laboratory safety procedures

follow all written and spoken lab instructions carefully

a. do NOT perform experiments not described in the lab or without prior teacher approval.

b. if you have questions about a procedure ask BEFORE performing that step.

know the location of all safety equipment including:

• the first aid kit

• fire extinguisher

• the fire blanket

• phone

• eyewash

• & emergency shower

know the …

fire drill procedure and the evacuation route for our classroom

NO

EATING or DRINKING in the lab or from lab equipment.

act

maturely in the lab. there is LITTLE room & many students so you MUST exercise caution when moving about the room during a lab.

keep the work area clean & uncluttered

a. do NOT bring backpacks to lab stations

b. put backpack UNDER desks so people do not trip over them

c. bring a lab manual, notebook, calculator, pencil, and handouts to the lab bench.

d. wipe down the lab bench with a wet paper towel when down with the lab.

turn OFF

• electrical equipment

• water

• & gas

when NOT in use and when done with the lab.

keep hands away from

face and eyes and wash hands thoroughly after lab.

report all

• accidents

• injuries

• spills

• & breakage

no matter how small, to the teacher IMMEDIATELY

all broken glass goes into

a broken glass container. do NOT pick up broken glass with bare hands.

LAB APPAREL

wear

safety googles and apron for the entire time ANYONE is performing the lab when instructed to do so.

• using heat and/or chemicals ALWAYS requires the use of safety googles.

roll up

long sleeves above the wrist

avoid

loose fitting baggy clothing

tie

back long hair

remove

dangling necklaces or bulky jewelry

wear

close-toed shoes

USING HEAT

never leave

a hot plate or lit Bunsen burner unattended

never heat

broken or cracked glassware

heat testing tubes

using a water bath and point the opening away from yourself and others.

use

test tube tongs and do NOT touch hot glassware

do not

heat or burn anything not instructed by the teacher

USING CHEMICALS

NEVER touch or taste

any chemical in the lab unless instructed to do so by the teacher

only smell substances

using the wafting method

dilute acid by

adding acid to the water NOT water to acid

only mix chemicals

that you are instructed to mix by the teacher

in case of spillage onto skin,

wash immediately in running water & notify the teacher

if chemicals enter the eyes,

use eye wash for 15 minutes and notify the teacher immediately

waste chemicals go into

the waste container, NEVER down the sink, unless instructed to do so by teacher

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

do NOT use equipment with

frayed or damaged electrical cords

keep flammable material

away from the heat source and make sure the area is dry

SPECIMENS

always wash

hands after working with live or preserved specimens

treat all live animals with

respect. do NOT tease other students with specimens.

if bitten,

immediately notify the teacher and wash the wound with soap and water.

above all

carefully follow ALL directions for the lab given by the instructor. each lab has its own set of potential hazards which is why it is important to read the lab before coming to class and follow all directions.