General Policies and Templates For Engineering labs
General Lab Regulations and Safety Issues
Attendance Policy
In accordance with the University Regulations, it is the student’s responsibility to be punctual and to attend all classes. If a student fails to attend 25% of the classes, he will be deprived from passing the course.
Cheating and Plagiarism Policy
Plagiarism: Using the words, thoughts, ideas, results, etc., of another person in a written assignment, without acknowledging the source, as if it were the student's own work.
General Lab Policy
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Late reports will get 10% deduction for each late day.
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Cheating and plagiarism are completely prohibited.
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A student must attend the exam, otherwise he will get a zero in this exam unless he has a valid excuse.
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Lab reports should be written according to the instructions of Lab instructor.
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Laboratory and equipment maintenance is the responsibility of not only the Lab staff, but students also.
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The report will be graded on clarity, legibility, and content, not on length nor on the quality of the artwork.
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No laboratory makeup’s will be allowed unless prior written documentation is obtained from the department coordinator of Students, certified physician, or Judge for jury duty.
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For approved makeup’s, the lab makeup’s must be done within one week of the lab unless written documentation from the approved sources listed above justify otherwise. It will be extremely difficult to schedule lab make ups due to the limited number of empty laboratory seats. Please plan accordingly.
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Be responsible for equipment and laboratory maintenance. For example:
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Keep the lab and benches neat and organized.
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Use the equipment properly.
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Return instruments, manuals, tools, components, cables, etc., to the proper storage location.
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defective equipment to the instructor for repair.
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Notify the instructor when the stock is about to run out of a certain component.
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In general, keep the following points in mind:
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Identify lab objectives. An experiment should not be treated as a cookbook procedure. Find a rationale behind each step.
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Come to the lab prepared. Preview the experiment as a homework.
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Keep a lab notebook to record all activities during all lab sessions.
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Finish as much as possible before leaving. This includes acquiring data, interpreting data, answering questions, and revolving uncertainties.
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All data are real. If data look unbelievable, check all the steps carefully. Consult the instructor.
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Safety is first. Change instrument settings slowly. Observe the effect of the most recent change before proceeding with more change. Set voltage/current/power limit. It is important that right from the beginning of your lab work you consider the possible interactions between measuring instruments and the device under test.
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Safety Instructions(SAFETY FIRST WHILE IN THE LABORATORY)
The basic purpose of laboratory safety is to protect students, researchers, technicians and teachers from the many hazards encountered during the use of various materials and equipment, so safety in the laboratory must be of vital concern to all those engaged in experimental work. It is therefore the responsibility of everyone to adhere strictly to the basic safety precautions provided and to avoid any acts of carelessness that can endanger his life and that of others around him. It is equally important to always abide by all the instructions for conducting the experimental work during the laboratory sessions. A set of information is presented here to safeguard you while in the laboratory.
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No smoking is allowed in the laboratory.
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No food or beverages are allowed in the laboratory.
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Avoid long hair and long sleeved loose clothes and wear lab coat while conducting experiments to minimize the risk of clothing getting caught in the machines.
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Use appropriate personal protective equipment at all time, like Gloves, Safety glasses, Skin Protection, Hearing Protection, and Foot Protection (don’t wear open sandals) .No running, playing, bantering, and kidding in the laboratory.
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Know locations of first aid and all emergency equipment, such as fire alarm, water hoses, fire extinguishers, fire blankets, eyewash stations, and safety showers. Know how to find and use them.
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Use laboratory equipment for its designed purpose.
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Always follow instructions and use only machines and equipment that you are authorized and qualified to operate. If you have any question, consult with your supervisor.
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Know and follow safety rules for specific experiments or tasks.
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Know potential hazards in your work and ways of working safely to prevent such hazards.
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Working alone should be avoided. Someone should always be within call when a laboratory procedure is being performed.
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Avoid mouth contact with any laboratory equipment including pipettes. Use safety filler to fill pipettes.
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Avoid exposure to gases, vapors, and particulates by using a properly functioning laboratory fume hood.
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Use ground fault circuit interrupters where there is a risk of an operator encountering water and electrical equipment simultaneously.
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Follow electrical safety rules and make sure your hands are dry before using electrical equipment, grounding portable electrical tools. Make sure electrical wires are connected properly without short circuit before operating. Wear protective clothing, well-insulated groves and boots, if required.
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Only trained, qualified personnel may repair or modify electrical or any equipment.
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Properly support glass wares using stand, clamps, etc. Also, use proper rings to place round bottom flasks.
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Reduce fire hazard, use shower for fire victims, while fire on clothing, do not run or fan flames, smother flames by wrapping in fire blankets, and spills of flammable solvents can be a source of fire.
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Upon hearing fire alarm, you should evacuate the area and follow emergency procedure.
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Report all injuries including minor scratches, cuts, and burns for First Aid treatment. Corrective actions should be taken to prevent future injuries.
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Report any damage to equipment or instrument and broken glassware to the laboratory instructor as soon as such damage occurs.
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Wash hands upon completion of laboratory procedures and remove all protective equipment including gloves and lab coats.