Environmental Microfluidics Group
Three Rules to Remember
1) Safety always comes first.
a. Always wear a lab coat, gloves, safety glasses and close-toed shoes. Guests do
the same.
b. Respect biohazards: dump culture liquids into bleach; place empty tubes in white
biohaz trash can; put biohaz sharps in red bin.
c. Chemicals like volatile organics must be used in a fume hood (first choice is
Thompson Lab 48-336; second choice is Polz Lab 48-418).
d. Compressed gas usage requires training from Kwangmin. Use the OPEN/CLOSED
sign properly when using the gas tanks.
e. Ask for help if you are unsure of procedures, equipment, or proper safety.
2) The Golden Rule: Leave the lab for others as you would like it left for yourself.
a. Always label your tube/container before you put anything in it.
b. For unattended experiments, combine materials into a small benchtop space and
clearly label with name and date. Old unlabeled items will be discarded.
c. Throw away the little stuff: broken glass, plastic wrappers, aluminum foil, PDMS
trimmings, … clean up any spills (particularly on microscopes).
d. Always reset microscopes to their base condition following the guide-sheet by
each scope.
e. Treat microscopes and cameras with care: they are expensive shared tools.
f. Remove your data from microscope computer by transferring images to your
external storage as soon as possible (48 hrs max).
g. Replace consumables:
- if you use the last of something, buy more the same day
- if it can’t be replaced the same day, inform the group via email
- if an item is low, note it on the order sheet and inform Yutaka or Melissa.
- if it’s empty, fill it: MQ carboy, 70% ethanol, pipette tips, etc.
h. Trash: If it is full, empty it -- do not build trash mountains.
3) Be good citizens of Parsons.
a. When working in other labs, be especially careful, clean, and respectful of that
lab’s rules and procedures. Talk to a lab coordinator before using any lab space,
instrument, or consumable.
b. Always use secondary containment when moving through the building. Avoid
walking through office spaces with lab materials.
c. Always remove one glove and use that hand to open doors, push elevator
buttons, etc.
d. Remove materials from the autoclave room in a timely manner.