SAFETY AND GENERAL RULES FOR CHEMISTRY LABORATORIES
1. Conduct yourself in a responsible manner at all times in the laboratory. FOOLING AROUND or
“horseplay” of any kind will not be tolerated.
2. Always wear a lab coat (knee length) and safety goggles during the entire duration of the
laboratory class. Open shoes such as sandals should never be worn in the lab. (PERSONAL EYE
GLASS IS NOT ENOUGH, USE OF CONTACT LENS IS PROHIBITED).
3. Smoking; eating; drinking; storing food, beverages, or tobacco; applying cosmetics or lip balm
are not permitted in laboratories.
4. LONG HAIR, MUST BE TIED BACK TO AVOID CATCHING FIRE or dip into chemicals.
5. Know the location of the fire extinguisher, eye wash station, first aid kit, and safety shower.
6. Keep pathways clear by placing extra items, (books, bags, etc.) on the shelves or under
worktables.
7. Keep your area clean and free of clutter. Backpacks should be placed at the front of the lab where
no one will trip over them.
8. Do not wander around the room, distract other students, startle other students, or interfere with
the laboratory experiments of others.
9. Do your share of the lab; do not rely on your lab partner to do all of the work. Before starting the
lab, work out a way to share the responsibilities.
10. Read instructions carefully. Many questions you might have are answered in the lab procedure.
Do not skip steps, follow the directions in the order they are given.
11. WORK QUIETLY – Know what you are doing. Read the assigned experiment thoroughly before
you start to work. Pay close attention to any CAUTIONS described in laboratory exercises.
12. Performance of unauthorized experiments is strictly prohibited.
13. All chemicals in the laboratory are to be considered dangerous. Avoid handling chemicals with
your fingers. Never taste any substance in the chemistry laboratory.
14. If you need to smell a chemical, hold the container away from your face and slowly move (waft
or wave) the air directly above the container towards your nose with your hand.
15. NEVER point a test tube being heated at another student or yourself. Never look into a test tube
while you are heating it.
16. All personal injuries, however slight occurring in the laboratory must be reported to the instructor
in charge of the laboratory.
17. Any accident, such as the spilling of dangerous or corrosive chemicals, or the breakage of glass or
equipment must be reported to the instructor or lab in charge immediately.
18. Insoluble solid matter (paper, matches, broken glass, etc.) must be kept out of sinks at all times.
19. Unused chemicals should not be returned to the stock reagent bottles.
20. Use only the quantities of reagents as stated in the procedure.
21. Do not lift any solutions, glassware, or other types of apparatus above eye level.
22. Leave your workstation clean and in good order before leaving the laboratory.
23. Apparatus should be returned at least 15 minutes before the end of the laboratory period.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
A. Fire Procedures
Small Fires
Major Fires
1. Alert people in the laboratory.
1. Alert people to evacuate the area.
2. Make sure you have a clear exit path.
2. Notify the instructor to summon help.
3. Avoid smoke or fumes
3. Avoid flames, smoke, or fumes.
4. Smother fire or use the correct
4. Make sure you always have a clear exit
extinguisher.
path. Close all doors to confine the fire.
5. If the fire will not extinguish, evacuate the
5. Exit building through the stairs.
area
How to Use a Fire Extinguisher: The easiest way to remember the proper way to use a fire
extinguisher is with the acronym “PASS”.
P
Pull
Pull the arming pin
A
Aim
Aim the extinguisher at the base of the fire
S
Squeeze
Squeeze the extinguisher trigger
S
Sweep
Sweep back and forth
B. First Aid & Small Spills
If you should have a minor injury, approach the lab in charge for assistance. The instructor or the
laboratory assistant must be notified and they will complete an injury report form.
a. Simple First Aid Procedures for Minor Injuries
i. Acid or Base Burn
Rinse the affected area with copious quantities of water for at least 15 minutes.
Bases have a slippery feeling (like soap), acids cause a “non-skid_ feeling and
may burn. Rinse until the skin returns to normal.
ii. Minor Cuts
Wash the wound well with water, If necessary, apply pressure to stop the flow of
blood. Apply a bandage if appropriate.
iii. Minor Burns
Immerse the burned area in cold water until the pain is alleviated. Use of
ointments is discouraged.
iv. Accidental Ingestion
Call the clinic for advice. Do not drink anything unless instructed by a medical
professional.
b. Small Spills
Non-hazardous Material Release
If you spill a solid on a balance, clean it up right away while gently using a wipe and the
appropriate waste container. If you spill a small amount of non-hazardous chemicals,
such as salt, use a sponge or paper towel and plenty of water to appropriately clean the
area. You must notify your instructor of all other types of spills immediately.
Acid, Base, Solvent, or Poison Release
If a spill is less than 1L of an acid, base, or solvent, notify your instructor and they will
have you clean up the spill using appropriate spill kits.
If a spill is more than 1L of these chemicals or a chemical that does not fit into one of the
above categories, notify your instructor immediately. The instructor will determine
whether evacuation is necessary and how to properly clean up the spill.
Please sign below that you have read and understood these rules and are willing to conform to them:
SIGNED: ________________________ DATE: _______________ SY: _____________
Witnesses: (1) _______________________
Name of Teacher
(2) _______________________
Laboratory-In-Charge
I. UNDERSTANDING MSDS OR SDS
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) or Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is a multi-page document, provided by
the manufacturer, that contains the following information about a chemical.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Product or chemical identification (name and CAS number)
Hazardous ingredients, if a mixture of chemicals
Physical data, such as boiling point or melting point
Flammability and explosion danger
Reactivity data (hazards of mixing with other chemicals)
Health hazards (toxicity)
First aid and emergency information (safe handling procedures)
Measures to control exposure (personal protective equipment)
Spill handling procedures
Special procedures, such as waste disposal
What is a CAS number? _________________________________________________________________
Discuss the advantage(s) of knowing CAS number of a chemical?
Meaning of Chemical/Toxicity Hazard Terms used in SDS
Compare the terms corrosive and caustic
Explain why extra care must be done when handling strong oxidizers?
What is the safety precaution for compounds that are volatile? Why?
“Toxicity refers to the adverse effects of a chemical on a living system.”
What is the difference between acute toxicity and chronic. Which type is more dangerous?
Chemicals, no matter how hazardous are not able to harm you unless you receive an exposure. There are
four main routes of exposure, as discussed below.
Which of the five is the most common route of exposure? Why?
1. Inhalation
Chemical vapors, gases, aerosols, mists, or dust can be absorbed through the mucous membranes of the
mouth, nose, throat, or lungs.
2. Skin and Eye Contact
Chemicals can penetrate the skin, such contact may be indirect such as when you adjust your glasses
while wearing dirty gloves and then later adjust your glasses with gloves off. Contact with items that
other have used or touched is also possible.
3. Ingestion
Ingestion is usually by accident. It is avoided by never eating or drinking in the laboratory, and by
cleanliness practices, such as washing your hands after working with chemicals. Always wash your hands
when you leave the lab. Do not place your fingers in your mouth when working with chemicals.
4. Injection
This can occur by skin puncture with a dirty piece of glassware or apparatus. Breaking a piece of
glassware is a common route: chemicals can enter through a cut.
II. UNDERSTANDIN HAZARD WARNING INFORMATION
A. Workplace Hazardous Information System – Pictograms 2015
Summary of general characteristics and procedures for handling and storage of WHMIS-controlled products.