H.C. LAB SAFETY

honors chemistry lab safety

Laboratory Conduct

Conduct yourself in a responsible manner at all times in the laboratory.

Follow Instructions

Follow all written and verbal instructions carefully. Ask the instructor if unsure.

Never Work Alone

No student may work in the laboratory without an instructor present.

Do Not Touch Equipment

Do not touch any equipment or materials until instructed.

Food and Beverages Prohibition

Do not eat, drink, or use laboratory glassware for food or drinks.

Authorized Experiments

Perform only experiments authorized by the instructor.

Be Prepared for Work

Read all procedures thoroughly before entering the laboratory.

No Horseplay

Never fool around; horseplay and pranks are prohibited.

Good Housekeeping Practices

Keep work areas clean and only bring necessary materials.

Keep Aisles Clear

Keep aisles clear and push chairs under desks when not in use.

Know Safety Equipment Locations

Know where all safety equipment is located and how to use it.

Well-Ventilated Area

Always work in a well-ventilated area and use fume hoods when necessary.

Alertness and Caution

Be alert and notify the instructor of any unsafe conditions.

Proper Waste Disposal

Dispose of chemical waste properly; do not mix chemicals in sinks.

Read Labels

Read labels and equipment instructions carefully before use.

Hand Safety Practices

Keep hands away from face while using chemicals and wash hands after experiments.

Monitor Experiments

Experiments must be personally monitored at all times.

Storage Room Policy

Students are never permitted in the science storage rooms without permission.

Fire Drill Procedures

Know procedures for fire drills; close containers and turn off gas and electrical equipment.

Humane Treatment of Organisms

Handle all living organisms humanely; treat preserved materials with respect.

Handling Sharp Instruments

Carry knives and sharp instruments with tips down, and cut away from body.

Medical Condition Notice

Inform instructor of any medical conditions before working in the lab.

Laboratory Goggles Requirement

Always wear laboratory goggles when using chemicals.

Contact Lenses Safety

Contact lenses may be worn with proper goggles; inform instructor if worn.

Proper Lab Attire

Dress appropriately; secure long hair and avoid loose clothing and sandals.

Use of Lab Aprons

Wear lab aprons during laboratory activities.

Report Accidents Immediately

Report all accidents and injuries to the instructor immediately.

Emergency Code Announcement

Yell 'Code one, Code one' for immediate assistance in case of injury.

Eye or Skin Contamination Procedure

Flush with water for 20 minutes and notify instructor if chemicals contact skin or eyes.

Handling Mercury

Do not touch broken mercury; notify the instructor immediately.

Chemical Handling Warning

Consider all chemicals dangerous; do not touch, taste, or smell unless instructed.

Label Checking Protocol

Check labels on chemicals twice before use; take only what is needed.

Unused Chemicals Policy

Never return unused chemicals to their original containers.

Pipet Filling Safety

Never use mouth suction to fill a pipet; use a rubber bulb.

Reagent Transfer Guidelines

Hold containers away from your body when transferring reagents.

Acid Handling Caution

Handle acids carefully; always add acid to water, not the other way around.

Handling Flammable Liquids

Work with flammable liquids over a pan to contain spills.

Material Removal Policy

Never remove chemicals from the laboratory area.

Transporting Chemicals Safely

Carry chemicals securely and walk carefully between lab areas.

Glass Tubing Safety

Carry glass tubing vertically to minimize breakage risk.

Broken Glass Handling

Use a brush and dustpan to clean broken glass; dispose of it properly.

Inserting Glass Tubing Safely

Lubricate glass tubing before inserting it in stoppers and use gloves.

Wash Bottle Usage

Fill wash bottles only with distilled water and use as intended.

Electrical Safety

Grasp the plug, not the cord, when removing from a socket; keep hands dry.

Glassware Examination

Examine glassware before use; do not use chipped or cracked items.

Equipment Use Understanding

Ask the instructor for help if you do not understand how to use equipment.

Hot Glassware Caution

Do not immerse hot glassware in cold water; it may shatter.

Gas Burner Safety

Exercise caution when using gas burners, keeping hands and clothing away.

Never Leave a Lit Burner Unattended

Always turn off a burner or hot plate when not in use.

Test Tube Heating Guidelines

Do not point heated test tubes at anyone and follow instructions for heating.

Handling Hot Metals and Glass

Use tongs or gloves for heated metals and glass, which retain heat.

Do Not Look into Heating Containers

Never look into containers being heated.

Insulation for Hot Apparatus

Use an insulating pad for hot apparatus; allow it to cool before touching.

Bending Glass Safety

Allow glass to cool before handling; bring back of hand close to check temperature.