The NIU Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is committed to providing a safe laboratory experience for our students, faculty, and staff. In an effort to achieve a safe environment, the department provides ongoing safety training and produces a yearly Safety Procedures Manual.

The Safety Procedures Manual contains emergency personnel contact information, as well as procedures for handling severe weather emergencies, medical emergencies, fires, chemical spills, and building evacuations. Building evacuation route maps and safety equipment locator maps are also included in the manual.

The department provides fire extinguisher training on an annual basis - a requirement of all our graduate students - and also offers First Aid and CPR certification every two years.  In conjunction with the Department of Environmental Health & Safety, the department also offers training in laser safety, biosafety, proper waste storage and removal, and chemical storage.

All instructional laboratory students are provided with personal protective equipment - including safety goggles and disposable gloves.  Training with laboratory safety equipment, such as safety phones, eye wash stations, fire blankets, and safety showers, are also provided to all laboratory students.

Material safety data sheets (MSDS) are available on all chemicals used in the department.  Additionally, first aid kits are located in every research and instructional lab.

Documents & Resources

• 2012-13 Safety Procedures Manual
• NIU Chemical Hygiene Plan
• Safety Training Notes - Flinn Scientific
• General Safety Rules
• NIU Emergency Information
• Chemical Safety - NIU Department of Environmental Health & Safety
• Where to find MSDS online
• Lab Safety Meeting Schedule - Required of All Departmental Graduate Students