is Questions are
encouraged.

19. Thank you, and Have a
Safe Semester!
If you have any questions, be
sure to ask your instructor.
Please read over the rules
again before signing the
Safety Agreement.