Lab Safety“Everyone IS Responsible”

Safety First

• Science is a hands-on laboratory class.

• You will be doing many laboratory activities, which require the use of hazardous chemicals and expensive lab equipment.

• Safety in the science classroom is the #1 priority.

• Labs are a PRIVILEGE!!

Safety First

• To ensure a safe science classroom, a list of rules has been developed and provided to you in your student safety contract.

• These rules must be followed at all times.

• A signed lab safety contract is required to participate in labs.

General Safety Guidelines

• Be Responsible at All Times. No horseplay, practical jokes, pranks, etc.

• Follow all instructions carefully.

• Do not play with lab equipment until instructed to do so.

• Food, drink, and gum are not allowed in the science classroom.

General Safety Guidelines

• Keep the science room clean and organized.

• Notify the teacher immediately of any accidents or unsafe conditions in the science classroom!

• Wash your hands with soap and water after experiments.

General Rules

• Be alert and responsible at all times in the laboratory.

• Follow all written and verbal instructions carefully.  If you do not understand a direction or part of a procedure, ASK BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH THE ACTIVITY.

General Rules

• Never work alone in the laboratory.  No student may work in the science classroom without the presence of the teacher.

• When first entering a science room, do not touch any equipment, chemicals, or other materials in the laboratory area until you are instructed to do so.

General Rules

• Be prepared for your work in the laboratory.  Read all procedures thoroughly before entering the laboratory.  Never fool around in the laboratory. 

• Always work in a well-ventilated area.

General Rules

• Perform only those experiments authorized by your teacher.  Carefully follow all instructions, both written and oral.  Unauthorized experiments are not allowed.

• Do not eat food, drink beverages, or chew gum in the laboratory.  Do not use laboratory glassware as containers for food or beverages.

General Rules

• Observe good housekeeping practices.  Work areas should be kept clean and tidy at all times.

• Be alert and proceed with caution at all times in the laboratory.  Notify the teacher immediately of any unsafe conditions you observe.

General Rules

• Dispose of all chemical waste properly.  Never mix chemicals in sink drains.  Sinks are to be used only for water. Check with your teacher for disposal of chemicals and solutions.

• Labels and equipment instructions must be read carefully before use.  Set up and use the equipment as directed by your teacher.

General Rules

• Keep hands away from face, eyes, mouth, and body while using chemicals or lab equipment.  Wash your hands with soap and water after performing all experiments. 

• Experiments must be personally monitored at all times.  Do not wander around the room, distract other students, startle other students, or interfere with the laboratory experiments of others.

General Rules

• Know the locations and operating procedures of all safety equipment including: first aid kit(s), and fire extinguisher.  Know where the fire alarm and the exits are located.

• Know what to do if there is a fire drill during a laboratory period; containers must be closed, and any electrical equipment turned off.

Glassware Safety

• Any time chemicals, heat, or glassware are used, students will wear safety goggles.

NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE!

• Dress properly during a laboratory activity.  Long hair, dangling jewelry, and loose or baggy clothing are a hazard in the laboratory.  Long hair must be tied back, and dangling jewelry and baggy clothing must be secured.  Shoes must completely cover the foot.  No sandals allowed on lab days.

Glassware Safety

• Report any accident (spill, breakage, etc.) or injury (cut, burn, etc.) to the teacher immediately, no matter how trivial it seems.  Do not panic.

• If you or your lab partner is hurt, immediately (and loudly) yell out the teacher's name to get the teacher's attention.  Do not panic.

Chemical Safety

• If a chemical should splash in your eye(s) or on your skin, immediately flush with running water for at least 20 minutes. 

• Immediately (and loudly) yell out the teacher's name to get the teacher's attention. 

Chemical Safety

• All chemicals in the laboratory are to be considered dangerous. Avoid handling chemicals with fingers. Always use tweezers.

• Do not taste, or smell any chemicals. If the instructions ask you if a substance has an odor, hold the container away from you and gently fan the fumes using a wafting motion.

• Never put your nose into the container!

Chemical Safety

• Check the label on all chemical bottles twice before removing any of the contents.  Take only as much chemical as you need.

• Never return unused chemicals to their original container

• Never remove chemicals or other materials from the laboratory area.

Glassware Safety

• Never handle broken glass with your bare hands.  Use a brush and dustpan to clean up broken glass. 

• Place broken glass in the designated glass disposal container.

• Examine glassware before each use.  Never use chipped, cracked, or dirty glassware.

Heat & Electrical Safety

• Do not immerse hot glassware in cold water.  The glassware may shatter.

• Do not operate a hot plate by yourself.  Take care that hair, clothing, and hands are a safe distance from the hot plate at all times. 

• Use of hot plate is only allowed in the presence of the teacher.

Heat & Electrical Safety

• Heated glassware remain very hot for a long time.  They should be set aside in a designated place to cool, and picked up with caution.  Use tongs or heat protective gloves if necessary.

• Do not place hot apparatus directly on the laboratory desk.  Always use an insulated pad.  Allow plenty of time for hot apparatus to cool before touching it.

Lab Safety Symbols

• Wear safety goggles when working with chemicals, flames, or heating devices.

• If a chemical gets in your eye, flush in water for 15 minutes and notify the teacher.

Eye Protection

Sharp Objects• When using knifes or other sharp objects always walk with the points facing down. • Cut away from fingers and body.

Lab Safety Symbols

Electrical Safety• Do not place a cord where someone can trip over it.

• Never use electricity around water.

• Unplug all equipment before leaving the room.

Plant Safety• Do not eat any plants in lab.

• Wash your hands after handling plants.

Lab Safety Symbols

Animal Safety• Only handle living organisms with teacher permission.

• Always treat living organisms humanely.

• Wash your hands after handling animals.

Heating Safety• Tie back hair and loose clothes when working with open flames.

• Never look into a container as you are heating it.

• Heated metal and glass looks cool, use tongs or gloves before handling.

• Never leave a heat source unattended.

Lab Safety Symbols

Chemical Safety• Read all labels twice before removing a chemical from the container.

• Never touch, taste, or smell a chemical unless instructed by the teacher.

• Transfer chemicals carefully!

Hand Safety• If a chemical spills on your skin, notify the teacher and rinse with water for 15 minutes.

• Carry glassware carefully.

Other Chemical Hazards and Symbols

• Flammable

• Explosive

• Toxic/Poison

• Irritant

• Corrosive

• Environmental

Safety Equipment

• Fire Blanket – Located in back of classroom in the red container

• Fire Extinguisher – Located by both doors in front of room.

To operate the fire extinguisher remember P-A-S-S

P- Pull the Pin

A-Aim the hose at the base of the fire from 5-6 feet away.

S-Squeeze the handle.

S-Sweep the hose back and forth across the fire.

REMEMBER: Stop, Drop, & RollOn Fire?

Lab Safety Equipment

Safety Shower Safety GogglesEye Wash

Lab Safety Equipment

Fire

Extinguisher Fire Blanket Fume Hood

What’s wrong with this picture?

What’s wrong with this picture?

What’s wrong with this picture?

What’s wrong with these statements?

• Hal says that his teacher is solely responsible for preventing laboratory accidents.

• Keshia started the lab activity before reading it through completely.

• Ricardo decided to do a lab activity that he read about in a library book before the teacher came into the classroom.

• Stephanie says that the safety goggles mess up her hair and give her raccoon eyes. She refuses to wear them.

• Barbie and Ken accidentally break a beaker full of some chemical. Instead of risking getting in trouble they quickly clean up the mess with paper towel and throw it in the garbage.

Any Questions?

REMEMBER:• Carefully read through the entire safety contract and sign.• Have your parents read and sign your safety contract.•Return one copy to Mrs. Warner.• Study for the safety quiz later this week/early next!