Chemicals are regulated by related laws and regulations according to their properties. They are also regulated by rules specified by SPring-8/SACLA. Please observe these rules while taking the following measures.

1) Narcotics, stimulants, raw materials for stimulants, psychotropics.

Store separately from other reagents in storage cabinets that are always locked, as described in the application submitted to the government authorities.

2) Non-medical poisonous substances (including specified toxic substances), non-medical deleterious substances

a）Always lock storage cabinets of non-medical poisonous substances. Keep records for the amount used and stocked. Store specified toxic substances in designated storage cabinets as described in the application submitted to the government authorities.

b）Always lock storage cabinets of non-medical deleterious substances. Keep records for the amount used and stocked.

3) Medicine

Store poisons and powerful drugs separately from other medicines in locked storage cabinets.

4) Dangerous substances

Carefully handle flammable substances such as volatile organic solvents and explosive substances that can cause a fire easily and spread a fire leading to great damage. Do not place glass containers such as gallon bottles directly on the floor. When such containers break (when kicked or hit with a chair, for example), the contents will spread onto the floor, resulting in a higher risk of accidents. Please take safety measures, such as placing a tray and the like under the containers.

5) Other reagents

Storage and control of other reagents must conform to related laws and regulations. Please control and store them in a manner appropriate to the properties of each reagent.

Many of chemicals used for experiments have hazardous or dangerous properties. Such chemicals must be handled carefully in a draft chamber. You must be familiar with the properties of chemicals you are going to use prior to experiments. Chemicals may cause health problems and accidents that involve not only the person actually using them, but others as well. In order to prevent accidents involving chemicals, make sure that you always handle chemicals properly. When handling chemicals, follow the precautions shown below.
1) A beginner must conduct experiments using utmost care, under the guidance of an expert. Experienced persons must perform all experiments carefully, even if they are already very familiar with the procedures.

2) Avoid conducting experiments alone.

3) Never leave the location of an experiment still in progress.

4) Learn adequately about the experiment you are going to perform beforehand. Then, check reagents, instruments and your protective gear before starting the experiment.

a) Understand all the properties of dangerous chemicals such as combustible/flammable substances, explosive substances, noxious substances and the like by referring to the SDS (MSDS).

b) Before conducting an experiment that can cause a fire, prepare a proper fire extinguisher and learn how to use.

c) Avoid wearing clothes, sandals or the like that allow a lot of skin exposure.

d) Always wear goggles (protective glasses) and laboratory coats during experiments. Those who are wearing contact lenses must wear goggles instead of protective glasses when conducting an experiment.

e) If necessary, prepare and wear gloves, a face shield, a gas mask and the like.

f) Check that experimental equipment is set up in an appropriate manner.

g) Glassware and handmade glass equipment often cause injuries; when handling them keep in mind that “broken glass is a potential weapon”. Do not use glass vessels that are cracked or scratched.

h) Hazardous chemicals, malodorous reagents or the like that may damage one’s health must be handled in a draft chamber. Recover highly poisonous or malodorous regents after use. When using such substances in the experimental hall (including the experimental hutch), take appropriate measures to prevent them from scattering. In the experimental hutch, take necessary measures to avoid scattering of these substances in case of leakage caused by beam radiation and the like.

i) Regents that might ignite a fire or cause a small explosion shall be handled only in a proper draft chamber made of fire- and explosion-proof materials. If necessary, use a face shield, a protection shield or the like.

j) Water-reactive and spontaneously-ignitable chemicals must be handled or stored carefully. Take necessary safety measures. Try to lower risk factors by replacing them with other substances.

k) When you must run an experiment all night or temporarily store dangerous substances or the like, take necessary safety measures.

l) Waste liquid and solid waste must be classified properly and stored in a cool, dark place while taking safety measures appropriate for the properties of waste such as placing a tray under the containers of waste liquid.

5) As a safety measure, work areas should be free of obstructions as in case an earthquake or accident should occur.

a) Do not leave reagents, instruments, equipment or the like that you do not use on a lab bench, in a draft chamber or the experimental hall (including the experimental hutch).

b) Organize reagents separately according to their category and take measures to prevent fall s.

c) Be considerate of others and keep work areas orderly when using items shared with other laboratories.

6) Take measures for prevention of environmental pollution.

a) Chemicals that might be detrimental to our health or the ecosystem (those stipulated in the PRTR Law, organic solvents/specified chemicals covered by the Industrial Safety and Health Law and the like) must be handled in a draft chamber. When using such substances in a small amount temporarily in the experimental hall and the like, ensure that the place is adequately ventilated. In the experimental hutch, take proper containment measures to prevent chemicals from scattering around in case of leakage caused by beam radiation and the like.

b) Prior to using a draft chamber, briefly check that it is properly functioning and that it does not have any broken components.

c) Collect waste solutions in a dedicated container and avoid releasing into a sink water/liquid used for primary or secondary washing.

d) Only use rotary evaporators with a diaphragm pump or water circulating cooling equipment; do not use a water aspirator. If a water aspirator is used, volatile substances might be mixed into the waste water.

 When finished with chemicals, follow the measures shown below.
1) Clean up thoroughly after every experiment. Turn off gas outlets, faucets and electrical power after use. Return reagents and equipment to their proper storage locations. Leaving reagents and other items out may cause an accident.

2) If you have vacuum or gas piping in your laboratory, be sure to shut off the main valves after each use.

3）Bring back reagents you brought in, or waste and the like that were produced in your experiments.