LAB SAFETY AND
EQUIPMENT
Student Notes
WHAT TO WEAR
IN THE LAB
SAFETY GOGGLES
• Vital to the safety
of your vision.
• Wear them when
heating, working
with chemicals, or
at any time you are
instructed to do so
by your teacher.
LAB APRON
• Protects your
clothes and skin
from chemicals,
spills or splashes
• Rubber-coated
• Acid-resistant
• Alcohol-resistant
PROTECTIVE GLOVES
• Protect your hands with the
proper gloves:
> Insulated Gloves –use to
handle hot and cold
items
> Latex Gloves – wear
during dissections or to
handle non-toxic
chemicals
> Chemical-Resistant Gloves
use when working with
caustic (to chemically burn
skin) chemicals
Close-Toe Shoes
• Wear shoes that
cover your entire
foot (no sandals)
TIE BACK HAIR AND ROLL UP SLEEVES
Safety Equipment
for Emergencies
EYE WASH STATION
• Provided in all
science labs to
flush eyes with
water for 15
minutes to remove
foreign materials
and to dilute any
harmful chemicals.
FIRE BLANKET
• Use to smother fires:
-Wrap around a person
-Smother a table or a
trash can on fire
FIRE EXTINGUISHER
• Used to put out small
chemical or paper fires.
• In case of major fires,
evacuate the building using
fire drill procedures.
• Remember P.A.S.S.
• (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep)
https://youtu.be/lUojO1HvC8c
VIDEO - How to Use a Fire Extinguisher
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
• Symbols that
show warnings
about chemicals
SAFETY PROCEDURES
What to do First
• Sit quietly and wait for the teacher to give
instructions.
• Read the investigation and any written
directions thoroughly before you begin.
• Then get needed materials.
• Follow directions at ALL times!
No eating, drinking or
chewing gum in the lab!
What to do if there in an accident
• Report ALL accidents to the teacher even if they
are minor (spills, drops, etc.).
• Clean up spills immediately!
• Don’t use broken equipment (especially glass
containers). Report it to the teacher immediately.
• Clean up your station when you are finished.
MIXING LIQUIDS WITH ACIDS
• POUR ACID INTO WATER, ONLY!!!!
• POUR ONTO STIRRING ROD TO KEEP FROM
SPLASHING OUT
NOT!!!
Unplug from the
outlet, don’t pull
the cord!
TILT TEST TUBE AWAY FROM
YOU AND OTHERS (waft)
Review Questions
• What equipment do I wear to be
safe in the lab?
• Do I know where and how to use
the lab safety equipment in an
emergency?
• Do I know the safety rules and
procedures to follow in the lab?
Rodeo Palms Junior High School
Science Laboratory Safety Contract – 2015 - 2016
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I will act responsibly at all times in the science laboratory and classroom.
I will follow all instructions about lab procedures given by the teacher.
I will keep my work area clean and clutter-free.
I will wear safety goggles and protective clothing at all times when necessary.
I know what to do in case of a fire.
I will immediately notify the teacher of any emergency.
I will tie back long hair, remove dangling jewelry, and secure loose clothing.
I will not mix substances or take chemicals or equipment out of the lab without
direct permission from the teacher.
I will never eat or drink in the laboratory unless instructed to do so by the teacher.
I will only handle living organisms or preserved specimens when authorized by the
teacher.
I will not enter the storage area unless directed by the teacher.
Student and parent sign and date in the appropriate spaces below and return contract to the
teacher. I, _______________________________ have read each of the statements above and
understand these safety rules. I agree to abide by the safety regulations and any additional
written or verbal instructions provided by the school district or my teacher.
Student Signature ___________________________
Parent Signature ___________________________
Date________________
Date________________
EQUIPMENT USED IN
THE LAB
Dissecting Tools
Pan, Scalpel, Forceps, Scissors,
Dissecting Pin, Probe
ERLENMEYER FLASK
FLORENCE FLASK (round bottom)
Beaker
FUNNEL
TEST TUBE TEST TUBE HOLDER
TEST TUBE RACK
HOT PLATE
MICROSCOPE
HAND LENS
PETRI DISH
EQUIPMENT USED
FOR MEASURING
TIMERS
Measures Time &
Speed in Seconds (s)
METRIC RULER (Meter Stick)
Measures Length or distance =
meters (m) or centimeters (cm)
TRIPLE BEAM BALANCE
Measures
Mass
grams (g)
SPRING SCALE
Weight = grams (g)
(mass with gravity)
Force = Newtons (N)
GRADUATED CYLINDERS
Measures Volume = liters (L) or milliliters (mL)
WATER DISPLACEMENT METHOD
• To find the volume of
an irregular-shaped
object (rock),
submerge it.
• The object’s volume =
final volume – initial
volume
THERMOMETER
Measures
Temperature
Celsius (oC)
Scientific Method
• A list of steps that are followed, IN ORDER,
when preforming a scientific experiment.
1. Start with a PROBLEM/QUESTION to be
solved.
> Study & collect info about your problem.
2. Make a HYPOTHESIS
> written as an if…then statement
> must be able to test it
3. TEST YOUR HYPOTHESIS:
> Design and DO an experiment/investigation
FACTORS IN AN EXPERIMENT:
• Independent Variable – the factor that can be changed or cause a
change
• Dependent Variable – RESPONDS to the change. Is a measurement
(ex: amount of rainfall)
• Control Group – the things/factors that stay the same in an
experiment
> The basis for comparison: the Independent Variable Group
is compared to the Control Group.
SCIENTIFIC PROCESS
(Scientific Method)
4. Collect & Analyze Data
> Direct Observation: only use your 5 senses
> Indirect Observation: uses your senses PLUS
scientific tools (Ex. - ruler, microscope…)
SCIENTIFIC PROCESS
(Scientific Method)
4. (continued) MAKE OR USE A MODEL
> Use a small scale representation of a
larger item to get proof of concept.
5. FORM A CONCLUSION:
> Decide if the results support your hypothesis.
SCIENTIFIC PROCESS
(Scientific Method)
Example Hypothesis: (using an if…then statement)
If corn is given more fertilizer, then the yield
will be higher.
Which picture is the corn with more fertilizer?
SCIENTIFIC PROCESS
(Scientific Method)
NOT a hypothesis:
Corn tastes better than peas.
Why not?
SCIENTIFIC PROCESS
(Scientific Method)
(Independent) Variable:
• Group in which fertilizer is added to corn plant
Control Group:
• Corn plant that doesn’t receive fertilizer
BIAS &
EVALUATING INFO
misrepresentation
of info based on
point of view or
purpose