The Chemistry Department, in conjunction with EH&S, continuously strives to provide a safe working environment in all of our instructional and research laboratories. Despite the potential hazards inherent in chemical laboratories, proper observance of the safety practices in these webpages will minimize possible risks.

All Chemistry Department faculty, research staff, and students

• shall familiarize themselves with UCI’s Chemical Hygiene Plan which serves as a guide to generally accepted safety practices in all University research and instructional laboratories.

• shall conduct and/or participate in EH&S, Departmental, and specific safety training.

• are responsible for compliance with all safety regulations and for the elimination of hazards where they work. All potential issues should be reported.

In addition to the Chemical Hygiene Plan, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have and shall be developed and followed for potentially hazardous chemicals and techniques.

There is a preferred way to perform work with chemicals that can reduce the probability of accidents, including toxic exposures to a negligible level. To reduce the probability of accidents,

• practice the habit of accident prevention;

• use personal protective equipment (e.g., goggles, lab apron, or lab coat) at all times in the laboratory;

• use the smallest quantity of material necessary to accomplish the goal of the experiment;

• when possible, substitute a less hazardous chemical for a more hazardous one; and

• anticipate the possible consequences of the work you do in the laboratory.

Excerpt from “Safety in Academic Chemistry Laboratories”, 7th Edition, 2003, American Chemical Society.