Lab Safety
Villanova University is committed to the safety of every student, faculty and staff member working in our laboratories, as well as the protection of our environment through safe handling and disposal of hazardous materials.
Villanova Lab Coat Program
Villanova University provides rental lab coats for all of the students, staff, and faculty members working in our science laboratories. Lab coats must be worn while working at the laboratory bench. Lab coats are unisex and available in a wide range of sizes. Lab coats must remain in the science buildings to minimize the possibility of spreading chemical contamination. Laboratory supervisor will assign lab coats to instructional lab students and provide a suitable storage area. Faculty, staff, and research lab students may obtain a lab coat from the departmental locations listed below. Dirty and chemically contaminated coats must be removed immediately and placed in one of the laundry bins assigned to lab coats. You may then get a clean replacement coat from your laboratory supervisor. Villanova recommends you return your lab coat for cleaning at the end of each semester.
Villanova currently provides 2 types of lab coats.
Traditional white lab coat - provides protection from chemical contamination on both your skin and underlying clothing.
Nomex blue lab coat – Nomex has the additional benefit of being flame resistant. Nomex coats should be worn when working with pyrophoric or highly flammable chemicals.
Lab coats from research laboratories are available in the following departmental areas.
Department | Room | Contact | Ext. |
Biology |
Mendel G09 | Lindsay Bair |
9-4858 |
Chemical Engineering |
Chem. Eng. 003 | Dorothy Skaf | 9-4952 |
Chemistry |
Mendel 312 | Eydiejo Kurchan | 9-7481 |
Environmental Engineering |
Drosdick Hall 306 | Chris Corin | 9-3329 |
Mechanical Engineering |
Drosdick Hall 004 | Chris Townend | 9-4986 |
Physics |
Mendel 365 | Jeremy Carlo | 9-3279 |
Any questions or concerns related to laboratory coat information email Eric Welsh, Environmental Health & Safety Specialist or call 9-8989.
Lab Safety Boxes
As you walk through Mendel Hall, White Hall or Drosdick Hall you may notice red "life safety boxes" posted outside research and instructional labs. Each box contains information that might be needed by a first responder in the event of an emergency in the lab. The front of the box includes a "fire diamond", a visual summary of the chemical hazards in the room, and emergency contact information for the person(s) responsible for the lab.
Chemical Hygiene Plan
The purpose of the Chemical Hygiene Plan is to provide guidelines for the use of the chemicals in the laboratory setting. For more information, please email Eric Welsh.
Research Lab Waiver
All students volunteering in a research lab must ensue that the following form is printed out and submitted to their lab supervior prior to the onset of research.
Lab Safety Posters
The following posters have been created to provide important safety reminders to all those who work in a laboratory setting on campus. All posters created by Chemistry Graduate Student, Orlena Roe.