Chemistry and Biochemistry Safety
Welcome to the UNF Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry's safety website. Links below will take you to important information and documents regarding Chemistry’s safety practices. Please contact Bryan Knuckley, Department Chair, with questions.
UNF Chemistry and Biochemistry's Definition of Safety Culture:
A set of beliefs, principles, and attitudes that pertain to all aspects of laboratory safety which are shared among the majority of department members and consistently implemented using appropriate department policies. A culture that makes safety the #1 priority, minimizes chemical dangers, and continually strives toward best practices. Faculty and staff are mindful of safety issues and enforce safety-related practices in teaching and research labs. Everyone is included in safety best practices and is comfortable to speak up about safety to anyone and any student.
Chemical Safety Links
- Chemical Hygiene Plan
- Instructions for where to find SDS for teaching and research laboratories
- Online sources: PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summaries (LCSS)
- Paper copies: All SDS’s are in organic locker room (50/3600) arranged alphabetically.
- All teaching lab chemicals’ SDS’s are placed in alphabetical binders
- For research chemical orders, original SDS is kept in SDS binders in organic locker room.
Photocopy of original SDS is given to faculty member.
Safety Committee
Membership: TJ Mullen (Chair), Amy Lane, Michael Lufaso, Melissa Bush, Erik Burton, Ben Williams, Sarah Nix and other constituents (laboratory technician and ACS student representative)
UNF Chemistry and Biochemistry’s definition of safety culture:
A set of beliefs, principles, and attitudes that pertain to all aspects of laboratory safety which are shared among the majority of department members and consistently implemented using appropriate department policies. A culture that makes safety the #1 priority, minimizes chemical dangers, and continually strives toward best practices. Faculty and staff are mindful of safety issues and enforce safety-related practices in teaching and research labs. Everyone is included in safety best practices and is comfortable to speak up about safety to anyone and any student.
The Safety Committee supports this culture by the following activities:
- Establishing safety levels and means to communicate and display them, and reviewing levels as needed
- Developing recommendations for the department for broad participation in safety culture
- Reviewing safety incidents and assisting the department chair in preparing the annual safety report and
other safety-related communications to the department - Working with department curriculum committee to review curricular aspects of safety as needed
Safety Walkthroughs
The requirements below are for students working in labs and will be observed during a safety walkthrough.
Current Safety Requirements
- Door to lab closed
- All students wearing safety goggles or glasses with safety shields
- All students wearing either long pants to the ankle or a lab coat
- Shoes must cover top of foot
- No eating, drinking
- Long hair, dangling jewelry/necklaces out of the way
- Fume Hood Sash at lowest setting when in use and students are working at a minimum of 6 inches into hood
- Tripping hazards on floor are out of the way
- No obvious spills on countertops that are not being addressed
- Gloves being used with strong acid/base work
- Waste bottles present, labeled, and being used by the students
- Gloves removed when handling cell phones, calculators, and personal items