Honors Bio - Lab Safety

How do you prepare for a lab?

Prepare for the lab by reading the procedures and safety information ahead of time.

What behaviors should students avoid to maintain saftey?

No horseplay, unprofessional, or disrespectful behavior.

How should students follow instructions during experiments?

Follow all verbal and written instructions given by the instructor.

When is it safe to work alone or conduct experiments independently?

Never work in the lab unsupervised or perform unauthorized experiments.

What activities are prohibited in the lab to prevent contamination/accidents?

Do not eat, drink, apply cosmetics, manipulate contact lenses, or chew gum in the lab.

How can students help keep the lab environment safe and efficient?

Keep work areas tidy. Keep lab benches, aisles and exits clear, and move backpacks, jackets, and other personal items out of  the way of lab work.

What safety gear must be worn at all times when performing lab work?

Wear approved eye protection properly at all times while you perform lab work.

What additional safety equipment should be used as directed by instructor?

Wear any additional safety equipment (aprons, gloves, etc.) as directed by the instructor.

What clothing and grooming standards are required in the lab?

Wear closed-toe shoes, appropriate lab attire, and tie back long hair.

What should you do if an accident or injury happens?

Report all accidents, spills, or injuries to the instructor immediately.

What is important to know regarding safety equipment?

Know how to use all classroom safety equipment and its location.

How can students ensure they can evacuate the lab quickly if needed?

Know the location of the nearest exit.

What is the proper way to wash your hands after lab work?

Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before exiting the lab.

Does all equipment need to be disinfected after use?

Disinfect all equipment as directed by the instructor

How should chemicals and specimens be handled during experiments?

Handle all lab chemicals and specimens with care. Do not touch, smell, or taste any chemicals or  specimens unless specifically instructed to do so.

What must you do before using any chemical in the lab?

Read all chemical labels before use.  Be sure you’re using the correct chemical at the  correct concentration before removing it from the bottle.

Are students allowed to remove chemicals or specimens from the lab?

No do not remove chemicals, specimens, equipment, or other supplies from the lab.

What is the safe procedure when operating a burner or heat source?

Always turn the device off  when not in use.

How should broken glass be cleaned up safely?

Do not handle broken glass with bare hands. Use a brush and dustpan to clean up broken glass  and place it in a designated glass disposal container.

Which waste materials should be disposed?

Dispose of all waste materials only as directed by the instructor.

What is the correct disposal method for sharp items?

Dispose of sharp items in an approved sharps container.

How should models and microscopes be transported safely?

Transport models and microscopes in the upright position, supporting the base.

How should specimens be handled during dissection?

Treat all specimens with respect and care.

What should you remember about dissecting tools?

Dissecting tools are sharp. Handle all instruments with extreme care.

How should specimens be placed before beginning a dissection?

Place specimens in dissecting pans before beginning the dissection, and pin down as necessary. Do not make any cuts while holding the specimen.

What is the safest way to make cuts during dissection?

Always cut away from your body and away from others.

Why should contact with preservative chemicals be avoided?

To prevent exposure to potentially hazardous substances.

What should you do if you experience an injury or serve illness during dissection

Inform your teacher of any injuries, illness, or other accidents that occur during dissection.

What must you do if you need to store specimens between lab periods?

Never remove specimens or specimen parts from the classroom. All parts of the specimen must remain in the  dissecting pan until the dissection is completed. Store specimens between lab periods as directed by your instructor.

How should dissection work?

Dispose of dissected materials in the appropriate waste container.

What final step should you do at the end of your dissection work?

Clean up your work area at the end of the lab period. Wash and dry dissecting tools and return all supplies to their proper place.

How should the microscope be powered on safely?

Plug your microscope into an appropriate 120-V outlet. Turn on the microscope’s power supply.

What is the recommended starting objective lens when using a microscope.

Rotate the 4× objective lens into place, perpendicular to the microscope stage. Always start with the lowest power  (shortest) objective lens.

How do you securely place a slide on the stage, centering the specimen over the opening.

Carefully and securely place a slide on the stage, beneath the spring-loaded clips or the holder on a mechanical  stage, centering the specimen over the hole in the stage.

How should the aperture be adjusted on a microscope?

Adjust the disc or iris diaphragm, located just under the stage, so that the maximum aperture (the largest opening)  is aligned with the opening in the stage.

What is the proper way to focus using the coarse adjustment?

While looking through the eyepiece and using the course-focus adjustment, slowly move the stage/specimen  away from the objective until the image is clear.

Once you have the intial focus, which objective do you rotate into place for higher magnification?

Rotate the 10× objective into place. While looking through the eyepiece and using the smaller, fine-focus  adjustment, clearly focus the enlarged image.

What should you do before switching to the highest magnification (40x) objective?

Rotate the 40× objective into place and repeat the steps taken for the previous increase in magnification.

What is a good tip to avoid eye strain while viewing under a microscope?

The proper procedure for looking through a microscope is to keep both eyes open. This requires some practice but  reduces eye strain during long-term use.

What should you do after completing your microscope work?

When finished, turn the power supply off and let the bulb cool.

How to clean microscope lens?

Using lens paper, gently clean the lenses.

How to remove cord from socket?

Remove the cord from the socket by holding the plug, not pulling on the cord.

What do you replace on microscope and how to move the microscope once done?

Replace the dust cover and return the microscope to the designated area using both hands. You should have one  hand gripping the arm and the other under the base.