Read All Directions and
Labels Carefully!
• Be prepared for the lab procedure.
Read the instructions prior to class
or work. Do not proceed unless you
understand the instructions.
• Read all labels carefully before using
a chemical. Check the name twice.
If you are not familiar with the
chemical, read the material safety
data sheet first.
Eye and Face Safety
• 1. Whenever you see this
symbol, you will know that
you are performing an
investigation in which you
must take precautions to
protect your eyes and face
by wearing safety goggles.
• 2. Always point a test tube
or bottle that is being tested
away from you and others.
Chemicals can splash or boil
out of the heated test tube.
Poison (Chemical)
Safety Symbol
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Whenever you see this symbol,
you know that you are working
with chemicals that could be
hazardous.
Never smell any chemical
directly from its container. Use
the wafting method.
Never mix chemicals unless
instructed to do so.
Never touch or taste any
chemical unless instructed to
do so.
Keep all lids closed when
chemicals are not in use.
Dispose of all chemicals as
instructed by your teacher.
Heating Safety
1. Wear safety goggles
when using a heating
device or a flame.
2. Whenever possible, use
an electric hot plate as a
heat source instead of
an open flame.
3. When heating materials
in a test tube, always
angle the test tube away
from yourself and others.
4. In order to avoid burns,
wear heat resistant
gloves whenever
instructed to do so.
Apron Safety
1. If a chemical is unknown,
handle it as you would a
dangerous chemical.
2. Wear an apron and safety
gloves when working with
acids or bases or whenever
you are told to do so.
3. If a spill gets on your skin
or clothing, rinse it off
immediately with water for
at least 5 minutes while
calling to your teacher.
Electricity
1. Be careful with electrical cords.
When using a microscope with a
lamp, do not place the cord where
it could trip someone.
2. Do not let cords hang over a table
edge in a way that could cause
equipment to fall if the cord is
accidentally pulled.
3. Do not use equipment with
damaged cords.
4. Be sure your hands are dry and
that the electrical equipment is in
the “off” position before plugging
it in.
5. Turn off and unplug electrical
equipment when you are finished.
Sharp/Pointed Objects
1. Use knives and other
sharp instruments with
extreme care.
2. Never cut objects while
holding them in your
hands.
3. Place objects on a
suitable work surface for
cutting.
4. Never cut toward yourself.
5. Always carry sharp
objects by the handle and
pointed to the ground.
Animal Safety
1. Always obtain your
teacher’s permission
before bringing any
animal into the school
building.
2. Handle animals only as
your teacher directs.
3. Always treat animals
carefully and with
respect.
4. Wash your hands
thoroughly after
handling any animals.
Hand Safety
1. In order to avoid burns,
wear heat resistant
gloves whenever
instructed to do so.
2. * If a chemical is
unknown, handle it as
you would a dangerous
chemical and wear
gloves.
3. * Wear an apron and
safety gloves when
working with acids or
bases or whenever you
are told to do so.
Plant Safety
1. Do not eat any part of a
plant or plant seed used
in the laboratory.
2. Wash hands thoroughly
after handling any part of
a plant.
3. When in nature, do not
pick any wild plants
unless your teacher
instructs you to do so.
Biohazard Safety
1. This label must be affixed to
containers of infectious waste,
refrigerators and freezers
containing blood or other
potentially infectious material
and to other containers used to
store, transport or ship blood or
other potentially infectious
materials.
2. Infectious waste autoclave bags,
red bags, sharps containers, and
anything else with the universal
biohazard symbol affixed to it
DO NOT belong in general trash
or recycling under any
circumstances.
Radioactive Safety
Symbol
1. Areas with radiation postings are
restricted to persons trained and
authorized to use radiation
sources
2. Smoking, eating, drinking, and
application of cosmetics are
strictly prohibited in areas posted
for radioactive materials.
3. Workers using radioactive
materials require special training.
4. Radioactive materials cannot be
disposed of through normal
housekeeping practices. These
materials must be segregated and
disposed of properly by trained
personnel.
Other Safety Symbols
corrosive
Explosive
• Corrosive – a
substance
destroying or
eating away by a
chemical reaction
(a strong acid or
alkali)
Compressed Gas