Laboratory Safety

Laboratory Safety

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Laboratory Safety Manual

Read first! All staff, students, and visitors must study these rules before entering any laboratory. Failure to comply may lead to disciplinary action or removal from the lab.

1 · Emergency Information

ServicePhone / Extension
🆘 Emergency999 (national)
🏥 BUET Medical CentreExt: 7798, 6666(Emergency), 01726698851
🔥 Fire Service (Palashi)+88-02-85615555, Mobile: 01730-002219
🛠️ Dept. Safety OfficerMohammad Shariful Alam, Mobile: 01405 679753
🏢 Building SupervisorMr. Azam, Mobile: 01722 505296
⚡
!

Electric Shock
Emergency Action

  1. 1 Switch off the power immediately using the EPO button or nearest breaker.
  2. 2 Do not touch the victim until power is confirmed off.
  3. 3 If power cannot be isolated, use a dry, non-conductive object to push or pull the casualty clear of the source, protecting yourself.
  4. 4 Call 999 and begin CPR if trained and the victim is unresponsive.

How to use a Fire Extinguisher – the PASS Technique

PULL

Pull the pin, release the lock latch, or press the puncture lever.

AIM

Aim the extinguisher at the base of the fire.

SQUEEZE

Squeeze the handle to discharge the extinguisher.

SWEEP

Sweep side-to-side at the base of the flame until extinguished.

1 · General Guidelines

  • Wear approved personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times – minimum: closed‑toe shoes & eye protection [1]
  • No food, drink, or smoking in any lab.
  • Never work alone with hazardous equipment [3].
  • Maintain a tidy bench; keep exits, aisles, and circuit‑breaker panels clear [1].
  • De‑energise equipment and unplug before rewiring or component replacement.
  • Treat all conductors as energised until proven otherwise; verify with a meter.
  • Know the location of fire extinguishers (Class C/CO₂ for electrical fires), first‑aid kits, and the Emergency Power‑Off (EPO) Circuit-Breaker button.
  • Report all incidents and near‑misses to the Lab‑in‑Charge within 24 h.

2 · Laboratory‑Specific Safety Accordions

  • Power off before rewiring or moving components.
  • Check polarity on electrolytic capacitors; discharge before handling.
  • Keep metal jewellery away from live boards – risk of short & burns.
  • Limit bench supply current to a safe value (e.g., <1 A for breadboards) [2].
  • Minimum two‑person rule for all HV tests [3].
  • Enclose live parts; post “Danger – High Voltage” signage.
  • Use a grounding rod to discharge capacitors after shutdown.
  • Wear rated insulated gloves & shoes; keep one hand behind back when probing.
  • Never bypass interlocks or safety earth connections [4].
  • Guard couplings & belts; do not run with covers removed.
  • Secure loose clothing; tie back hair; remove hanging ID cards.
  • Stand clear of rotating parts on start‑up and coast‑down.
  • Use E‑stop if vibration or unusual noise occurs.
  • De‑energise and lock‑out before wiring stator/field terminals.
  • Wear an ESD wrist‑strap; ground yourself before touching ICs.
  • Fume extractor mandatory while soldering; keep iron in stand [7].
  • Allow hot components to cool; do not touch solder joints directly.
  • Set current‑limit on power supplies; avoid accidental shorts.
  • Ensure adequate ventilation around PCs & servers.
  • Manage cables to prevent trip hazards.
  • Back‑up simulation data regularly to network storage.
  • Observe BUET IT policy – no unauthorised software or devices.
  • Class 3B/4 lasers require wavelength‑rated goggles at all times [8].
  • Keep beams enclosed; use beam‑blocks & labelled paths.
  • No reflective jewellery; remove watches & rings.
  • Handle fibre shards with tweezers; dispose in sharps container.
  • Work under a fume hood when using solvents, acids, or nanomaterial powders.
  • Wear chemical‑resistant gloves, face shield, and lab coat.
  • Clearly label all reagent bottles; store incompatibles separately.
  • Dispose of chemical waste via BUET EHS channels; never down the drain.
  • Secure gas cylinders; use proper regulators & leak checks [5].

4 · References

  1. Lab Manager Magazine – “Electrical Safety in the Laboratory.” https://www.labmanager.com/lab-health-and-safety/electrical-safety-in-the-laboratory-13073
  2. Iowa State University EE452 “Lab Safety Summary.” https://courses.ece.iastate.edu/ee452/labsafety.pdf
  3. ETH Zurich High‑Voltage Lab – General Safety Rules. https://hvl.ee.ethz.ch/safety
  4. EEP – “7 Golden Safety Rules for High‑Voltage Laboratories.” https://electrical-engineering-portal.com/safety-rules-high-voltage-lab
  5. NIST / OSHA – “High‑Voltage Electrical Safety Standards.” https://www.osha.gov/law-regs/high-voltage
  6. SDSU ECE – “Laboratory Safety & Operations Manual.” https://electrical.sdsu.edu/docs/lab_manual.pdf
  7. University of Pennsylvania – “Soldering Safety Guidelines.” https://www.ehs.upenn.edu/soldering-safety
  8. Princeton University EHS – “Laser Safety Guide.” https://ehs.princeton.edu/laser-safety
  9. UC Berkeley EHS – “Non‑Ionizing Radiation Safety.” https://ehs.berkeley.edu/radiation/non-ionizing

5. Revision Log

Version Date Summary of Changes Author
v0.0 2025‑06‑03 Initial release Self Assessment Committee

6. Links

4IR Advanced Research and Innovation Park

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