The Northwest High School Science Lab

Chemistry Laboratory Safety

Lab Safety: Everyone is Responsible!

• "I didn't mean to" and "It wasn't my fault" are two statements that have no place in the lab.

• Horse-play will not be tolerated.

• Lack of pre-lab preparation is the biggest threat to lab safety.

Safety Glasses must be worn any time you are in the lab area.

– Safety glasses are stored in the lab area.

– Other protective clothing, such as gloves and aprons are to be worn when needed.

Long hair and bulky clothing are dangerous in the lab area.

– There is a danger of catching fire, as well as being drawn through chemicals.

– Wear appropriate clothing.

– Tie back long hair.

Rings, watches, and dangling jewelry are dangerous in the lab

area.

– Corrosive or irritating liquids may get underneath a ring or watch and produce irritation.

– Dangling jewelry may catch on a piece of labware and cause an accident.

• Always pay attention to verbal instructions given by your science facilitator.

Accidents Can Happen• Remain calm! A minor

problem can quickly become a major one if you don't.

• Report all accidents immediately, no matter how small.

• Types of accidents and how to handle them:

Broken Glass: • The most common accident in the lab, even with the

best of care. • If you are using the equipment properly, you will not get

into trouble for breaking a piece of glassware. • If you are not using the equipment properly, or if horse-play

is involved, you will be required to pay for the broken glassware.

• If glassware is broken, stop where you are. Report the breakage to your facilitator.

• Do not move until your facilitator says it is safe to do so. There will most likely be many small slivers of glass that you do not immediately notice.

• If anyone is cut, report it immediately. • Chemical spills are often involved with glass breakage.

When that occurs, follow those safety precautions too.

Cuts and Scrapes: • Report the situation to your facilitator and let

him help the injured person. • There is always a possibility of infection, even

with the most minor injury. For this reason you should report any cut or scrape, even if there is no visible blood.

• Do not come into contact with another person's blood, either directly or indirectly.

•

Chemical Spills: • Chemical Safety Warning Signs - NFPA, ANSI, OSHA • Depending on the chemical spilled, we might just have a mess to

clean up or we might have a very dangerous situation. • The most potentially dangerous chemicals used in our lab are

corrosive acids and bases. Even though you will normally be using chemicals that have been diluted, you should always treat acids and bases with care.

• You are to treat all spills as DANGEROUS. • Stop where you are and let your facilitator advise you about

what to do. • Always consult the proper Material Safety Data Sheet before

doing anything. • Did any of the spill get on your skin or clothing? Sometimes

adding water is the worst thing you can do. • Spill Pillows to absorb large amounts of chemicals are stored in

the chemical cart, if needed.

Fire: • Lab burners are the source of most problems:

– Bunsen burners have very few malfunctions. If a malfunction occurs, turn off the gas and notify your facilitator- end of problem.

– The flame from alcohol burners is hard to see. Pay close attention when using them.

– Be aware when a burner is in use at your lab station. Be extremely careful during that time.

– When you are not actively heating something - turn the burner off.

• Clothing or Hair is the most dangerous type of fire in the lab. – Don't panic! – If you are the one involved in a fire - stay where you are - help

is coming. – If your partner is involved in a fire - get the fire blanket. Your

facilitator will be racing you to the blanket and both of you will help your partner smother the fire.

– If the fire is not at your lab station - stay away !

• The science facilitator is the only person authorized to use the fire extinguisher

Lab Safety SymbolsWhy are they important???

Using your safety contract you will design a new safety symbol. It cannot be similar to those that we went over so you must find a new rule and draw accordingly. On the front of your paper you will draw your design. You must use multiple colors and your symbol must fill more than half the page. On the back you need to write the safety rule that you chose.

Lab Safety Equipment

Eye Wash/Shower Station:

– Eye wash station is located in the science lab. It should only be used if chemicals come in contact with the eyes

– Flood eyes and eyelids with water for a minimum of 15 minutes.

– Shower in the event that large amounts of chemicals are spilled or splashed onto the skin or clothing

Fire Safety Blanket:

– The fire safety blanket is located in the science lab.

– Fire blankets are not the best means to extinguish a fire. They may be used to extinguish clothing that is burning, but should never be used on any other type of fire.

– Fire blankets are a good means to keep shock victims warm.

Fire Extinguisher: – The fire extinguisher is located on the lab wall. – Only the science facilitator is authorized to use the fire

extinguisher. – Fire extinguishers are classified according to a particular fire type and

are given the same letter and symbol classification as that of the fire. – Types of extinguishers:

• TYPE A -- Combustibles wood, cloth, paper, rubber and plastics. • TYPE B -- Flammable liquids, oil, grease and paint thinners. • TYPE C -- Energized electrical equipment • TYPE D -- Combustible metals (magnesium, titanium, sodium, lithium,

potassium). • Multipurpose Extinguishers are an effective agent against Types A, B, and C

fires. • Our laboratory fire extinguisher is Type ABC.

– To effectively operate an extinguisher, think P-A-S-S. • P -- pull the pin

A -- aim the hose at the base of the fireS -- squeeze the handleS -- sweep the hose back and forth

Clean-Up:• Clean-up is important for the safety of others and for

the preservation of equipment. • Your lab station and equipment should be cleaned

before you worry about the lab report. • What clean-up should be done after each lab?

– Dispose of chemicals as directed by your facilitator. – NEVER put unused chemicals back into their original container. – Return chemical containers to the chemical table. – Wash and dry all glassware, then store properly. – Clean hardware, but DO NOT wash. If any hardware is wet, dry

completely before storing. This is to prevent rusting. – Clean and dry your lab table.

The NFPA Diamond• National Fire Protection Association• “Standardized” labeling system for chemical

hazards• Includes four color codes

red (flammability) blue (health)yellow (reactivity) white (special warnings)

• Numerical Ratings 0= no hazard 1= slight 2= moderate3= severe 4= extreme

NFPA HazardLabel

• Required on all chemical labels

• Scale value from 0-4

Flammability

ReactivityHealth

Special Notice

NFPA HazardLabel1 What is the

greatest safety hazard for the chemical illustrated to the left?

2 What is the reactivity value of the chemical?

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What is MSDS ?• Material Safety Data Sheet• A “non-standard” form required of all chemical distributors• Must contain all relevant information on a chemical

including but not limited to:– health, fire, poison, & causticity hazards– first aid– controls/special protections– carcinogens – physical/chemical characteristics– spill/leak procedures

Where Do We Find the MSDS?

MSDS sheets are maintained in each:– chemical storeroom– preparation room

Ask your instructor if you wish to see one

MSDS “Yourself” Project

• Follow the directions on the assignment sheet for the MSDS “yourself” project

• You have the rest of class today to work on the project.

• Project is due Tuesday when you return