Chemistry Lab Safety Rules
Bakersfield College
Chemistry 2A
Physical Science 12
Safety Rules
1. Safety goggles must be worn during
chemistry experiments at all times. Wear
sensible clothing (confine long hair and
fuzzy clothing) and enclosed shoes,
particularly when doing chemistry labs.
Safety Rules
2. Know the locations and operating
instructions for the fire extinguishers, fire
blankets, fire alarms, fire hoses, first aid
kit, eye washes and showers. Wash
eyes for at least 15 minutes.
Safety Rules
3. Know the locations of the nearest
available telephones and emergency
phone numbers to use to call for help in
case of an emergency.
Emergency (395)-4555 or 9-911
Escort (395)-4554
You are in SE12 (395)-4242
Safety Rules
4.
Keep burners in the middle of the lab table,
not on the edge. When heating liquids in
test tubes, never point the tube toward
yourself or anyone else. Never heat the test
tube directly at the bottom but tilt the tube
and heat it gently between the bottom of the
tube and the top of the liquid. Use boiling
chips when boiling liquids in a flask or
beaker to prevent bumping.
Safety Rules
5. Follow instructions carefully. Know the
safety hazards of each experiment
before starting. Do not perform
unauthorized experiments. Only work in
the laboratory when supervised by an
instructor.
Safety Rules
6. Keep tabletops clean. Return all
equipment to its original location before
leaving the lab. Clean all spills
immediately.
Safety Rules
7. Report all accidents, no matter how
minor, to the instructor. If you break
something made of glass, be sure to use
dustpan and hand broom to sweep it up
and dispose of it in the glass waste
receptacle.
Safety Rules
8. Never return chemicals to bottles of their
origin. If you have excess, give it to
another student or throw it away. Check
labels on containers twice to make sure
you use the right chemical and of the
correct concentration. Dispose of
chemicals in proper receptacle.
 waffing
Safety Rules
9. Always add concentrated acids or bases
to water, never water to concentrated
acids or bases. Water holds more heat
and if it splatters it is more dilute. Use
fume hoods when noxious fumes may be
present in an experiment or use waffing.
Safety Rules
10. Do not stick objects into bottle except
spatula or dropper provided for that bottle.
Do not set the spatula or dropper down on
the counter (you may contaminate it). Keep
each spatula or dropper with the proper
bottle. Return the spatula or dropper to the
tube attached to the bottle to avoid
switching.
Safety Rules
11. In case of an emergency where we have
to evacuate, proceed out the nearest exit
and stand away from the building. In
case of earthquake duck up against lab
table and cover face.
Safety Rules
12. Never put anything in your mouth while in
the lab (including chemicals, solutions,
equipment, cigarettes, food, drink, or gum).
Put all food and drinks in your bag.