WORKING IN LABORATORIES AFTER REGULAR HOURS

The American Chemical Society states that one should never work alone in the laboratory. In addition, the OSHA Laboratory Standard states, "Do not work alone in a laboratory if the procedures being conducted are hazardous".

Accidents are unexpected by definition, and if a person is working alone when one occurs, his or her ability to respond appropriately could be severely impaired, which could result in personal injury or death and catastrophic facility damage.

POLICY:

Undergraduate students are not permitted to work alone outside of normal working hours in teaching and research laboratories.   (It is our policy that undergraduate students should not work alone at any time.)   Undergraduate students may follow the "Buddy System" procedures if approved by their Laboratory Advisor/Supervisor.   (Described below)

Graduate students and Faculty/Staff/Principal Investigators who must work alone in a laboratory, may follow the "Procedure for Notifying Public Safety" if they do not have a "buddy". However, experiments known to be hazardous must not be undertaken when alone in a laboratory. (Procedures described below)

Supervisors define the type of experiments which may or may not be conducted while working alone and under which conditions working alone is permitted.

 
  • The Faculty/Laboratory Advisor, or Supervisor must know when the student is working in the laboratory and what laboratory work is being conducted.
 
  • All students must be trained on the hazards of the hazardous substances and equipment that they will be working with.
 
  • All students must know what to do and who to contact in the event of a chemical spill or accidental exposure.
 
  • All students must know what to do and who to contact in case of a fire or medical emergency.
BUDDY SYSTEM PROCEDURE:

When approved, undergraduate students must have a "buddy" when working alone in a laboratory after hours, weekends or holidays. Your "buddy" must be nearby so that he/she can call for help in an emergency. (Fire, spill, contamination, illness, injury, etc.) Coordinate schedules. A "buddy" can be a fellow student, faculty member or co-worker.

  * Exceptions to the buddy system procedure for undergraduate students may only be authorized by the appropriate Department Chair and the Safety Director.  However, the procedures for notifying Public Safety must still be followed.
PROCEDURE
FOR
NOTIFYING PUBLIC SAFETY:

When working alone in a laboratory after hours, weekends or holidays, graduate students and faculty/staff must call Public Safety (X7000) if they do not have a "buddy." Inform the public safety officer of your:

  • Location
  • Approximate length of stay
  • Intention to call when you are ready to leave
 

Public Safety will log this information and if a second phone call is not received, they will check on the solitary worker. Public Safety will also check on the worker during their rounds.

In addition, individuals working in separate laboratories must make arrangements to check on each other periodically.

However, experiments known to be hazardous must not be undertaken by a worker/student alone in a laboratory.

Laboratories can be swiftly and suddenly dangerous, therefore, all lab workers/students need to be able to get help promptly. Laboratory Supervisors/Advisors must work with laboratory staff and students to decide on an appropriate plan.

"Prudent Practices in the Laboratory", National Research Council Definition:
ALONE means beyond visual or audible range of any individual for more than a few minutes at a time.

University of the Sciences in Philadelphia • 600 South Forty-third Street • Philadelphia, PA 19104-4495 • phone: 215-596-8800 • email: safety@usip.edu