Lab SafetyRules

1. Conduct yourself in a responsible manner at all times in the laboratory. Horseplay, practical jokes, and pranks are dangerous and prohibited.

2. Follow all written and verbal instructions carefully. If you do not understand a direction or part of a procedure, ask the teacher before proceeding.

3. Never work in the lab without a teacher present.

4. Do not eat, drink or chew gum in the lab. Do not use the lab glassware as containers for food or beverage.

5. Perform only those experiments authorized by the teacher. Unauthorized experiments are prohibited!

6. Be prepared for the lab by reading all procedures thoroughly before starting the lab.

7. Observe good housekeeping practices. Work areas should be kept clean and tidy at all times. Bring only your lab instructions and reports to the work area. Other materials (books, purses, backpacks, etc.) should be stored away from the lab area.

8. Keep aisles clear. Stools will NOT be used during labs.

9. Know the locations and operating procedures of all safety equipment including the first aid kit, eyewash station, safety shower, and fire extinguisher.

10. Dispose of all chemical waste properly. Sinks are to be used only for water and those solutions designated by the instructor. Solid chemicals, metals, matches, filter paper and other insoluble materials are to be disposed of in the proper waste containers—not the sink.

11. Keep your hands away from your face, eyes, mouth and body while using chemicals. Wash your hands with soap and water after performing all experiments. Clean (with detergent) and rinse all work surfaces and apparatus at the end of the lab. Return all equipment to the proper storage area.

12.ANY TIME CHEMICALS OR HEAT ARE USED, STUDENTS MUST WEAR LABORATORY GOGGLES AND APRONS. THERE ARE NOT EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE!

13.Contact lenses should not be worn in the lab unless you have the proper permission from your parents and teacher.

14. Dress properly during the lab. Long hair, dangling jewelry and lanyards, and loose or baggy clothing are a hazard in the lab. Long hair must be tied back, dangling jewelry and lanyards and loose clothing must be secured. Shoes must completely cover the foot. Leather shoes are best. No sandals are allowed.

15.Report any accident (spill, breakage, etc.) or injury to the teacher immediately, no matter how trivial it may appear.

16.If a chemical should splash in you eye(s) or on your skin, immediately flush with running water from the eyewash station or safety shower for at least 20 minutes. NOTIFY THE TEACHER IMMEDIATELY.

17.All chemicals in the lab are to be considered dangerous. Do not touch, taste, or smell any chemicals unless specifically instructed to do so. The proper technique for smelling chemical fumes (wafting the fumes towards you) will be demonstrated.

18. Do NOT take reagent bottles to your work area unless specifically instructed to do so. Use paper or glassware from your lab table to obtain your chemicals. Take only a small amount of the chemical, pouring it into a beaker.

19.Never handle broken glass with your bare hands. It is your teacher’s responsibility to clean up broken glass.

20.Never attempt to insert or remove glass tubing from a stopper. It is your teacher’s responsibility to do that.

21.Do not immerse hot glassware in cold water; it may shatter.

21.Never reach over an exposed flame or leave a lit burner unattended. Always turn the burner or hot plate off when not in use.

23.When heating a test tube, be careful not to point the mouth of the test tube at another person or yourself.

23.Never look into a container that is being heated.

25.Do not place anything hot directly on the lab desk.

26.Use caution when handling hot glassware. Hot glass looks the same as cool glass. Determine if an object is hot by bringing the back of your hand close to it prior to grasping it.

27.Keep the balance area clean. NEVER WEIGH CHEMICAL DIRECTLY ON THE PAN OF THE BALANCE.

28.Do NOT heat thermometers, graduated cylinders, burettes, or pipettes with a burner or hotplate.

28. Keep flammable liquids away from open flames.

30.Please be aware that fake (acrylic) nails are flammable and prohibited from lab.

30. If you see any unsafe conditions in lab, NOTIFY YOUR TEACHER IMMEDIATELY.