Department of Physics 
General Rules on Safety in Laboratories

All laboratory workers are bound by the Safety Regulations of the City University as well as the relevant enacted laws and ordinances.
In addition, the following rules should be adhered to.

1. Undergraduate students are NOT ALLOWED TO WORK in a laboratory WITHOUT SUPERVISION.
2. Undergraduate students are NOT ALLOWED TO KEEP ANY KEY of the laboratories.
3. New research students/staff are NOT ALLOWED TO WORK in a laboratory before the completion of the safety training.
4. Students/staff SHOULD NOT WORK ALONE in a laboratory; when he/she needs to work with hazardous chemicals, e.g., strong acids and alkalis or on electricity connection, there MUST be at least one more person in the same room. All research personnel should seek the help of a companion when he/she must work in the laboratory outside normal office hours, otherwise he/she is required to utilize the Personal Alarm System in PHY labs. Experiments should not be left unattended.
5. Prior approval from your supervisor is needed to stay in a laboratory beyond 11:00 p.m.  Please download and print the OVERNIGHT APPLICATION form for application.
6. SMOKING, EATING & DRINKING ARE STRICTLY FORBIDDEN. Do not bring food or drinks into a laboratory.
7. DO NOT RUN OR PLAY in laboratories.
8. Loose clothing is potentially hazardous. Secure ties and tie up long hair. You are also advised to wear laboratory coat.
9. Familiarise yourselves with the FIRE EXITS and ESCAPE ROUTES. These are posted in every laboratory.
10. Familiarise yourself with EMERGENCY PROCEDURES. These are posted at the entrance of each laboratory.
11. Wear gloves ONLY when working with hazardous chemicals and other materials. No gloves on door handles, keyboards, mouse etc.
12. Wastes & solvents must be disposed of properly. Consult your supervisor or the technicians in case of doubt.
13. Package non-hazardous lab glass waste items in specific cardboard boxes.
14. “Sharps waste” means any device having acute rigid corners, edges, or protuberances capable of cutting or piercing, including, but not limited to, all of the following: hypodermic needles, syringes, razor blades and scalpel blades. Under no circumstances should “sharps waste” be disposed of in the normal trash. Sharps must be disposed of in the sharp disposal bin.
15. All accidents must be reported to the technical officer/supervisor immediately.
16. Wearing EYE PROTECTION is mandatory when working with hazardous chemicals or operating UV instruments or LASERS, and in laboratories where such notices are posted. Consult your supervisor or the technicians for the appropriate type of eye-protection equipment. In other areas, you are encouraged to wear eye protection as a good safety practice. Users of laser classes 3B and 4 are reminded to undergo eye-sight tests arranged by the university. This should be carried out before the first use of laser and again before leaving the university.
17. There is a separate set of rules governing the use of Radiation Laboratories. These are posted at the entrance of the Radiation Laboratory. All users must observe the RADIATION SAFETY GUIDELINES.
18. Before commencement of a new experiment, you should complete a RISK ASSESSMENT (You may download the form here) and obtain approval from your supervisor.

Safety Guidelines:

• Declaration form for Non-CityU lab users
• Guidelines of Handling and Characterization of Human Tissues
• PHY Laboratory Discipline Policy
• PHY Electron Microscope Regulations

Useful Links:

• Sigma-Aldrich MSDS database
• https://www.cityu.edu.hk/csci/research/laboratory-safety-information

In case of questions, please contact:

Department Safety Officer:
Prof KM Yu
Room G6758, YEUNG
Tel. 3442 7813

Department Safety Representative:
Dr Dennis Lo
Room P2834, YEUNG
Tel. 3442 4748