1. Working alone in the Lab

2. Working Alone in the Lab
+ hazardous chemicals
special, greater potential hazards and risks
The risk of injury is increased and so is the risk of the seriousness of the injury. Also, the injured person may not be able to contact help in the event of an accident.  These are very serious problems.

3. Working Alone in the Lab
If you must work alone :
Use the buddy system: don’t work without someone else knowing where you are and what you are working on.
Make arrangements to check on each other periodically.
Be smart:
Limit activity to certain hours (where people may be nearby)
Limit activity with certain materials.
Establish a system to contact help immediately
Be familiar with the chemistry (chemicals and equipment)
 no new experiments!
Prudent Practices in the Laboratory: Handling and Disposal of Chemicals (1995), Section 5.C.10 Commission on Physical Sciences, Mathematics, and Applications (CPSMA)

4. Working Alone in the Lab
Lab-Specific protocols/ consequences for
Graduate students
Undergraduate students
Discuss how your group handles working alone.
Prudent Practices in the Laboratory: Handling and Disposal of Chemicals (1995), Section 5.C.10 Commission on Physical Sciences, Mathematics, and Applications (CPSMA)