University of Tasmania, Australia

The School of Geography and Environmental Studies is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace for students. Accordingly students who engage in projects that involve working in the laboratory should be aware of the following points.

• Appropriate clothing should be worn during laboratory sessions. Many students will have lab coats from other courses. These should be worn, especially when handling liquids other than water or ethanol. Lab coats are also available from the Union Shop for approx. $35.00.
• Suitable footwear must be worn at all times. Shoes covering all of the feet are the only acceptable footwear. Students wearing thongs or sandals or in bare feet will not be permitted to work in the laboratory.
• The storage or consumption of food is not permitted in any of the schools laboratories.
• When laboratory work involves chemical testing, Material Safety Data Sheets (msds) will be provided for any chemicals used. Students should take the time to familiarise themselves with these. (msds list any known hazards associated with a particular chemical and any recommended safety measures).
• Where personal protective equipment is recommended (e.g. safety glasses or rubber gloves) please ensure their use.
• If gloves are not used always wash your hands thoroughly after a laboratory session.
• Long hair must be safely tied back.
• Always take note of any signage which may be associated with a particular piece of equipment and familiarise yourself with the locations of fire extinguishers, fire blankets, eye-wash stations, first-aid stations and fire exits.
• Please keep your work space tidy, label your work and clean up after your laboratory session.
• Report any accidents or hazards to the laboratory manager.

If in doubt about any issue, please ask your supervisor for advice. 
If you have an issue which can not be resolved in this way, please contact the OH&S Representative.