Science Lab Safety and Equipment Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards based on classroom safety rules, common laboratory equipment, and school safety alert system procedures.

Lab Safety Rule: Instructions from teacher

Give your teacher your complete attention when listening to instructions.

Lab Safety Rule: Location of safety equipment

Learn the location and proper use of safety goggles, aprons, extinguishers, blankets, eyewash, showers, and the nearest fire alarm.

Lab Safety Rule: Medical conditions and contact lenses

Inform your teacher of any allergies, medical conditions, or physical problems, and if you wear contact lenses.

Lab Safety Rule: Reading lab activities

Read the entire activity before starting, ensure you understand all steps, ask questions if needed, and wait for instructions to begin.

Lab Safety Rule: Conducting experiments

Do not perform any unauthorized experiments.

Lab Safety Rule: Lab bench maintenance

Keep your lab bench clear of all materials except those required for the current activity.

Lab Safety Rule: Clothing and hair safety

Wear protective clothing (apron/coat) and closed shoes during labs, and tie back long hair.

Lab Safety Rule: Eye safety

Wear safety goggles during lab activities involving hazardous or unidentified materials, or when heating substances.

Lab Safety Rule: Tasting or touching materials

Do not taste or touch any material unless explicitly instructed by the teacher.

Lab Safety Rule: Food, drink, and gum

Do not chew gum, eat, or drink in the laboratory.

Lab Safety Rule: Conduct in the lab

Do not rock or lean on lab stools, run, play games, or throw objects.

Lab Safety Rule: Working with partners and chemical labels

Never work alone, read bottle labels carefully, and have a partner double-check chemical amounts.

Lab Safety Rule: Open flames and Bunsen burners

Keep loose clothing away from flames and never leave a lighted Bunsen burner unattended.

Lab Safety Rule: Disposal of unused chemicals

Never return unused chemicals to original containers or pour them down drains; dispose of them as instructed by the teacher.

Lab Safety Rule: Handling electrical equipment

Keep wet hands away from outlets, unplug by pulling the plug (not cord), and report frayed cords or damaged outlets.

Lab Safety Rule: Broken glass disposal

Place broken or waste glass only in specially marked glass containers; do not handle broken glass yourself.

Lab Safety Rule: Post-lab procedure and hygiene

Clean all equipment before putting it away and wash hands thoroughly with warm water and soap after working in the lab.

Lab Safety Rule: Removing lab items or home practice

Do not take equipment or chemicals out of the lab or practice experiments at home unless directed.

Safety shower (location & chemical spill response)

Located near the sink. If chemicals get on clothing, pull lever and stay under shower for at least 15 minutes.

Fire blanket (location & usage)

Located in left corner of room. Used when someone is on fire by covering them and having them stop, drop, and roll.

Fire extinguisher (location & PASS technique)

Located at left near door. Use PASS: Pull pin, Aim at base of fire, Squeeze handle, Sweep side to side.

Sand usage in lab fires

Used to extinguish fires involving active metals (sodium, potassium, lithium) by pouring sand to cover flames completely.

Eyewash station (location & operation)

Located near sink. Flush eyes continuously with a stream of water for 15 minutes and inform teacher.

Fume hood function and procedure

Used for experiments producing toxic fumes; open hood, turn on, and conduct experiment inside.

First aid kit usage

Used for minor cuts and burns; clean/cover injury and inform teacher.

Balances (lab equipment function)

Lab instrument used to measure mass.

Erlenmeyer flask (features & function)

Flat, conical body with a cylindrical neck; allows contents to be swirled or stirred without spilling.

Graduated cylinder (function)

Used to accurately measure the volume of a liquid.

Mortar and pestle (function)

Tool used to crush, grind, and mix solid substances.

Spot plate (features & function)

Ceramic or plastic plate with wells used for reactions with small amounts of materials.

Beaker (features & function)

Cylindrical container with a flat bottom and pouring lip, used for stirring, mixing, and heating chemicals.

Glass stirring rod (description & function)

Solid glass rod (sometimes rubber-ended) used to mix chemicals.

Thermometer (function)

Instrument used to measure the temperature of a substance.

Eye dropper (function)

Tool used to transfer small quantities of liquids.

Spatula / Scoopula (lab utensil function)

Utensil used to transfer solid chemicals, usually in powder form.

Funnel (function)

Tool used to direct liquids or fine-grained substances into containers with small openings.

Emergency Protocol - Lockdown

Close blinds, shut windows, turn off lights, lock door, sit out of sight, turn off cell phones. Remain until 'all clear' is announced.

Emergency Protocol - Earthquake 5-step procedure

1. Move from windows/shelves. 2. Extinguish flames/clear chemicals. 3. Duck/cover under desks. 4. Count 1–60 out loud. 5. Evacuate when shaking stops.

Emergency Protocol - Fire Alarm & Evacuation

Quietly line up, turn right out of room through doors to outside meeting spot inside school property, and wait for 'all clear'.