SAFE WORK PROCEDURE
LOCATION
VMC
WRITTEN BY: APPROVED BY:
Science Team
Properties of Acids and Bases
Page 1 of 2
DATE CREATED
WS&H
LAST REVISION
June 27, 2014
New
PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT (PPE)
Safety glasses or face shield must be worn at all
times in work areas.
Long and loose hair must be tied back
Appropriate footwear must be worn. Shoe must
be fully enclosed. No open toed shoes.
Close fitting/protective clothing must be worn.
Remove strings hanging from pullovers/sweaters.
Rings and jewelry (long necklaces / bracelets,
etc.) must not be worn.
HAZARDS PRESENT







Chemical burns
Absorption of Chemicals.
Inhalation of Chemicals.
Ingestion of Chemicals.
Slips / trips & falls
Chemical hazards
Burns from the wooden
splints
ADDITIONAL
REQUIREMENTS
APPARATUS / MATERIALS


















HCl
Sulfuric acid
HNO3
Acetic acid
KOH
Ammonium hydroxide
Red and blue litmus paper
Universal indicator
Phenolphthalein solution
Magnesium metal
Copper metal
Sodium carbonate
Sodium bicarbonate
Well plate
Test tubes and rubber
stoppers
Zinc metal
Limewater
Wooden splints


Equipment orientation
WHMIS training
SAFE WORK PROCEDURE
1. Don all personal protective equipment including: safety glasses, & protective nitrile gloves
(where required). Ensure all loose clothing is either removed or tied back. Remove any jewelry
and tie back long hair.
2. Place drops of each solution (HCl, sulfuric acid, HNO3, acetic acid, NaOH, KOH, and
ammonium hydroxide) on small pieces of red litmus paper. Record your results. Repeat with
small pieces of blue litmus paper.
3. Place drops of each solution on a spot plate. To each sample add a drop of phenolphthalein
SAFE WORK PROCEDURE
Properties of Acids and Bases
Page 2 of 2
indicator solution. Record your results. Repeat the test with universal indicator.
4. Test each metal (magnesium, copper, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate) with each acid
(HCl, sulfuric acid, HNO3, and acetic acid). Place small samples of each metal into different test
tubes. Add 2 ml of each acid to each of the test tubes and record your observations.
5. Place 2 ml of the carbonate and hydrogen carbonate solutions into separate test tubes. Add
drops of each acid to each test tube and record your observations.
6. Place a small amount of zinc into a test tube. Add 2 ml of 6.0 M HCl. As the reaction proceeds,
hold a second test tube inverted over the first test tube for about one minute. Without turning
the second test tube upright, bring a burning wooden splint near the mouth of the test tube and
note the observations.
7. Place 8 ml of limewater into a test tube. Place a few crystals of calcium carbonate into a
second test tube. Add 3 ml of 6 M HCl to the solid. Insert a rubber stopper end of the gas
deliver tube into the test tube containing the acid and calcium carbonate. Put the open end of
the tube into the limewater solution and bubble gas into the solution. Record your observations.
8. Clean up your workstation.
REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS





WS&H Act W210, Section 4, 5
Mb. Regulations 217/2006,
Part 16, (Machines / Tools & Robots) Sections 16.1-16.18)
Part 35, (WHMIS Application)
Part 36, (Chemical & Biological Substances Application)