LAB SAFETY

Safety First Science is a hands-on laboratory class. You will be doing many laboratory

activities, which may require the use of hazardous chemicals and expensive lab equipment.

Safety in the science classroom is the #1 priority.

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.

A Safe Lab Environment

Safe lab environments are dependent upon both you and your classmates. Everyone must work together to ensure the safety of yourself and those working around you by being focused and working cautiously in the lab.

Lab Safety Overview

Emergency PlanHandling Glassware Fire PreventionProtective

EquipmentChemical SafetyGeneral Rules

Safety

Rules

In an Emergency!In the lab, it is important

to know the location of: Fire BlanketFire Extinguisher Emergency ExitsSafety Shower and Eye Wash

Operation of Fire ExtinguishersPASS

Pull ring pinAim at the base of the fire

Squeeze the handle to start flowSweep side to side at the base of the fire

Accidents can happen!!

Getting something in your eye Lead partner to eye wash stationContact teacherWash for 10-15 minutes See a doctor

Large SpillsTake partner to safety showerContact teacher See a doctor

Glassware

Glassware is the #1 cause of accidents in the lab!

To reduce the chance of injury use common sense when handling glassware!

Never use glassware to hold food or drinks!

Glassware cont’d…

Always inspect your glassware before lab starts.Never use chipped, cracked, or dirty glassware.

I will place broken glass into broken glass box – using protection on my hands.

FIRE!!! If there is a fire, alert the class

to evacuate – the teacher will handle the rest!

Be Safe

What To Do In An Emergency

o If there is a fire or fire alarm - • Quietly get up and push in your chair.• Walk toward the classroom door by my desk.• Walk to the front of the school.• Quickly line up in alphabetical order by last name.•Wait for me to meet you at line up.• Remain in line until the drill is over.

Protective Equipment

Goggles – when requiredTo protect your eyes

Apron – when requiredTo protect your body

Gloves – when using dangerous chemicals To protect your hands

Chemical Safety

Chemicals always need to be properly labeled and stored in designated areas!Flammables need to be kept in

flammable cabinet, acids in acidic cabinet, etc.

MSDSThe MSDS is

readily available in the classroom.

An MSDS will tell you the hazards of a chemical and how to deal with it properly.

General Rules

Wear your goggles when requiredKnow emergency proceduresNo horseplay in the labNo eating/drinking in lab Do not remove lab materials from the classroom No open-toed shoes or loose long hair

General Rules, cont.

Don’t touch, taste, or smell anything.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.

Pour containers away from you and others.

Only liquids go down the sink. Trash goes in the wastebaskets.

General Rules, cont. Unauthorized experiments are

prohibited. Follow directions and lab procedures.

Follow instructions, both written and verbal. Don’t pull plugs out by the cord. Electricity travels really well through water.

General Rules, cont. Observe good housekeeping practices. 

Work areas should be kept clean and tidy at all times.

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.

Do not point scissors or anything sharp at yourself or anyone else.

Last RuleFess up if you mess up!!!

Lab Safety Symbols

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.

Alex 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.

Remember to… Stay at your work station

w/partner(s) Do not engage in –

Practical jokes Horse playing Rough housing Running in class

Maintain a clean work area Read and follow all directions Report any spills, accidents,

or injury to the teacher immediately Clean and put away all equipment

at the end of the lab period Dispose of waste products properly

Any Questions?

REMEMBER:• Carefully read through the entire Safety Contract and sign.• Have your parents read and sign your Safety Contract.• Study for the Safety Quiz/Test later this week!

Safety Rules1.

2.

3.

Safety Test

Summary

Purpose StatementThe study of science is activity

based; therefore, safety is a primary concern for students teachers, and parents. To ensure a safe science environment, we are providing a list of rules in the student safety contract that requires signatures before any labs can be conducted.