LABORATORY SAFETY

A laboratory is a place where discovery leads to knowledge and understanding. It is also a place where caution is essential for safety. There are potential hazards. In this exercise you will become familiar with laboratory rules, equipment, and procedure.

Read the lab safety rules listed below.

GENERAL SAFETY

1. Follow all instructions carefully. Follow additional safety information given by the teacher.

2. Never perform unauthorized experiments. Do only those assigned by the teacher.

3. Never work alone in the lab. Never work without teacher supervision.

4. Never eat, drink, chew gum, or apply cosmetics in the lab.

5. No running, shoving, horseplay, or practical joking in the lab.

6. Keep your work area clean.

7. Dispose of materials as directed by the teacher. Do not use the sink as a trash can.

8. Turn off all equipment when it is not in use, especially at the end of the period.

9. Know the location of all safety equipment in the room.

LABORATORY APPAREL

1. Do not wear loose fitting sleeves or open-toe shoes.

2. Tie back long hair.

3. Wear goggles when using chemicals, hot liquids, lab burners, or hot plates.

4. Wear lab aprons when working with chemicals or hot materials.

WORKING WITH A LAB BURNER

1. Wear safety goggles, tie back long hair, and roll up loose sleeves.

2. Never leave a lighted burner unattended.

3. Never reach over a flame.

4. Use tongs, test tube holders, or pot holders to handle hot equipment.

5. Never allow flammable materials such as alcohol near a flame.

6. When you heat something in an open container such as a test tube, point the open end away from yourself and others.

7. Use only special glass such as pyrex for heating substances.

8. Before lighting a burner, close the gas completely, then light the match and open the gas slowly.

9. Check lab burner hoses to make sure they fit tightly and are not cracked, brittle, or dry.

10. If a burner does not light, or seems to have a problem, turn off the gas and ask your teacher for help.

PRECAUTIONS FOR WORKING WITH CHEMICALS

1. Never touch, taste, or smell chemicals in the lab unless directed to do so by the teacher.

2. Do not inhale fumes directly. Wave the fumes toward your nose and sniff carefully.

3. Use only materials that are properly labeled.

4. When diluting acid with water, always add acid to water.

5. Never return unused chemicals to the stock bottles.

6. Never transfer spoons, droppers, etc. from one chemical to another.

PRECAUTIONS FOR WORKING WITH ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

1. Never use equipment with frayed insulation, loose, or broken wires.

2. Make sure the area around the equipment is dry and free of flammable materials.

3. Never touch electrical equipment with wet hands.

4. Turn off all power switches before plugging an appliance into an outlet. Never jerk wires from their outlets by the wire.

PRECAUTIONS FOR WORKING WITH GLASSWARE

1. Use only approved equipment.

2. Never use broken or chipped glassware.

3. Make sure glass is clean before you use it, and clean before you store it.

4. Do not force glass tubing or thermometers into rubber stoppers.

PRECAUTIONS FOR WORKING WITH SPECIMENS

1. Always wash your hands with soap and water.

2. Do not cut a specimen while holding it in your hand.

3. Keep your hands away from the sharp ends of scalpels, scissors, probes, or needles.

4. Do not open containers of live specimens until told to do so.

5. Dispose of specimens as directed by your teacher.

ACCIDENT PROCEDURES

1. Report ALL accidents, injuries, breakages, or spillage, to the teacher.

2. If a chemical spills on your skin or clothing, wash it off immediately.

3. If a chemical gets into your eyes or face, wash immediately with plenty of water and notify the teacher.

4. Clean up all spills immediately.

5. If a thermometer breaks do not clean it up with your hands. Call the teacher immediately.

6. Smother small fires with a wet towel or fire blanket. Always call your teacher.

SAFETY CONTRACT

I, _________________________, have read and agree to abide by the safety regulations as set forth below and also any additional printed instructions provided by the teacher and/or school district. I further agree to follow all other written and oral instructions given in class. Failure to abide by these rules may result in not being able to participate in lab and receiving a zero on all lab work.

I will:

Follow all instructions given by the teacher.

Protect eyes, hands, and body while conducting lab actvities.

Carry out good housekeeping practices in lab.

Know the locations of the safety equipment.

Conduct myself in a responsible manner at all times in the lab.

Not remove anything from the lab without permission.

Not conduct unauthorized experiments.

Date __________ Signature ____________________________________