The First Safety Lesson of the New Semester: Strengthening Defence to Safeguard Safe Research
As the new semester begins, all laboratories have gradually resumed intensive research activities. To ensure that scientific work proceeds smoothly and efficiently, the Institute’s Safety Management Office hereby reminds all researchers: Safety is the solid foundationof research, and must never be neglected at any time.
I. Keep Fundamental Operations in Mind and Eliminate Habitual Violations
Personal protective equipment is the bottom line:When entering the laboratory, be sure to wear lab coats, safety goggles, gloves, etc., in accordance with the experimental procedures; long hair must be tied back.
Know your reagents and equipment:Before using any chemical, carefully read its Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS); before operating large equipment or equipment involving high temperature, high pressure, or high speed, be sure to receive training and become familiar with the operating procedures.
Remember to cut off power when leaving: After experiments or when temporarily leaving the lab, turn off the power, heat sources, gas supplies, and water supplies of all equipment not in use. Heating equipment such as ovens and muffle furnaces must not be left running overnight.
Mandatory inspection before restarting equipment:For instruments and equipment used for the first time after a long holiday, especially water, electricity, and gas facilities, high temperature and high pressure devices, gas cylinders, fume hoods, etc., conduct safety checks and commissioning before use; they may be started only after confirming they are in normal condition.
Clean up the environment first:Restore and maintain laboratory cleanliness, ensuring that fire exits, emergency exits, and emergency facilities (fire extinguishers, sprinklers, eyewash stations) are free of any obstructions or blockages.
Take full inventory of hazardous chemicals:Conduct a thorough check of all hazardous chemicalsstored in the laboratory, ensuring that labels are clear and storage is standardised; dispose of waste chemicals promptly and in accordance with regulations; mixing or prolonged storage is strictly prohibited.
II. Control Hazard Sources and Leave No Room for Hidden Dangers
Chemicals must be strictly managed:All chemicals must have clear labels and be stored by category. Flammable and explosive substances must be kept away from heat sources; strong acids and strong bases should be stored in designated cabinets. Hoarding large quantities without authorisation or mixing unknown chemicals is strictly prohibited.
Gas cylinders must be secure and pipelines clear:Gas cylinders must be fixed in place, kept away from open flames, and regularly inspected for ageing or leaking pipelines. Areas where combustible gases are used must have adequate ventilation.
Waste liquids and solids must be sorted and disposed of properly: Experimental waste liquids and residues must be collected and labelled by category according to regulationsof SCBB; it is strictly forbidden to pour them into ordinary drains or mix them with household waste.
Plan reasonably:Arrange experimental schedules appropriately; avoid scheduling multiple high risk experiments in a short period of time. Teaching experiments should be conducted in batches with controlled participant numbers.
Conduct risk assessments:Before conducting new experiments or changing protocols, safety risk assessments must be performed, and corresponding protective and emergency measures must be established.
Ensure on site supervision:High risk experiments must be conducted with at least two people present, and there must be an experienced teacher or senior student on site for guidance and supervision. Operating alone is strictly forbidden.
Training must be thorough:All personnel entering the laboratory, including new students, visiting scholars, etc., must receive and pass the laboratory specific safety training and assessment. Those who have not passed are strictly prohibited from working independently.
III. Stay Calm in Emergencies and Follow Clear Procedures
1. Handle minor incidents immediately:In the event of a small chemical spill, treat it immediately according to the emergency plan using the appropriate absorbent materials, and ventilate the area.
2. For fire, cut off sources and raise the alarm:Immediately cut off power and gas supplies, use the correct fire extinguishing equipment (e.g., dry powder extinguisher, fire blanket) to fight the initial fire, call for help, press the fire alarm, and evacuate along the emergency exits.
3. For personal injury, provide first aid:If chemicals come into contact with skin or eyes, immediately rinse with plenty of running water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical attention promptly. Report the incident to your supervisor and safety management teacher without delay.
4. For accidental injury:Call for help immediately, seek a first aid kit, and if necessary contact your supervisor, classmates, or other teachers for assistance; in serious cases, call 120 directly.
IV. Safety Is a Responsibility and a Culture
New members must be trained first:Faculty members and senior students in each research group have the responsibility to provide safety training and practical guidance to new laboratory members (including undergraduates, graduate students, and visiting scholars), and confirm their competency before allowing them to work independently.
Report any issues immediately:If you discover any equipment malfunction or safety hazard (e.g., exposed wires, water pipe leakage, blocked fire exits), report it immediately by phone or through the online system for repair or escalation.
Conduct a final check before leaving:The last person leaving the laboratory each day must perform the “five close” safety check: turn off water, turn off electricity, turn off gas, close windows, and lock the door.
Enforce safety responsibilities:The head of each research group is the direct responsible person for laboratory safety and must ensure that all regulations are implemented properly.
Strengthen emergency duty coverage:The college will arrange duty personnel to ensure smooth communication. In case of an emergency, it must be reported immediately.
The path of scientific research is filled with the joy of discovery, but it also carries potential risks. Strictly adhering to safety regulations is not only a responsibility for your own life and the lives of others, but also a sign of respect for the research enterprise itself. Let us integrate safety awareness into every experimental detail from the very first day of the new semester, and work together to create a safe, secure, and efficient research environment.
Safety Working Group of the SCBB
3 March 2026
