Science and Math
Safety Rules and Laboratory Policies
Implications for Physics 2048 and 2049
This policy took effect in Fall 2005.
The Science and Math Division has established a set of rules and policies
that govern the conduct of both instructors and students. The policies are
general enough to apply to all labs, so each course has additional details
or explanations determined by the course coordinator
(Dr. James Carr for PHY2048L and PHY2049L).
All students are required to read and sign a document that contains
the following statements before they will be allowed to participate
in any lab activities. Some of the specific requirements are listed
in your course syllabus and the
pdf copy of our lab policies document
here on the web, while others have always been explained in the
first lab session as summarized on the web.
(See Lab Zero for PHY2048
and Lab 0 for PHY2049
for those details.)
Additional comments have been inserted below
to explain how each rule applies in our lab.
It is important that you realize that these policies are not
unique to our laboratory. They apply to any lab you might
work in, including industrial labs. Introducing and
enforcing them in our lab is part of the educational process,
so you will have acceptable work habits when you move into
the work world.
(signed) Dr. Carr
8/30/2005
DRAFT
Working in the science laboratory entails specific important
responsibilities that do not apply to other classrooms.
To keep a science laboratory a safe working place, you must follow
all safety rules for your course. You are expected to conduct
yourself in an appropriate, responsible manner while in the laboratory
and should show respect for fellow students and your instructor,
as well as the laboratory materials and equipment being used.
-
Know the proper fire drill procedure. Know the location of all
emergency equipment and how to use it safely and properly. Be
prepared to provide assistance to fellow classmates who might
need help.
Comments for the Physics Lab:
If the fire alarm goes off, leave everything in the room where
it is and exit the lab in a prompt and orderly fashion. The
instructor will be the LAST to leave the room and will LOCK it.
The first students to exit should check if there are any hazards
down the hallway to the RIGHT. If it looks OK, turn RIGHT and
exit using the stairs at the west end of the building.
(If you see indications of a FIRE emergency in one of the
chemistry labs, turn LEFT as you leave the lab and exit using
the stairs opposite room SM210.) Stay together as you leave
and follow any other class groups who are ahead of us. Gather as a
group in the area across the parking lot to the NORTH of the lab
building, towards Lively. Staff will tell us when it is OK to return.
Emergency AC Power Shutoff: Know where the "big red button" is located.
You must turn off the power before assisting anyone who has somehow come in
contact with the 120 V 60 Hz AC power in the room.
Review use of fire blanket: your life is in the hands of your lab partner!
Additional comment:
Report any lab emergency using the phone in the lab.
The second button is a direct line to the TCC Police 911 operator.
You can also use the call box located on the east
wall outside our lab (around the corner to the left) or by
calling the campus police operator at 201-6100.
Instructions are posted on the phone and in the lab room.
-
You are not permitted to eat, drink, or chew gum in the laboratory.
Absolutely no food or drink containers are allowed in the laboratory.
- Bring only the necessary laboratory materials to the workstation.
Place other personal items in the designated area(s).
Keep work areas clean and dispose of all waste materials properly.
Leave the lab work area as you found it.
Comment for the Physics Lab:
All personal items, including backpacks and purses, must be stored
on the shelves along the east wall of the classroom (to your left
as seated in the lab). You should bring your lab book, calculator,
pen, pencil, and any scratch paper with you so you will not need
to get anything out of your backpack during lab. Among the things
you will not need is your cell phone. Turn it off.
Additional comment:
Broken glass, and only broken glass, goes in the box for glass.
Everything else goes in the wastebasket. As far as I know, we
have no toxic material disposal issues in our labs.
Comment on grading:
Lab instructors are authorized to penalize a lab group for repeatedly
leaving their lab area in disarray at the conclusion of the lab.
Instructors are responsible for the lab being in order for the next
class if the students have not done so.
-
Prepare for each laboratory activity by reading all instructions
before coming to class.
Perform only those laboratory activities authorized by the instructor.
Know how to correctly operate equipment prior to use.
If you do not know how to do something, ASK!
Comment for the Physics Lab:
This course is "Web Assisted". Some information about doing a lab
is shown on the course web site. Those skills may or may not be
reviewed during the lab, so review them and ask about them if
the skill or activity is not clear to you.
-
Wear apparel and/or protective equipment that is appropriate for the
laboratory work being performed.
Chemical splash goggles must be worn during experiments involving
caustic/corrosive solids and/or liquids.
Comments for the Physics Lab:
You will not need goggles for anything we do in our labs.
Appropriate clothing includes shoes that cover the entire foot
(recommended in our lab, required in a chemistry lab) or
sandals that are worn like shoes (e.g. Birkenstocks).
Flip-flops or bare feet are not acceptable.
Jewelry or loose clothing (or the techno-stylish flash drive) that will
hang down if you lean over your experiment is not acceptable, particularly
during a lab when it might contact a live 10,000 Volt source.
Store those items before lab or leave them at home.
Also, because there will be times when it may be necessary to kneel
on the floor, do not wear your best clothes on lab day.
-
Immediately report any spills, cuts, or other injury, no matter how minor,
to the instructor so that proper spill procedures and/or first aid
can be provided.
Important clarification:
There is no punishment for an injury. Report it! An injury report
protects you. There is a mop (stored in the back right corner of the lab)
that can be used to clean up spilled water, but also let your instructor
and classmates know about the spill because our lab floor gets
extremely slippery when it is wet.
-
You are responsible for following any specialized saftey procedures
as provided by the instructor for your course.
I recognize that I am responsible for my safety and that of others
in the laboratory. By signing below, I certify that I have carefully
read the safety precautions and agree to abide by all laboratory rules.
... signed ... (date) ... etc.
Contact me
if you have any questions.