Each lab will have a PI, typically a faculty member or permanent senior staff, responsible for establishing the protocols.

Each lab should also have a designated lab incharge, typically a senior student or staff member, responsible for enforcing safety protocols.

Specialised labs are defined as any labs having the following hazards. These labs have more hazards and deserve a higher burden of safety Equipment. Hence, the specialised labs will be audited more frequently.

IISc will provide the following basic infrastructure in all labs. Any shortfall can be brought to the attention of OLSEH at safety.olseh@iisc.ac.in

Principal Investigators (PIs) or departments must maintain the following infrastructure, using project or departmental funds:

Safety policy requires that all lab users be trained in safety. Knowledge about general safety is mandatory for all, irrespective of the kind of work.

Special hazards like chemicals, compressed gas, lasers, bio-hazards, high-voltage, or radioactive materials need special training. OLSEH conducts an online test. Users are required to pass these tests.

1. The General Safety Test is mandatory for:
   • Students (UG, Masters, PhD)
   • Interns (short-term or long-term)
   • Technical staff (permanent or contract, if they use the lab)
   • Project staff (if they require lab access or work inside the lab)
2. Specialised chemical, biological, electrical, laser, radiation, and gas & cryo safety tests are mandatory for labs that house the respective hazards. For example, if you work in a lab with radioactive and biological hazards, you must take the bio and radiation safety test, even if you are not directly using the hazards.
   • The Dean has made the Biological Safety test mandatory for everyone in the Bio Division.
3. Exemptions: Faculty/PI, housekeeping staff, security personnel, administrative staff, and personal assistants/secretaries are not required to take the test.

The scorecard is valid for one year from the date of passing the exam. Users must pass the test again thereafter.

21 out of 25 in each module

1. A mail proof or a screenshot of the scorecard is sufficient for verification.
2. Automated emails with scorecards are sent only from the following addresses:
   • Aasindia-test-submit-2-donotreply@aon.com
   • safety.olseh@iisc.ac.in

Users without a valid pass certificate must not be allowed inside laboratories. The PI (or lab in-charge) is responsible for preventing unauthorised access.

The Online Safety Test can be accessed at https://olseh.iisc.ac.in/assessment/module.php All newly joined students and staff should complete the test before being granted lab access. OLSEH monitors participation through internal data. Departments may contact OLSEH for assistance in case of technical or procedural difficulties.

The IISc Safety Policy mandates regular laboratory audits to ensure a safe working environment and compliance with institutional, national, and international safety standards.

1. Each PI or lab-in-charge is encouraged to conduct at least one audit annually, using the safety checklist provided in the Appendix.
2. Department Safety Champions should verify internal audits.

11. Eating, drinking, or applying cosmetics near hazards is not permitted. No food/drink should be allowed inside the lab.
12. Food and drinks must not be stored with hazardous materials. Refrigerators storing dangerous materials should have a label saying, “No food or drinks”.
13. All laboratories must display the Laboratory Hazard Sheet (see Appendix) on the front door. To ensure the sheet is current, the laboratory in charge must sign and date it. The sheet should be posted at eye level on or near the door. The Hazard Sheet must be prepared according to the laboratory’s safety plan. It must be reviewed and updated every six months. The sheet must be updated immediately if there are any changes in the laboratory setup, processes, or hazards in the interim.
14. All labs should maintain a working landline near the door.
15. All labs must maintain a list of emergency contact numbers near the phone and one near the exit door at eye level. The emergency list should include cell phone numbers of the faculty, the lab in-charge, and other regular lab users. The emergency list should also include the number of IISc health centres, campus security, local police, and fire stations.
16. Follow a “Buddy system”. Never work alone in a lab, especially at night and on weekends. A “Buddy” is a fellow lab user who will be able to notice if you are in any distress. Friends on cell phones, in offices, or in hostels don’t count.

1. Remove PPE before you leave the laboratory to prevent contamination.
2. You can retain the gloves and eyewear while transporting hazardous materials. However, don’t use general-use elevators. Dirty gloves can contaminate buttons and other high-touch surfaces. Only service elevators or stairs can be used to transport hazardous materials.
3. Maintain personal cleanliness so that hazards don’t affect you outside the lab. Always wash your hands, forearms, and face with soap and water after work, even if you wore PPE.
4. Confine long hair and loose clothing to keep them from catching fire, dipping into chemicals, or snagging in machinery.
5. Avoid wearing jewellery, which can reflect laser light or become entangled in equipment.
6. Avoid wristbands, rakhi, rings, wristwatches, and loose ornaments. These may contaminate, react with chemicals, or snag in moving parts.
7. Keep fingernails short and avoid using nail polish, as chemicals may adhere to or react with them.
8. Avoid contact lenses near chemicals, biologicals, or fume hazards.
9. Do not apply cosmetics, lotions, or contact lenses inside the laboratory, as they may increase the risk of chemical absorption or injury.
10. Do not eat, drink, chew gum, or smoke in the laboratory to prevent accidental ingestion of hazardous substances.
11. Store personal items (bags, water bottles, mobile phones, etc.) outside the laboratory.
12. In case of contamination on clothing or skin, remove the contaminated clothing immediately and follow emergency washing procedures.
13. Use lab-designated footwear that fully covers the feet; avoid sandals, slippers, or open-toed shoes.

6. The housekeeping staff cannot handle any chemical-related spillage or hazardous materials.
7. The housekeeping staff are clearly instructed before cleaning the lab in any needed cases.

1. Excessive pushing, pulling, or twisting force on narrow glass necks, hose connections, or glass adapters must be avoided.
2. Rigid or semi-rigid tubing should be softened or eased before insertion or removal to reduce mechanical stress on glass components.
3. Softening and easing may be carried out by:
   • Gentle heating using a hot-air gun or heat blower.
   • Use a hot-air gun only; open flames are strictly prohibited.
   • Maintain a distance of 10–15 cm, keeping the heat source continuously moving.
   • Heat only the junction area, not the entire tubing length.
   • Stop heating as soon as the tubing becomes slightly flexible.
   • Insert or remove immediately and allow to cool naturally.
   • Avoid overheating and never heat near flammable gases or solvents.
4. Other methods are:
   • Dipping the tubing end in hot water, where compatible with the tubing material.
   • Use of a suitable compatible solvent (e.g., DCM), only when chemically safe and risk-assessed.
   • Light lubrication of the joint using a small amount of suitable lubricant (e.g., silicone grease) applied to the tubing end or glass joint. Excess lubricant must be avoided, particularly in vacuum, gas, or analytical systems.
   • These measures significantly reduce the force required and minimise the risk of glass breakage and personal injury.

1. All glassware, especially customised or vacuum glass components, must be visually inspected before use.
2. Glassware showing cracks, chips, scratches, or stress marks must not be used and should be removed from service.

5. The first-aid kits must be designed per the lab’s hazard profile. Mandatory extra items for the lab with specific hazards are:
   • Chemical Labs may need ointment with neutralising agents, e.g., calcium gluconate for HF.
   • Biological Lab may need antiseptic lotions/creams.
6. Consider designating a person responsible for maintaining the first aid kit.
7. Regularly inspect the first aid kit and remove expired items.
8. Restock the kit as needed.
9. Lab users must be trained in basic first aid. OLSEH conducts monthly trainings.
10. In case of a serious injury (secondary, direct, indirect, and chronic injury) or illness, always call the IISc Health Centre or seek immediate medical attention.