Safety Tips

If a mercury thermometer breaks evacuate and call EH&S. Best to avoid using mercury thermometers.

Do not mix bleach with acids, amines, or even DNA/RNA kits.

Only order the quantity of flammable solvents that can be safely stored in your research lab.

Know what to do and where to go before a fire—but an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Exercise caution when defrosting a lab freezer! Pooling water may cause unexpected hazards.

Concentrated nitric acid and nitrate salts should only be combined with reducing agents under very controlled conditions.

Anyone who uses or plans to use a respirator must be properly fit tested and certified by EH&S.

Dispose of sharps in containers that are rigid, puncture-resistant, leak-proof, tight-sealing, and labeled.

Unknown chemicals are dangerous and expensive—it is everyone's responsibility to avoid creating them.