UVM Guidelines for Working Alone in a Laboratory

Prudent Practices in the Laboratories by the National Research Council states ''Generally it is prudent to avoid working alone at the bench in a laboratory building. Individuals working in separate laboratories outside of working hours should make arrangement to check on each other periodically. Experiments known to be hazardous should not be undertaken by a worker who is alone in a laboratory.''

At UVM, it is the laboratory supervisor's responsibility to be sure that all laboratory workers are trained in the specific guidelines to minimize the chance of injury, loss of research materials or property damage from working alone. Factors to cover in this training include specific chemicals and procedures will not be used while working alone, as well as other specifications for people working alone. These people should also be made aware of available Emergency Phone Numbers available at UVM, including 911 emergency contact numbersfor the Laboratory Supervisor and Laboratory Safety Officer.

You can document any restrictions you have on working alone by completing this Microsoft Word form and place it in your laboratory safety notebook for reference by laboratory workers as they plan their work schedules.

Last Updated: February 7, 2010