Lab Safety

Safety is very important in the lab setting, both for those working in the lab and the equipment in the lab.

When working with lasers, make sure to wear the protective glasses that are in the lab whenever you around any laser outside of the visible spectrum, and do not operate it unless so designated by the supervisor. When using any laser make sure that the laser is secured safely on the optics table before use, and make sure there are no stray beams coming from the set up. If there are stray beams either adjust the set up or find a safe object to block the stray beam from leaving the optics table. These lasers are very useful, but need to be handled with care otherwise they can injure people.

For things like mirrors, lenses, and other such optics there are a few important precautions that should be taken. Make sure they are handled with care. If protocol such as this is not followed then supplies are damaged more frequently and more must be ordered, which takes away from the lab’s resources. When the optics have served their purpose be sure to place them back where they belong (and in containers if they have one). Should an optic break clean the area thoroughly and let the supervisor know (he or she may have to order a replacement).

When working with electrical equipment, always wear gloves. This provides protection against any shocks and prevents fragile equipment such as cameras from getting fried due to charge build from friction. When connecting a piece of equipment to a power source, make sure it is connected properly (if there are different types of outlets in the lab, make sure that you are plugging it into the correct outlet) and securely. If something should spark or shock you, stop using it immediately, let the supervisor and other research assistants know, and do not use the equipment again until the supervisor confirms it is safe to use. If these things go unreported they can cause injury, which someone can not do something they enjoy, and the lab can be investigated and/or shutdown.

Be sure to learn how a tool works before using it, and when finished using tools be sure to put them back securely and neatly where they were found. Do not tinker with someone's set up unless you are working with them, you have asked them before, or the supervisor gives you permission. There will likely be chemicals in the lab that serve different purposes. Talk with the supervisor to see which ones are safe for all to use and which ones research assistants are not to use. If there are any irregularities in the lab, report them to the supervisor. Do not step on the optics tables for support, they are "floating" (they are on hydraulic lifts so that they move to not disturb experiments if the table gets bumped), so they will not provide good support if they are stepped on. This is all to protect those working in the lab so that they can pursue what they love at any time. Working in a research lab is a great opportunity and it is most fun when everybody is safe and when the lab has the equipment needed to perform research. Thus, the most fun in a lab occurs when people practice good safety with themselves and the equipment.