SAFETY FIRST - A SIMPLE AND PRACTICAL SAFETY MANUAL FOR THE ANALYTICAL LABORATORY

The emerging analytical laboratory of the late 1990s is based on the t echnical, quality assurance/quality (QA/QC) control, and safety manual s. While much emphasis has been placed on analytical techniques and QA /QC programs, laboratory safety should not be addressed only in cases of emergency. However, following safety guidelines may not be simple. In many cases in the United States, Federal or State laws, and city or county ordinances are not clear, or limited in scope. University-affi liated laboratories can often rely on the office of safety and environ mental health for university-wide safety policies. Because these polic ies are often difficult to implement and because relying on common sen se for laboratory safety is insufficient, we drafted 'Safety First', a simple and practical laboratory safety manual. Its objective is to hi ghlight the 'details' that make the laboratory a safe and pleasant pla ce to work in. It is not intended to replace any other official safety document. It is primarily intended for University-affiliate laborator ies, but it may be easily adapted to other laboratory conditions, unde r the direction of the safety officer.