Before editing science, I worked in academic scientific laboratories. I did so for about eight years (not including my graduate studies).

While I learned many techniques and constructive behaviors from my fellow technicians, postdocs, and supervisors, I also learned some actions to avoid from some of them (yes, I have actually observed most of the following offenses made by professional lab staff). If you work in a scientific laboratory or plan to in the future, you may wish to take note of these so that you do not put yourself in a dangerous or inappropriate situation.

Never eat, drink, or chew gum in a lab. This is an obvious one. If you put something in your mouth, you are most likely ingesting something that has been contaminated with chemicals, bacteria, or something worse. Imagine ingesting phenol, methanol, or E. coli. That is what you risk if you do this.

Never wear sandals or flip-flops in a lab. Things often get dripped and spilled on the floor during procedures, and you don’t want caustic or biohazardous solutions on your feet. Even worse would be if you were holding a cryostat blade, for example, and dropped that on your foot. Save that footwear for the beach or pool.

Never do your taxes at your desk in a lab. This is just plain inappropriate. Set aside time to do them at home. I don’t care if it is April 14^th. If it is that late, shame on you.

Never play on your phone at your desk in a lab. People will believe you are not serious about your work if you do. It’s better to keep your phone in a drawer in your desk (crack the drawer open a bit so you can hear the phone ring).

And finally…

If you must smoke or vape, go outside to a designated area. Don’t even think of lighting a cigarette with all of the flammable chemicals that are used and stored in a lab.

If you have worked in labs, what other “no-no’s” can you think of?