Lab Safety
Why is Lab Safety
Important?
• Lab safety is a major aspect of every
lab based science class.
• Lab safety rules and symbols are
needed so that students do not injure
themselves or their classmates.
II. GENERAL RULES
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Conduct yourself in a RESPONSIBLE manner at all times in the
laboratory.
Follow all written and verbal instructions carefully. If you do not
understand a direction or part of a procedure, ask the instructor before
proceeding.
Never work alone.
•
No student may work in the laboratory without an instructor present.
When first entering a science room, do not touch any equipment,
chemicals, or other materials in the laboratory area until you are
instructed to do so.
Do not eat food, drink beverages, or chew gum in the laboratory.
•
Do not use laboratory glassware as containers for food or beverages.
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Perform only those experiments authorized by the instructor. Never do
any thing in the laboratory that is not called for in the laboratory
procedures or by your instructor.
Carefully follow all instructions, both written and oral.
•
Unauthorized experiments are prohibited.
11.
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14.
Be prepared for your work in the laboratory.
Read all procedures thoroughly BEFORE entering the laboratory.
Never fool around in the laboratory. Horseplay, practical jokes, and
pranks are dangerous and prohibited.
Observe good housekeeping practices. Work areas should be kept clean
and tidy at all times.
YOUR MOTHER IS NOT HERE
TO CLEAN UP YOUR MESS-
YOU MAKE IT,
YOU CLEAN IT!!
15.
Know what to do if there is a fire drill during a laboratory period
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When using knives and other sharp instruments, always carry
with tips and points pointing down and away.
Always cut away from your body.
Never try to catch falling sharp instruments ….. DUH!
Grasp sharp instruments only by the handles.
If you have a medical condition (e.g., allergies, pregnancy, etc.),
check with your physician prior to working in lab.
What is he doing
in this cartoon???
Double Checking…
hint hint!
III. CLOTHING
1.
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5.
Any time chemicals, heat, or glassware are used, students will wear
laboratory goggles. There will be no exceptions to this rule!
Dress properly during a laboratory activity.
Long hair, dangling jewelry, and loose or baggy clothing are a hazard in the
laboratory.
Long hair must be tied back and dangling jewelry and loose or baggy
clothing must be secured.
Shoes must completely cover the foot. No sandals allowed.
IV. ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES
1.
2.
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Report any accident (spill, breakage, etc.) or injury (cut, burn, etc.) to
the instructor immediately, no matter how trivial it may appear.
If you or your lab partner are hurt, immediately yell out "Code one,
Code one" to get the instructor's attention. Seriously…. Just let me
know 
If a chemical splashes in your eye(s) or on your skin, immediately flush
with running water from the eyewash
station or safety shower for at least
20 minutes. Notify the instructor
immediately.
V. HANDLING CHEMICALS
1. All chemicals in the laboratory are to be considered dangerous. Do not
touch, taste, or smell any chemicals unless specifically instructed to do so.
2. Check the label on chemical bottles twice before removing any of the
contents.
3. Take only as much chemical as you need.
4. Never return unused chemicals to their original containers.
5. Acids must be handled with extreme care. Always add acid to water, swirl
or stir the solution and be careful of the heat produced, particularly with
sulfuric acid.
6. Handle flammable hazardous liquids over a pan to contain spills. Never
dispense flammable liquids anywhere near an open flame or heat source.
7. Never remove chemicals or other materials from the laboratory area.
8. Take great care when transporting acids and other chemicals from one
part of the laboratory to another. Hold them securely and walk carefully.
VI. HANDLING GLASSWARE AND EQUIPMENT
1. Carry glass tubing, especially long pieces, in a vertical position to minimize the
likelihood of breakage and injury.
2. Never handle broken glass with your bare hands. Use a brush and dustpan to
clean up broken glass. Place broken or waste glassware in the designated glass
disposal container.
3. Fill wash bottles only with distilled water.
4. When removing an electrical plug from its socket, grasp the plug, not the
electrical cord. Hands must be completely dry before touching an electrical
switch, plug, or outlet.
5. Examine glassware before each use.
6. Never use chipped or cracked glassware.
7. Never use dirty glassware.
8. Report damaged electrical equipment immediately. Look for things such as
frayed cords, exposed wires, and loose connections.
Do not use damaged electrical equipment.
9. If you do not understand how to use a piece of
equipment, ask the instructor for help.
10. Do not immerse hot glassware in cold water;
it may shatter.
VII. HEATING SUBSTANCES
1. Exercise extreme caution when using a gas burner. Take care that hair,
clothing and hands are a safe distance from the flame at all times.
2. Do not put any substance into the flame unless specifically instructed to do
so.
3. Never reach over an exposed flame.
4. Light gas (or alcohol) burners only as instructed by the teacher.
5. Never leave a lit burner unattended. Never leave anything that is being
heated or is visibly reacting unattended. Always turn the burner or hot plate
off when not in use.
6. You will be instructed in the proper method of heating and boiling liquids.
7. Do not point the open end of a test tube being heated at yourself or anyone
else.
8. Heated metals and glass remain very hot for a long time.
9. Never look into a container that is being heated.
10. Hot and cold glass have the same visual appearance. Determine if an object is
hot by bringing the back of your hand close to it prior to grasping it.
Lab Safety Equipment
Eye Wash
Safety Goggles
Lab Safety Equipment
Fire
Extinguisher
Fire Blanket
Lab Safety Challenge #1
T. Trimpe 2008 http://sciencespot.net/
What’s wrong? Identify 6 different
safety concerns shown in the picture below.
Image: http://morrisonlabs.com/lab_safety.htm
The answers are …
Don’t fool around
during a lab.
Always point test tubes and other
items away from yourself and
others when heating.
Don’t eat or drink
while in the lab.
Keep hair and other
flammable objects
away from flames.
Don’t leave a flame
unattended.
Image: http://morrisonlabs.com/lab_safety.htm
Always wear safety
goggles when doing
an experiment
Lab Safety Challenge #2
T. Trimpe 2008 http://sciencespot.net/
What’s wrong? Identify 9 different safety
concerns shown in the picture below.
Image: http://morrisonlabs.com/lab_safety.htm
The answers are …
Always wear
safety goggles
during a lab.
Don’t leave
materials laying
on the floor.
Don’t smell directly from
Don’t heat
closed
a container
- WAFT.
containers.
Keep your lab area
neat and clean.
Don’t place lab materials
Keep papers and other
Unplug equipment
near the edge of the table.
flammable objects away
when not in use.
from flames.
Clean up spills immediately
Image: http://morrisonlabs.com/lab_safety.htm
True / False Lab Safety Questions…
1. All chemicals that are harmless when cool will be
harmless when heated.
2. No experiments that cause harm to animals should be
done in the lab.
3. When mixing acid and water, you want to pour the water
into the acid.
4. The fire extinguisher is by the window.
5. Eye protection is not needed in the science laboratory.
6. It is necessary to tie long hair back in the laboratory.
7. It is never appropriate to handle equipment unless you
have permission.
8. Never eat or drink from laboratory glassware.
9. It is appropriate to heat a liquid in a closed container.
10. If you do not understand laboratory directions, you
must ask your lab partner for clarification.
11. If a spill occurs in the laboratory, you must notify the
teacher.
12. It is never alright to eat in the laboratory.
13. It is appropriate to taste harmless substances (water,
cornstarch etc.) in the lab.
14. Students are responsible for cleaning their laboratory
areas when the lab is finished.
15. Always point a test tube that is being heated towards
your partner.
16. When using scalpels or razor blades, cut the material
away from you and others.
17. All chemicals must be heated in a closed container.
18. When using flame, keep your lanyard on.
19. Never report accidents to the teacher- they are all
your fault and you will get in HUGE trouble!
20. Never mix chemicals for the “fun of it”!
SAFETY REVIEW
BEFORE the SAFETY
QUEST
REVIEW:
Accidents and Injuries
• Report ALL accidents and injuries to your
teacher immediately!!!
• Be aware of safety hazards associated with
each chemical you use.
• Eye accident – Wash the eye with copious
amounts of water for at least 15 min.
• Fire Burns – Stop, Drop, and be covered with
a fire blanket or soaked with water. Do not
remove clothing stuck to victim. Get medical
attention immediately.
REVIEW: Waste Disposal
• First ask your teacher
where/how to dispose of waste.
• Never pour anything down the
drain unless you are told to do
so.
• A waste bottle will be supplied
for substance that cannot go
down the drain
REVIEW: Clothing
Wear:
• Goggles/safety
glasses
• Closed-toed shoes
• Clothing made of
natural based fiber
such as cotton
• Tie back long hair
Do NOT Wear:
• Sandals
• Jewelry
• Loose or Baggy
clothing
COMMON LAB SAFETY
SYMBOLS
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Glassware
Heat
Eye and Face
Sharps
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Electrical
Animal
Chemical
Fire
Other Chemical Hazards
and Symbols
• Flammable
• Irritant
• Explosive
• Corrosive
• Toxic/Poison
• Environmental
Chemical Hazard Symbols
and Definitions
• Flammable – Any substance that will
burn if exposed to an open flame.
• Explosive – A substance that may
explode if exposed to heat or flame.
Chemical Hazard Symbols
and Definitions
• Toxic/Poison – A substance that can
lead to death if inhaled, ingested, or
absorbed by the skin.
• Corrosive – A substance that can
destroy or burn living tissue and can
eat away at other materials.
Chemical Hazard Symbols
and Definitions
• Irritant - A substance that causes
inflammation upon contact with skin
or mucous membranes.
• Environmental - Substances that
are harmful to the environment.
They must be disposed of properly,
not washed down the drain.