Lab Rules and Safety
There are a lot of potential hazards in a laboratory aboard a ship, but for the most part, assume all of your institution’s laboratory rules apply to our laboratories onboard Falkor (too).
Lab Rules
- Absolutely no food or drinks allowed in the labs. There is a bin outside the Main Lab for water bottles.
- Proper laboratory PPE must be worn when in the labs. Closed-toed shoes are required.
- Open flame is not permitted in the labs.
- Secure loose objects, such as chemicals and equipment.
- Please alert the technicians if you hear any alarms, if a piece of equipment is operating abnormally, or if you turn on the main lab oven.
Chemical Safety
- You must submit a complete list of your cruise chemicals and their SDS sheets during the cruise planning process. The Marine Technicians will prepare a binder with all the SDS sheets and that will be posted outside of the main lab in the event there is a fire or another chemical emergency.
- All chemicals must be clearly labeled in a secure spill-proof container.
- Each lab has an Acid, Base, and Flammable chemical cabinet, which should be used to store day-use chemicals. Do not store incompatible chemicals together.
- Spare chemicals can be stored in the Science Chemical Locker, a ventilated locker on the back deck with its own fire suppression system.
- Avoid skin and eye contact with chemicals.
- Laboratory safety glasses or goggles should be worn when chemicals are used or anytime there is a risk of splashes.
- At least one chemical rinse is located within each lab. This can be used as either a shower or an eye wash. If you get chemicals in your eye, immediately go to an eye wash station and get the attention of a Marine Technician or another scientist. The MT’s will reference the SDS sheet, but in general, rinse your eye for a minimum of 10 minutes.
- One full-sized chemical shower is located in the Hydro Lab. In the event you have a chemical spill on your clothes, you need to immediately get to the shower and remove the affected clothing; otherwise, the chemical will continue to burn. We will do our best to ensure privacy if this happens.
- Do not pour chemicals down the drains. Please consult a Marine Technician for safe disposal.
Gear Securing