Lab Policies & Safety
The following policies and guidelines are to be followed in the lab. Failure to adhere to these policies may result in the revocation of lab access.
The lab is available for general use during regular lab hours. During class hours which coincide with the regular lab hours, classes have first priority, but students can use any open bay or the projects room. However, during class hours, please keep voices down and do not be disruptive. The lab is NOT available outside of the regular hours, except for extended hours, scheduled classes, and events. You must have your PennCard to access the lab during extended hours, and must sign-in and sign-out with staff on duty.
In general the lab can be used for group meetings, as a study space, personal activities, etc, as long as activities follow these rules and are not disruptive to other lab users. Disruptive or destructive behavior will result in being removed from the lab and access to the lab will be revoked.
The lab space, equipment, and software are for student educational use only, whether through coursework or independent learning, exploration, and development. The facilities may not be used for research.
Appropriate clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn as described in this page, depending upon what you are doing in the lab. Close-toed and close-heeled footwear MUST be worn at all times while inside the laboratory. If necessary, bring a pair to change with you. Failure to adhere to the lab's clothing and PPE requirements will require that you leave the laboratory or cease working on the specific project.
If you need specific equipment, supplies or procedure/protocol information, find them using the Equipment & Inventory link on this website. Make sure to review all of the literature available on the website. If you are unsure about anything, contact the Lab Staff. Note that lab sessions may not allow the use of equipment or supplies beyond those provided - consult your instructor, TA or Lab Staff if you are unsure.
Return all equipment to where they were taken. If equipment is to be relocated for the purposes of a project for more than one day, obtain permission from the lab staff and return the equipment to the original location(s) after use.
The lab does not provide storage of material. Specific classes have lockers available in the main entrance of the lab, and lockers are available outside of the lab for senior design. These senior design lockers must be reserved by providing the lab staff with your locker number choice and using your own lock.
Do not wait until a supply of materials is depleted before asking the staff to place an order for more. There is a turnaround time of at least five (5) days for all orders. This goes for the CO2 tanks as well. Keep an eye on tank and line pressure. If supplies are dwindling, inform the lab staff immediately.
Rooms 211 & 214 are off-limits. If items in these rooms are needed, please ask the lab staff. Most items from the office (214) can be borrowed with a valid PennCard for students in authorized classes and programs. Items not returned when required will result in an incomplete, lower grade, or other penalty.
All glassware and plasticware must be labeled using labeling tape. The exception are the tubes and cuvettes, all of which are disposable.
Clean up your area or equipment after you are finished with your work. Everything should be returned just as it was when you arrived. Clean up information is available here.
Dispose of all supplies and materials in appropriately marked areas or as directed by the Laboratory Staff. If you are unsure of where something is to be disposed, ask the Lab Staff. Details on disposal can be found here.
Eating and drinking are strictly prohibited in the laboratory, with the exception of Rooms 211 and 214. All food must be stored in a bag and placed in the spaces provided at the entrance to the laboratory.
All bags and coats MUST be stored in the cubbies under your lab bench. Aisles must be kept clear.
All work using chemicals or biological materials (eg. cells and enzymes) MUST be discussed and approved by the Lab Director before work can begin.
Gloves, safety glasses, & lab coat MUST be worn when dealing with chemicals and animal parts, along with long pants.
When drilling using a saw, safety glasses must be worn.
When soldering, safety glasses and lab coat must be worn. More details on soldering safety which MUST be followed can be found through EHRS (Link).
Gloves MUST be removed when using computers (ie. touching keyboards and computer mice) and other personal electronics.
In case of broken glass, please contact the Lab Staff immediately. Do not attempt to clean it up yourself.
When dealing with electrophysiological signals, appropriate safety procedures MUST be followed. See details here.
In case of emergency, contact the Laboratory Staff, the Course Instructor or a Teaching Assistant immediately. In the case of chemical contact, cut, or puncture, flush the affected area for 15 minutes with soap and water. If splashed in eyes, use emergency eyewash. Hold both eyes open and flush for 15 minutes. Students must follow the emergency response procedures stated on the Emergency Response instructions poster, which shall be posted in the lab. Emergency procedures poster can be downloaded from our website at: https://ehrs.upenn.edu/emergency-info.
Intellectual Property (IP) Note: In general, inventions made by students remain the property of the student even when using this laboratory space, generally available material in the lab, and basic help from the lab staff. Students are encouraged to disclose their work early on with the Penn Center for Innovation (PCI) to maintain their property and request a waiver of ownership from the university. Details of Penn's IP policies can be found here; students should pay special attention to 2.1.2 - 2.1.4.