General Rules
Newly hired staff must be immediately informed of the laboratory’s work procedures, safety and emergency plan, and the specific hazards associated with the products, facilities, and operations commonly used in the laboratory. This requirement must also apply to visiting researchers and temporary staff at all levels.
The following is a series of recommendations that should be systematically followed in the laboratory.
Personal Habits and Clothing:
- No activity should be carried out without prior authorization or without proper supervision.
- It's best never to work alone.
- You must always wear a lab coat (properly buttoned) and the personal protective equipment required for the type of work being performed.
- Hair must always be tied back. Bracelets, necklaces, wide sleeves, hoods, scarves, etc., are not allowed.
- Wear appropriate footwear: do not wear sandals or other types of footwear that leave your feet exposed.
It is recommended to wear long pants and, in general, clothing that prevents any substances that may fall from getting into your shoes or coming into contact with the skin on your legs or feet.- You must wash your hands after handling biological specimens, microbiological cultures, or animals; after removing gloves (see recommendations for glove use); and always when leaving the laboratory.
- Lab coats, gloves, and other PPE or lab clothing must be removed before entering areas outside the laboratory.
- Any material not related to the work area must be removed from the work area.
- Smoking, eating, and drinking are prohibited in the laboratories, as are other practices that involve a risk of ingesting or coming into contact with toxic substances or pathogens (chewing gum, applying makeup, putting in or taking out contact lenses, etc.). In general, you should avoid touching your mouth or eyes with your hands while in the laboratory and before washing your hands.
- Avoid contact between chemicals, microorganisms, laboratory materials, etc., and the mouth, skin, and eyes.
- It is recommended to use and store flammable substances in the minimum quantities necessary.
- Food and beverages must NOT be stored in the laboratory refrigerators.
- Laboratory containers shall never be used to hold beverages or food, nor shall chemicals be placed in food containers.
- Do not receive visitors or hold meetings in the laboratory: there are other facilities better suited for these activities.
- It is advisable to separate teaching activities from research activities. If equipment needs to be used, it is not advisable for unsupervised students or large groups to have access to specialized laboratories.
- Working in or visiting a laboratory may pose a risk to pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals. The risks associated with the specific activity being performed in the laboratory must be disclosed.
- Avoid wearing contact lenses.