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Key Guidelines for Effective Lab Management

1. Supplies: When taking the second to last of something, put it on the order form immediately. If you know it is consumed quickly, order it sooner.
2. Everything must be written in a logbook. Not on any scratch paper
3. Know your waste stream!
4. Initial and date every page
5. Ask up, not over
6. Safety. Safety. Safety.
7. Keep your workstation clean. And the balance. And the sink. And the bathroom.
8. Review. Double-check your work, your writing, your sequence, and your labels.
9. Pay attention to unfamiliar smells and substances.
10. Write in the laboratory notebook with blue ink.

Bonus Item: When adding reagents to something, move it after to keep track.

Crucial Steps for Accurate and Safe Laboratory Work

1. Keep your area clean.
2. Document everything. Write it down. If you didn’t write it down, it didn’t happen.
3. Read the instructions. Read them again before you start.
4. Write legibly.
5. Wash twice. Rinse three times. Seven is even better.
6. Keep the person next to you safe. And the one that will be after you.
7. Wear your PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) items such as eye protection, lab coat, gloves, etc.
8. Read the label. Twice.
9. Never put aliquots back in the container.
10. A mistake is OK. Covering it up is not.