General Lab Safety Rules

Dress Code• Wear safety goggles whenever

working with chemicals, burners, or any substance that might get into your eye.

• Wear apron when working with chemicals or heated substances.

• Tie back long hair to keep it away from any chemicals, burners, or other laboratory equipment.

• Remove or tie back any article of clothing or jewelry that can hang down and touch chemicals or flames.

General Safety• Read all directions

and follow directions exactly as they are written.

• Never perform investigations your teacher has not authorized.

• When in doubt, ask your teacher

• Take care not to spill any materials, but if a spill does occur ask your teacher about proper cleanup. Never pour chemicals or other substances into sink or trash container.

• Never eat, drink, or bring food into the lab.

• Report all accidents immediately, no matter how minor.

• Be aware of the location of the first-aid kit, fire blanket, and eye wash station.

Heating and Fire Safety

• Never reach over an open flame.

• When heating a test tube or bottle, point the opening away from you and others.

• Never heat a closed container.

• Never heat a chemical you are not instructed to heat. A chemical that is harmless when cool can be dangerous when heated.

• Maintain a clean work area and keep all materials away from flames.

Using Chemicals Safely• Never mix chemicals for

“the fun of it”. • Never touch, taste, or smell

a chemical unless instructed to do so by your teacher.

• Use only those chemicals needed for the investigation.

• Dispose of all chemicals as instructed by your teacher.

General Equipment• Never use broken or

chipped glassware. Of glassware breaks, notify your teacher and dispose of the broken glass as instructed.

• Handle scalpels or razor blades with extreme care. Always cut material away from you.

• Always clean up your station and wash your hands after every experiment.