Lab Guidelines

Everyone in the CNR community is expected to treat their colleagues in the workplace respectfully at all times. By the same token, you are also entitled to respectful behavior on the part of your coworkers. “Harassment” in the workplace is often defined in sexual terms. However, harassment in a broader sense can also take the form of teasing, insults and other hostile or harsh speech, crude gestures or otherwise acting toward another person in an extremely objectionable or humiliating manner, even when that behavior lacks a sexual context.

Prohibited harassment includes not only sexual harassment but also harassment based on race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, or status as a war veteran. The University of Idaho Faculty and Staff Handbook Policy 3220 defines sexual harassment as “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual behaviors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.” Such conduct is deemed especially deplorable when it occurs in a relationship where there is a significant power differential, such as harassment of a student by an instructor, “…creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive learning environment,” or interfering with a student’s education. Under no circumstances should a graduate student engage in behavior that might be construed as harassment, sexual or otherwise.

If you feel you have been harassed or are aware of a possible violation of the University’s harassment policy, you are required to make a report to The Office of Civil Rights and Investigations (OCRI). If a student is involved you are required to make a report to the Office of the Dean of Students.

To report any concerns of public safety and security contact:PSS.

Reports regarding any aspect of student’s wellbeing can also be me via VandalCare.

To report emergencies, please call 911

Available Resources:

* Confidential Resource: Confidential reporting locations do not disclose the information shared to the university, the police or anyone else without permission or as required by law (e.g., child abuse, imminent threat of harm).

Please note: Gritman Medical Center will contact police and ATVP but it is your decision if you want to speak with an agency representative.

** Semi‐Confidential Resource: Does not disclose information that does not amount to a “Clery Crime” and did not occur on campus. Identifying information and specific disclosure is not reported, only the crime and where it occurred.

Lab safety is a communal affair but depends upon individual attentiveness and behavior. The following are emphasized:

1. You are responsible for knowing what you are doing, and the potential hazards of your laboratory activity. This means being knowledgeable about chemicals and reagents you are using, the instruments you employ and how they are safely utilized. For all chemicals and reagents there are Safety Data Sheets (SDS) available which list known hazards of chemical and biologically active substances and recommended practices for safe use. At CNR General Analytical Lab, SDS sheets are kept in room 218, the blue notebook adjacent to the information board and main desk. It is incumbent upon everyone working in the lab to be informed.
2. You are responsible for keeping the work environment neat, clean, tidy and minimize the risk to other users. You should always assume all items handled in the laboratory have been contaminated with something. Closely inspect equipment you are about to use and always wash hands prior to leaving the laboratory as minimal precaution.
3. You are responsible for the safety of others who may use the laboratory and its equipment. In addition to working in tidy fashion this also means providing information so others can work safely—any solution, container, package, etc., which is going to inhabit a common place accessible to others in the laboratory must be adequately labeled with date received, date opened and to whom it belongs so others will be able to know its contents and how it should be handled. Working safely in the laboratory is no great feat, it is a common sense—if you don’t know whether something is potentially toxic or dangerous, don’t mess with it until you find out. When working with potentially dangerous materials take appropriate precaution—protective clothing, safety goggles, gloves, and advice are all available, and their use is actively encouraged.

Acids and Bases. Segregate acids from bases and other incompatible materials. These need to be stored in designated locations, and kept separated. Acids and bases will react strongly with one another, and the consequences can be dangerous, hence, they need to be stored and used in a manner that prevents their mixing in the event of a spill. Always store large bottles of acids and bases on low shelves or on trays/basins in their designated cabinets marked “Corrosives”. Always use bottle carriers or cart to transport acids and bases bottles. If possible keep acid and base bottles in a plastic or glass basin to contain any drips or leaks.

In case of spill DO NOT USE BASES to NEUTRALIZE ACIDS and vice versa. Contact the laboratory manager if you have any questions about how to clean up a chemical spill.

Flammables. Always store flammables in a flammable room. Keep away from sources of ignition.

Acrylamide/polyacrylamide. Neurotoxins, effects are cumulative. Avoid skin contact, which means wearing gloves and lab coat when working with these substances.

Ethidium bromide. Carcinogen. Avoid skin contact, which means wearing gloves and lab coat when working with ethidium bromide.

There are many unique hazards associated with any waste that originates from a laboratory. Please follow Laboratory waste disposal guideline provided by EHS. Disposal of laboratory wastes is important for the health and safety of everyone in the CNR community and beyond. The following are basic guidelines;

Solid waste. This waste is not regulated for special disposal, therefore can be placed in a standard dumpster for disposal. Most of solid waste is removed from the laboratory by custodian. Examples of solid wastes include;

1. Office waste — paper, plastics, and other non-contaminated trash.
2. Glass waste — non contaminated broken or whole glass, glass or plastic pipettes, pipette tips. Glass waste should be placed in a sturdy, cardboard box with top, lined with a plastic bag. The box should be clearly marked “Broken Glass”. Once the box is full, cover it and secure with tapes to ensure no leakage. Take it to the dumpster.
3. Sharps — all needles, syringes, razor blades and other metal sharps, regardless of whether they are contaminated with biohazardous materials. Sharps waste must be placed in leak proof, clearly labeled containers. Please refer to EHS sharps disposal guideline.
4. Autoclaved biological material. After the material has been confirmed to be sterile, biohazard labels should be removed and the material should be placed in a sturdy bag and ensure no leakage. Take it to the dumpster.