Lab manager (contact details can be found on the sign outside the room) or the department’s technician or administrator.
Lab supervisor or lab manager (see above).
Use the chemical management system KLARA for information on chemical products and access to safety data sheets. More information and a link to the system can be found on the Liunet student page on lab safety.
Supervisor or lab manager.
Lab-safety
Contact us for support for all campuses at Linköping University. Use labsafety@liu.se to reach coordinators for laboratory safety, biosafety, fire safety and chemical management at LiU.
To be used when handling hazardous substances, especially if they are volatile, create dust, or pose a risk of corrosive splashes.
Must be worn for all activities in the lab, with long sleeves and buttoned while in use.
Take off the lab coat before entering areas such as break room etc.
To be worn when working with substances that pose a risk of corrosive splashes, fumes, flying debris, or sparks, or anything else that could harm the eyes.
Must be used when handling hazardous substances and human tissue or bodily fluids.
Gloves are made of different materials—if unsure, ask your supervisor which type to use.
The above-mentioned protective equipment is generally required; in some cases, additional protection such as face masks, respirators, full-body protective clothing, or barrier creams may be necessary.
If you are unsure about which type of protection to use, ask the lab supervisor.
Always identify the risks associated with the chemical products you will be using before starting work. Information can be found in the product’s safety data sheet (SDS). Pay particular attention to the following sections:
Safety data sheets for products are available on suppliers' websites and via LiU’s web-based chemical management system KLARA. Information and links can be found on the Liunet student page on Laboratory Safety.
Further information on risk assessment can be found on the Risk Assessment page in the section Safe laboratory environment.
Prepared solutions must be stored in chemical bottles suitable for the specific chemical product and labelled correctly:
All chemical products must be stored in approved chemical cabinets.
To prevent accidents, chemicals or solutions must not be stored in fume cupboards, on workbenches, or on high shelves.
Always work on the smallest possible scale to reduce the use of materials and chemicals.
The general rule is that all chemical waste must be collected.
Small amounts of non-hazardous substances or solutions may be disposed of via the municipal sewage system only if it is clearly safe and does not pose any risk to humans, the environment, or property (e.g. fire risk, damage to drainage pipes, or risk during plumbing work).
The quantity and concentration limits specified for certain chemical products and solutions in Handling of Common Liquid Chemical Waste must not be exceeded.
Please note that radioactive solutions, solutions containing infectious agents, or GMM (Genetically Modified Microorganisms) are subject to different legal requirements.
More information on risk assessment for biological agents and GMM (Genetically Modified Microorganisms) can be found under the Biosafety section.
Always identify the risks associated with the microorganism you will be using before starting work.
Label plates and flasks with:
Note: Petri dishes must always be labelled on the bottom, as lids can fall off or be mixed up.
Microorganisms must never be stored on an unprotected bench.
Infectious waste must be inactivated before disposal (e.g. by autoclaving or another appropriate inactivation method).
Work according to good microbiological practice to protect yourself and others. More information can be found on the Public Health Agency of Sweden’s biosafety page. (in Swedish)
Work in accordance with method descriptions, instructions, and risk assessments to prevent accidents from occurring.
Before starting work, locate the following in the laboratory:
In the event of an emergency involving danger to people, property, premises, or the environment, always call 112.
Dialling 112 connects you to ambulance services, police, fire department, poison Information Centre, and the on-call doctor. Do not end the call until you have received clear instructions.
Read about LiU's procedures for fire response on the Liunet student page on Fire safety.
For minor spills, use protective equipment and appropriate tools to safely clean up.
For more information, see: Cleaning minor spills under the section on Emergencies and accidents.
In the event of life-threatening situations, always call 112. If the situation is not urgent, seek medical advice through 1177 (the Swedish healthcare advice line) or another appropriate service.
If you sustain a needle-stick injury, cut, or splash that involves human blood, tissue, or an infectious agent, it is essential to clean the affected area thoroughly and seek medical attention. The procedures for such incidents are described in "Procedure for needle-stick, cut, and splash injuries – Risk of bloodborne or other infections", which can be found on the Biosafety pages. To access this procedure, you will need to log in with your LiU ID.
All incidents (near-accidents) and accidents occurring in the workplace must be documented to ensure that responsible personnel are informed and can take action to prevent future occurrences. Proper documentation is also required for the university’s insurance coverage in case of any complications. A reporting form for laboratory incidents or accidents must be completed together with the lab supervisor.
Notify the lab supervisor, and if necessary, the lab manager (contact details can be found on the door of the facility) and/or the equipment manager.
Do not pour chemical products or solutions down the drain, as this can result in environmental damage or the accumulation of toxic/explosive vapours in the drainage system or the room.
Autoclave infectious waste or decontaminate in another way before disposal.
Separate clean, dry packaging (paper/plastic/glass) into containers designated for these fractions.