In the Name of God

Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences

Vice-Chancellor for Research and Technology - School of Medicine

Comprehensive Laboratory Safety Protocol and Code of Conduct

(For Students, Residents, and Research Associates)

Introduction: The laboratory is a safe and dynamic environment for scientific research, provided that protective and safety protocols are strictly followed. According to approved regulations, every individual is held personally responsible for their own safety as well as the well-being of their colleagues. Acknowledgment of and compliance with this protocol is mandatory, and any negligence will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

Section 1: Protective Apparel and First Aid for Injuries

• 1. Lab Coat: It is mandatory to wear a clean, white, and fully buttoned lab coat at all times upon entering the laboratory.

• 2. Protocol for Physical Injuries (Cuts, Scratches, or Needle-Sticks):

• In the event of a minor cut, allow the wound to bleed briefly to help flush out potential contaminants.

• Immediately wash the affected area thoroughly with running water and liquid soap.

• Disinfect the wound using 70% alcohol or Povidone-iodine (Betadine) and immediately report the incident to the Lab Manager.

• 3. Protective Gloves: Gloves must be worn when handling hazardous, corrosive, acidic, basic, or nano-scale substances, as well as any chemicals that can cause skin damage or be absorbed through the skin.

• 4. Masks and Ventilation: Wearing an approved face mask is mandatory to prevent the inhalation of toxic gases, volatile vapors, or chemical dust, particularly when working with liquids. Please note that vapor pressure can reach levels capable of causing severe respiratory tract injuries.

Section 2: General Regulations and Emergency Preparedness

• 5. Prohibition of Food and Beverages: Eating, drinking, smoking, or chewing gum is strictly prohibited inside the laboratory due to the high risk of secondary poisoning from hazardous and volatile substances.
• 6. Emergency Equipment Awareness: Upon their very first entry into the laboratory, every user is required to locate the fire extinguishers, first aid kit, emergency eye-wash/shower stations, and main/subsidiary gas valves, and fully understand their operation.

Section 3: Operation of Equipment and Delicate Instruments

• 7. Instrument and Equipment Guidelines:
• Do not handle, touch, or operate any instrument or equipment for which you have not received proper training or authorization. Always seek guidance from the Lab Manager. Users will be held personally and financially responsible for any damages resulting from unauthorized or improper operations.
• Relocating or changing the position of any laboratory equipment without the written consent of the Lab Manager is strictly prohibited.
• Log any broken or damaged glassware in the designated "Laboratory Damage Logbook" by the end of each day.
• Promptly report any technical malfunctions or abnormal behaviors observed in instruments—especially high-precision or sensitive devices—to the Lab Manager.
• Never touch electrical outlets, switches, or equipment with wet hands. In the event of an electrical emergency, immediately disconnect the power cord or turn off the main circuit breaker (if safe and feasible).
• Do not carry multiple glass containers or chemical solutions simultaneously with one hand.
• Ensure that all devices (such as gas burners, fume hoods, analytical balances, centrifuges, etc.) are turned off immediately after use.

Section 4: Chemical Handling and Contamination Control

• 8. Chemical Safety and Compatibility Protocols:
• The fundamental rule of the laboratory: "Every chemical substance must be treated as toxic unless proven otherwise." Avoid any direct skin contact, inhalation of chemical fumes (specifically direct sniffing), or tasting of any substances.
• Dispense chemicals strictly in the quantities required for your immediate procedure. Never return contaminated or unused chemical portions to their original stock bottles without consulting the Lab Manager. Record the daily consumption in the chemical logbook.
• In the event of an acid or corrosive chemical spill, immediately notify the Lab Manager and, following their instructions, thoroughly flush and neutralize the area with copious amounts of water.
• Maintaining continuous monitoring and care of the solutions you are working with during an experiment is your strict responsibility. Always remain mindful of the work zones of colleagues working adjacent to or opposite you.
• Prohibition of Mouth Pipetting: Drawing chemicals or concentrated acids into a pipette using mouth suction is strictly prohibited; always use a pipette bulb or propipetter. Never insert a contaminated pipette directly into the original stock container of any chemical.
• All sample containers stored in refrigerators, water baths, or fume hoods must be clearly labeled with the substance name, preparation date, and the user's name.
• When pouring liquids from a labeled bottle, always tilt the bottle with the label facing upward (away from the pouring direction) so that any stray drops do not run down and damage or obscure the text on the label.
• Carefully read all chemical labels and hazard symbols before mixing reagents to prevent highly exothermic or explosive chemical incompatibilities.

Section 5: Proper Waste Management and Disposal

• 9. Waste Disposal Protocols:
• Infectious and Hazardous Chemical Waste: Must be disposed of exclusively in the designated yellow biohazard bins or heavy-duty yellow biohazard bags.
• Sharps Management: All needles, scalpel blades, and broken glassware (whether contaminated or clean) must be collected in a puncture-resistant Safety Box. Once the box reaches two-thirds of its capacity, it must be sealed and disposed of in accordance with healthcare regulations.
• General Non-Contaminated Waste: Normal, non-contaminated waste and office supplies should be disposed of in blue bins using heavy-duty black trash bags, similar to domestic waste.
• Critical Warning: Never throw solid waste, matches, paper towels, or similar items into the laboratory sinks, as they cause severe plumbing blockages.

Daily Closing and Departure Checklists

Before leaving the laboratory at the end of each day, every user is required to systematically perform the following tasks:

1. Complete cleanup and decontamination of the workstation bench.
2. Verify that all individual gas and water valves are tightly shut.
3. Ensure all windows are closed, and all unnecessary lighting, ventilation, and electrical systems are turned off.
4. Clean the laboratory sink to ensure it is completely free of any glass fragments or laboratory debris.

Laboratory User Commitment Agreement

I, ............................................., a postgraduate student / research associate in the [MSc / PhD / Residency] program of ............................., bearing National ID No. ............................., hereby declare that I have thoroughly read and understood all the terms of this safety protocol. I solemnly commit to strictly abide by all the safety guidelines and codes of conduct outlined above throughout the entire duration of my presence in this research center/laboratory.

User Signature: ............................. Date: .............................

Lab Manager / Department Chair Approval: ............................. Date: .............................