Safety In The Laboratory
Honors
Chemistry

Golden Rule of the
Chemistry Lab
Follow ALL directions and safety precautions provided by your teacher prior to each and every lab.
•Perform ONLY assigned experiments.
•Follow assigned procedure when provided.
•Don’t be afraid to ask questions!!!

Protective Wear
Goggles MUST always be worn while in the chemistry lab.
Aprons MUST be worn while in the chemistry lab to protect from dangerous chemical spills .
Gloves may be required during certain lab exercises.

Attire & Appearance
Secure loose garments & roll up long sleeves.
Do NOT wear dangling jewelry.
Wear long pants.
Wear closed toe & heel shoes.
Pull back long hair.

Behavior
Horseplay is prohibited in the chemistry lab.
•Do not, run, push, or play while in the chemistry lab.
•Students should stay in their assigned areas.
No horseplay
!

Food & Drink
Absolutely NO food or drink is permitted in the chemistry lab; this includes gum and candy.

Assigned Lab Station
•Your lab station should be free of clutter. Clean up and throw away all debris promptly.
•Backpacks should be left in the classroom or kept out of the lab stations.
•You are responsible for cleaning your work area prior to leaving lab.
•Keep aisles clear.
•NO sitting on lab counter tops.

Odors
•When smelling chemicals use a wafting motion. NEVER put your face near the mouth of a container.
•All experiments producing a potentially hazardous gas or odor MUST be conducted in a fume hood.
•Report any unusual or unexpected odors to your instructor at once.

Chemistry Common Storage
Areas
Students are NEVER permitted in science storage rooms or preparation areas unless given special permission by an instructor.

Handling Glassware
•Protect your hands when handling glass.
•Do not heat broken or cracked glass.
•Clean up broken glass with a brush & dust pan.
•Be aware that “hot” glassware & “cold” glassware look identical.
•Dispose of glass in the appropriate glass disposal container.

Handling Chemicals
•Consider ALL chemicals in the chemistry lab to be dangerous.
•Read labels on reagent bottles carefully prior to using them. Take only what you need.
•NEVER return unused reagent to stock bottles.
•NEVER touch or taste substances used during chemistry lab.

Handling Acids
In the event of an acid spill, notify the teacher. Then, neutralize the spill with sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). Brush up the residual powder & finish cleaning by flushing the area with plenty of water.

Handling Bases
•If you spill a base, notify your teacher immediately.
•Clean up base spills by neutralizing them with acetic acid (vinegar). Finish by flushing the area with plenty of water.

Heating Substances
•Always heat substances under a fume hood.
•When heating a test tube, NEVER point the mouth of the test tube towards yourself or anyone else.
•Never leave a flame unattended.

Flammable Substances
•Keep combustible materials away from open flames.
•Do NOT heat flammable liquids with an open flame or in an open container.
•Flammable liquids should NOT be stored on countertops; instead they should be stored in a clearly marked fire resistant metal cabinet.

Chemical Disposal
Chemical waste should be disposed of as indicated by your teacher.
•Not all chemicals can be poured down the drain.
•Do not throw solid materials in the sinks.
Keep me healthy
Don’t pollute

Emergency Equipment
Know the location of ALL emergency equipment such as the first aid kit, fire extinguisher, safety shower and eye wash, etc.

Fire and Fire Drills
In case of a fire alarm, do the following:
•Close ALL containers.
•Turn off ALL gas valves.
•Unplug All electrical devices.

Reporting Accidents
Report ALL accidents, injuries, fires, and chemical spills to the teacher immediately.
Report me.

Foreign Matter In Eyes
Immediately flush eyes with plenty of water using eye wash or safety shower.
Keep eyes wide open while washing and wash for at least 20 minutes. Have your lab partner notify the teacher.

Treating Burns
Immediately flush all burns with cold water and send lab partner to notify teacher.

Severe Bleeding
Apply direct pressure to wound & notify teacher.

Clothing Fire
Turn off all flames and gas jets.
Wrap person in fire blanket.
Do NOT use water because it may react with the burning substance and intensify fire.
Do NOT use a fire extinguisher as it may suffocate the person.

Exiting the Lab
•Wash your hands thoroughly before leaving the lab.
•Clean up your work station making sure to dispose of all substances properly.
•Unplug all electrical devices and turn off all gas jets.