The most important of aspect of being safe in a laboratory setting is to be alert and thoughtful. Every other rule and recommendation is predicated on the experimenter using good common sense. A source for general lab safety practices is the SBU department of Environmental Health and Safety Safety Communications. Here are some further notes, specific to PHY 252 lab:

Laser Safety

Lasers are used in several experiments for PHY 252. All are in the visible range, less than 5mW continuous power. It is good lab practice to turn lasers off when not in use and to avoid shining in errant directions or at unintentional reflections.

High Voltages

All equipment for PHY 252 which uses voltages over 50Ddc has the conductors enclosed or on rated cables and connectors. Any disassembly of equipment by studnts which requires tools or extreme meaures is forbidden.

Microwaves

The microwave transmitter used in Bragg Scattering is less than 15 mW continuous power and is not a danger to people or devices.

Sharps

None!

Radioactive Sources

All radoactive materials used in PHY 252 are "exempt sources", meaning that they have been deemed safe to handle by students in the course of lab without other special training. This policy is reviewed by the SBU Radiation Protection Services group periodically. Even in this case, the Instructional Labs follows a policy of keeping all exposures ALARA: as low as reasonably achievable.

Students who have questions about radiation safety should contact the course instructor. The status Declared Pregnant Worker is not available to a student but reasonable accommodations are very possible.