Lab Safety

The answers to why you need to be CAREFUL and HOW to

stay out of trouble.

General Safety Precautions

• DO NOT drink, eat or chew gum in a science lab.

General Safety Precautions• Wear safety goggles whenever working

with anything that could get in your eyes.• What types of things could this include?

• Wear a lab apron when working with corrosive or staining chemicals.

• Tie back long hair• Remove or tie back dangling jewelry or

clothing (this includes sleeves)• Why would these two things be important?

General Precautions – cont.• Know the location

of fire extinguishers and eye wash areas.

General Precautions – cont.• Never wear open shoes or sandals.• Read all directions several times before

beginning.• Why would this be important? How many

times would you personally need to read directions?

• Obtain permission before “experimenting” on your own.

• Clean up after yourself.

General Precautions Cont.

• Carry all sharp objects with the point down.

General Precautions – cont.

• Do NOT engage in horseplay!!!!!• Do not touch an electrical

appliance or outlet with wet hands.

General Safety

• Report all accidents, spills or injuries to your teacher.• Yes, this includes

getting an “owie” or breaking something!!!!

Fire Safety

• Never heat anything unless instructed.• Always use clamps, tongs, or heat resistant

gloves.• Keep all combustible material away from

flames.• Never reach across an open flame.• Point heating test tubes away from everyone.• Never heat liquid in a closed container.

• Think explosion

Fire Safety

• Never leave a burner unattended.

Chemical Safety

• Never mix chemicals unless instructed.• What is a chemical?

• Do not touch, taste, or smell unless instructed.• Do not inhale fumes directly from a container.

Use a wafting motion at arms length.• Dispose of all materials as instructed.• Always put water in first, then the other

substance.

Chemical Safety

• Consider all chemicals dangerous, if instructed to smell, use the wafting method.

Glassware Safety

• Never heat glassware that is wet on the outside.

• Hot and cold glass looks the same. Check before handling!• How would you do this?

• Never use broken or chipped glassware.• Thoroughly clean glassware before

putting it away. (Wash and dry!!!)

Sharp Instruments

• Handle with extreme care!• Cut away from you.• Tell the teacher if you cut yourself

in a lab.

End of Experiment Rules

• Turn off all burners and hotplates.• Turn off main gas line (burners).

• Turn off and unplug all electrical equipment.

• Clean up your work area• This means you wipe off and dry the work

area as well as your equipment.

• Dispose of waste as instructed.• It won’t always be down the sink!!!!!!

End of Experiment Rules

Wash your hands after

every experiment.

Safety Symbols

• Poison - Do not let poisonous chemicals come in contact with your skin, and do not inhale its vapors. Wash your hands when you are finished with the activity.

• Fumes - When poisonous or unpleasant vapors may be involved, avoid inhaling vapors directly. Only test an odor when directed to do so, and use a wafting motion to direct the vapor toward your nose

Safety Symbols

• Radioactive - This symbol appears when radioactive materials are used.

• Sharp Objects - Scissors, scalpels, knives, needles, pins, or tacks. Always direct a sharp edge or point away from yourself and others. Use sharp instruments only as instructed.

Safety Symbols

• Safety Goggles – Always wear safety goggles to protect your eyes in any activity involving chemicals, flames or heating, or the possibility of broken glassware.

• Electric Shock – Do not use electrical equipment around water, or when the equipment is wet or your hands are wet. Be sure cords are untangled and cannot trip anyone. Disconnect when not in use.

Safety Symbols

• Biological Hazard – Used when there is a danger involving bacteria, fungi, or protists.

• Fire Safety – Tie back loose hair and clothing. Follow instructions from your teacher about lighting and extinguishing flames.

Safety Symbols

• Hand Washing – Wash your hands thoroughly when finished with the activity.

• Plant Safety - Handle plants only as directed. If you are allergic to certain types of plants, please inform your teacher. Wash your hands when you are finished with the activity

Safety Symbols

• Disposal – Chemicals and other laboratory materials used must be disposed of safely. Follow the instructions from your teacher.

• Heating – Use a clamp or tongs to pick up hot glassware. Do not touch hot objects with your bare hands.