Name: __________________________________
Period: _____________
Summary of Important Lab Safety Rules
Safety in the laboratory is essential to prevent serious accidents to yourself and to others. Heed
the following directions and all directions given by your teachers. MOST ACCIDENTS CAN
BE PREVENTED IF YOU MAKE SAFETY A HABIT!! Learn these rules and follow them.
1. Read and follow all directions very carefully.
2. Never mix, touch, taste, heat, or inhale chemicals unless you are told it is okay to do
so by your teachers.
3. Do not drink water or any other substance from the equipment or water faucet.
4. Always wear protective equipment such as goggles, gloves, and an apron when these
safety devices are needed.
5. Handle all hot objects with clamps or tongs.
6. Take extra precautions in handling dangerous chemicals (such as acid).
7. Do not perform any experiments unless your teachers are present. No one is to touch
the equipment without permission or your lab may be cancelled.
8. When lighting a Bunsen burner, always place a lit match at the edge of the nozzle
before turning on the gas.
9. When heating test tubes, keep the test tube and its contents moving to distribute the
heat. DO NOT place the flame at the bottom of the tube.
10. Do not place a stopper in a test tube when heating.
11. Use a metal screen under all equipment that is being heated; this will help to
distribute the heat from the flame.
12. Turn off the gas when it is not in use.
13. Do not smell chemicals directly from the container. Always fan the top of the
container if you are given permission to smell a substance.
14. Never point a test tube you are heating toward anyone.
15. Always add acid to water, not water to acid; stir slowly.
16. If acid is spilled, tell the teachers so it can be cleaned up thoroughly. One drop can cause a serious
burn.
17. Check all glassware for cracks, chips, or discoloration. Turn in any damaged equipment to your
teachers.
18. Be sure all chemicals are marked. Know what it in your beaker!
19. Be careful of hair and clothing around flames. Long hair must be tied back.
20. Pay strict attention to your own lab group’s work. Don’t let your interest or attention wander.
Name: __________________________________
Period: _____________
Lab Safety Rules – PRACTICE
1. Why is safety important in the lab? _______________________________________________________
2. How can most accidents be prevented? ____________________________________________________
3. What should you do before you start the lab? _______________________________________________
4. Name 5 things you should never do with a chemical unless given permission to do so by your teachers:
_______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ _______________
5. Do not drink water or any other _______________ from the _______________ or
_______________.
6. Name three protective devices that can be worn in the lab: _______________
_______________ _______________
7. Name two things that are used to handle hot objects: _______________
_______________.
8. What should you do when handling dangerous chemicals? ______________________
________________________________________________________________________
9. What can cause a lab to be cancelled? ______________________________________
10. What is the appropriate method for lighting a Bunsen burner? __________________
_______________________________________________________________________
11. Name two things you should not do when heating a test tube:
a. ________________________________________________________________
b. ________________________________________________________________
12. Turn _______________ the _______________ when it is not in use.
13. What is the proper way to smell chemicals if your are given permission to do so by
your teachers? ________________________________________________________
14. Never point a _______________ you are heating _______________ anyone.
15. Always add _______________ to _______________ NEVER _______________ to
_______________; then stir _______________.
16. What should be done if acid or another dangerous chemical is spilled? ___________
________________________________________________________________________
17. What can one drop of acid do? _________________________________________________________
18. What 3 things do you check before using glassware? _______________ _______________
_______________
19. What should you do with damaged glassware? _____________________________________________
20. Be sure all _______________ are _______________. Know what is in your ______________.
21. Name two things you should be careful about around flames: _______________ and
_______________