The Rules of Lab Safety 

You are responsiblefor your safety

and the safety of those around you.

Failure to act in a safe and responsible manner will result in the removal of all science lab privileges.

Professor Glickman, the lab practical joker, deftly places a single drop of hydrochloric acid on the back of Professor Bingham's neck.--Gary Larson, the Far Side

Horseplay will be dealt with

severely!

• No student should be in the lab unsupervised.• Be prepared for your lab. READ your procedure for

any safety precautions. • Do not eat or drink in the lab. Your food may pick up

harmful chemicals.• Never taste or directly inhale chemicals.• Do not sit on the lab benches.• Please stand while doing labs.• If designing your own experiment, you MUST first

have your procedure approved by your teacher .

General Safety Precautions

Handling Chemicals• All chemicals in the laboratory are to

be considered dangerous. Avoid handling chemicals with fingers. Do not taste, or smell any chemicals. 

• 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. Dispose of chemicals as instructed by your teacher.

• Never remove chemicals or other materials from the laboratory area

• Look for WHMIS or HHPS symbols on containers.

Hazardous Household Product Symbols

CORROSIVEEats or wears

away other materials.

EXPLOSIVEExplodes or

gives off deadly vapours.

FLAMMABLEIgnites if

exposed to heat or sparks.

POISONOUSMay cause sickness

or death if swallowed.

Compressedgas

Oxidizing material

Materials causingother toxic effects

Corrosivematerial

Flammable and combustible material

Materials causingimmediate and serious toxic effects

Biohazardous infectious material

Dangerously reactivematerial

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information SystemWHMIS

Handling Glassware

• Do not use dirty or chipped glassware.• Clean drips off the sides of beakers and flasks

for the safety of the next student.• Broken glass should be reported to the teacher

who will dispose of it in the “Broken Glass” container.

• Do not tightly stopper a flask where gas is being created. It could explode.

• Clean and return all glassware at the end of the lab.

Heating Substances

• Do not wear loose or baggy clothing in the lab.• Hot glass does not look hot! Handle recently

heated glassware with tongs.• Do not immerse hot glassware in cold water.  The

glassware may shatter.• Never look into a container that is being heated.

• Never leave a heat source unattended.

• Tie back long hair.

Safety Equipment

• Safety goggles must be worn whenever there is the potential for eye damage.

• Goggles must always be worn when heat or corrosive chemicals are used.

• Know the locations of all safety equipment in the lab: fire extinguishers, eye wash station, first aid box, fire blanket, fire exits.

Accidents & Injuries

• Inform a teacher if someone requires assistance.• If chemicals are spilled on skin or in eyes, rinse

with water for 20 minutes.• If you break something or spill something, please

inform a teacher immediately. Do NOT handle broken glass!

• If a fire starts, inform a staff member immediately – STOP… DROP… ROLL!!!

Respond to emergencies sensibly and immediately!

When the lab is done . .

• Dispose of chemicals and materials only as instructed by your teacher.

• Clean all glassware and put everything away according to instructions.

• Wipe the counters clean with paper towels.• Sinks should be cleaned and should not contain

any solid material.• Wash your hands and return your goggles.

IF YOU’RE NOT SURE ABOUT SOMETHING…

Ask your TEACHER!!!!