For use in Introductory High School Biology by Taryn Coffaro ©
Why is Safety Important?
An introduction to laboratory practices and techniques will allow you to get a figurative “taste” of the actual science that is performed in
higher level high school courses, colleges and universities as well as in industry. The skills required to accomplish these tasks are best
taught in a laboratory setting, therefore throughout the year in your introductory biological course you will be given the opportunity to
participate in this “hands on” science.
The first step in practicing science in a laboratory setting is safety. Safety necessitates a few of the following important rules:
1.
Come to lab prepared for experiments you will be doing. Ask questions before proceeding.
2. No eating, drinking, or smoking in the lab. Never let any lab equipment touch your mouth.
3. Know the locations and operating procedures of all safety equipment including the first aid kit, eyewash station, safety shower,
spill kit, fire extinguisher, and fire blanket. Know where the fire alarm and the exits are located.
4. Wear eye protection whenever glassware or solutions are heated or when fumes may be present. Use goggles and other PPE
as indicated by instructor.
5. Avoid wearing excessively/ loose clothing and jewelry. Long hair should be tied back. Do not wear sandals or opened toed
shoes.
6. Assume all chemicals are dangerous. Read labels on chemical bottles and make sure you understand safety precautions.
Clean spills from skin and surfaces immediately. Dispose of chemicals properly.
7. Many chemicals are flammable. Do not use them near open flames. Avoid inhaling chemical fumes.
8. Never leave your experiment unattended.
9. No horseplay. Immediately report accidents, spills, and broken glass to instructor; even minor ones!
10. Immediately report all accidents or injuries to your instructor.
Additionally, safety in a scientific setting whether it be a high school classroom, or an industrial laboratory targeting discovery drugs that
fight cancer allows for accurate and reliable testing which then leads to reliable results. Therefore safety is a valuable step in scientific
study and technique.
Personal Protective Equipment
There are three kinds of personal protective equipment: eye protection, clothing and gloves. Goggles or safety glasses should be worn
to protect your eyes from chemical used in the laboratory setting. Students should wear laboratory aprons or coats as well as close toed
shoes to protect skin, clothing and extremities from accidental spills. Lastly gloves are important to protect your skin and hands from
harmful chemicals and potential live infectious organisms.
Classroom Safeguards
The following safeguards are in place in every laboratory setting in case an accident should occur:
 Emergency eyewash stations
 Showers in case your skin has come in contact with harmful substance
 Emergency clean-up spill kits
 Fume hoods: to vacuum and remove harmful chemical fumes
 Fire extinguishers & Fire blankets
In case an accident should occur, your teacher should immediately notified. The safeguards mentioned above are to only be used in
case of emergency. You will be taught by your instructor the location and appropriate use of the safeguards.
Symbols that Indicate Safety
In a laboratory setting there are specific symbols that indicate properties of a substance. They may also indicate appropriate storage and
handling.
Tips to Prevent Common Laboratory Accidents
 Always use tongs with hot glassware.
 Always tilt a test tube being heated away form yourself and others.
 Always pour acid into water, not water into acid.
 Waft your hand over the container to smell gases in containers. Do not put nose in container and inhale.