Flammable solvents are located in a clearly marked metal cabinet in the Wet Lab. The MSDS contains the latest information on the possible health hazards of each chemical. A review of the MSDS should be made by technicians working with any new substances. Statistically most accidents occur from falls, spills, and carelessness. A good deal of emphasis, therefore, is placed on keeping a orderly and clean working environment particularly as floor space is limited.
All technicians wash their own glassware and clean their working station after every use.
Experience has shown that up to one third of a technicians time in the lab may be allocated to cleaning. Along with eye protection, plastic gloves, breathing masks, hearing protection, and chemically resistant aprons are available when needed. The ventilation system in the Wet Lab, the Electrolytic Lab, and Drying and Coating are in constant use to flush fresh air through these areas. Though the ECU lab contains few toxic chemicals all bases and acids will be neutralized before discard. The program laboratory is a designated no smoking area.