Molecules or Ions?
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SAFE WORK PROCEDURE
LOCATION
VMC
WRITTEN BY: APPROVED BY:
Science Team
DATE CREATED
WS&H
LAST REVISION
June 27, 2014
New
PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT (PPE)
Safety glasses or face shield must be worn at all
times in work areas.
Long and loose hair must be tied back
Appropriate footwear must be worn. Shoe must
be fully enclosed. No open toed shoes.
Close fitting/protective clothing must be worn.
Remove strings hanging from pullovers/sweaters.
Rings and jewelry (long necklaces / bracelets,
etc.) must not be worn.
HAZARDS PRESENT
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Chemical burns
Absorption of Chemicals.
Inhalation of Chemicals.
Ingestion of Chemicals.
Slips / trips & falls
Chemical hazards
Burns from the Bunsen
burner
ADDITIONAL
REQUIREMENTS
APPARATUS / MATERIALS
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Magnifying lens
5 beakers
Scoopula
Stirring rod
Conductivity tester
Bunsen burner
Test tube rack
4 test tubes
Test tube holder
Labels
Distilled water
Solid honey
Epsom salts
Lauric acid
Washing soda
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Equipment orientation
WHMIS training
SAFE WORK PROCEDURE
1. Don all personal protective equipment including: safety glasses, & protective nitrile gloves
(where required). Ensure all loose clothing is either removed or tied back. Remove any jewelry
and tie back long hair.
2. Examine a small sample of each substance (water, honey, Epsom salts, lauric acid, washing
soda) using a magnifying lens. Record its appearance. Note, in particular, if the edges of the
sample have a characteristic shape.
3. Caution: Use the proper technique to carefully smell each compound. If you detect an odour,
try to describe it in your table.
4. You must wear protective gloves for this step. Test the hardness of each substance by
rubbing a small sample between your thumb and forefinger. Use words such as “soft”, “waxy”,
SAFE WORK PROCEDURE
Molecules or Ions?
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and “brittle” to record your observations. Wash your hands thoroughly when you have
completed this step, and follow your teacher’s instructions for cleaning the gloves.
5. Label each beaker with the name of one of the test substances. Pour 50 ml of distilled water
into each beaker. Label one beaker “control”.
6. Predict whether the control will conduct electricity or not. Then test you prediction and record
your results.
7. Use the scoopula to add a peanut-sized quantity of honey to the appropriate beaker. Stir with a
stirring rod, and note whether the substance dissolves completely.
8. Test the solution for conductivity, and record your results.
9. Repeat steps 7 and 8 for each of the other substances.
10. Label each test tube with the name of one of the test substances. Use the scoopula to add a
peanut-sized quantity of honey to the appropriate test tube.
11. Caution: Using the tongs, gently heat the test tube over a Bunsen burner flame. If the
substance melts, record the relative melting point as “low”. If the substance does not melt,
record the relative melting points as “high”.
12. Repeat steps 10 and 11 for each of the other substances.
13. After the test tubes have cooled, clean them and put them away. Wash your hands.
14. Clean up your workstation.
REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
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WS&H Act W210, Section 4, 5
Mb. Regulations 217/2006,
Part 16, (Machines / Tools & Robots) Sections 16.1-16.18)
Part 35, (WHMIS Application)
Part 36, (Chemical & Biological Substances Application)