The Do’s & Don’ts
of Lab Safety
Lab Safety Begins Before You
Go to the Lab!
• Always read through the lab
instructions the day before you go to
the lab
• Ask any questions you may have
concerning the lab BEFORE you begin
***IT IS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY
Identify the DON’T
in the picture below:
NEVER eat, drink, or
chew gum in the lab
Identify the DON’T
in the picture below:
It wasn’t me!
1.) Broken glass where (broken test tube,
cracked test tube) should always be thrown
away in a special cardboard container
2.) Report any accidents,
spills, or breakage to injury
to instructor IMMEDIATELY
*If glassware breaks use a broom,
dustpan or tongs to pick up
Identify the DON’T
in the picture below:
When working with hazardous liquids, solids, gases in
the lab you must wear approved safety goggles.
• Goggles must be worn when:
– When working with solid
materials or equipment under
stress, pressure, or force that
might cause fragmentation or
flying particles
– When an activity generates
projectiles, or uses elastic
materials under stress (e.g.,
springs, wires, rubber, glass),
or causes collisions
– When dust or fumes are
present (Eye protection
reduces the dust or fumes
reaching the eye.)
– When using preserved
specimens
Identify the DON’T
in the picture below:
NEVER use lab glassware or other lab
containers for food or beverages
Identify the DON’T
in the picture below:
Time to go home!
Clean up all lab materials when you are done.
Leave the lab looking better than you found it
Always follow the instructors directions in order to
properly dispose all hazardous materials,
substances, and chemicals
Identify the DON’T
in the picture below:
When you must sniff a solution to detect an
odor, be sure to hold it away from your face and
waft the odor
Identify the DON’T
in the picture below:
Always wear protective gloves when working with
harmful substances, chemicals, or specimens in lab
Identify the DON’T in the picture below:
You must wear closed-toed shoes during
all lab activities
Identify the DON’T
in the picture below:
Never become involved in horseplay or
practical jokes while in the lab
Identify the DON’T
in the picture below:
Long hair is to be tied back or confined during
lab when working with hazardous substances
or open flame
Protect Yourself
Proper Attire
• Keep all long hair
tied back
• Do not wear loose
clothing that could
catch on fire
*This is not a joke!
Emergency shower
releases 20
gallons/minute for 15
minutes.
WASH YOUR HANDS AFTER LAB
Regardless of glove wear during lab, you MUST
ALWAYS wash your hands thoroughly (with soap
and warm water) after working in the lab
Protect Yourself
Eye Safety
• In case of emergency
in which a chemical
goes into one’s eye,
use the eyewash
station
Flush in water for 15
minutes
Remember!
• Do clean up after using any glassware or equipment
after you are done!
• Do leave the lab cleaner than you found it!
• Do take precautions and consider every substance
dangerous unless told otherwise by instructor.
Avoid inhaling fumes, tasting, touching or smelling
any substance while in the lab.
• Don’t preform any experiment or use any lab
equipment without proper instruction
• Don’t take ANYTHING from the lab unless
instructed by the teacher
If lab safety rules are broken the instructor has
the right to revoke ALL lab privileges