Flashcards Laboratory Safety Rules

General Lab Readiness

Be prepared before arriving at the lab and familiarize yourself with all procedures in advance.

Authorized Lab Activities

Perform only assigned lab activities. Never do anything not called for in the procedure or by your instructor.

Work Area Organization

Keep work areas clean and tidy. Bring only lab manuals and notebooks to the area; leave backpacks, purses, and extra books elsewhere.

Appropriate Lab Clothing

Remove loose garments, jackets, ties, and dangling jewelry. Roll up or secure long sleeves.

Hair Safety near Open Flames

Tie back or cover long hair, especially near open flames.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Wear safety glasses and lab aprons at all times in the laboratory.

Handling Apparatus & Equipment

Set up apparatus as instructed and always use prescribed instruments (tongs, test tube holders, forceps) for handling equipment.

Combustible Materials

Keep all combustible materials away from open flames.

Touching/Tasting Substances

Never touch or taste any substance unless specifically instructed to do so by your teacher.

Chemical Odor Testing

Never place your face directly near a chemical container. Use a wafting motion to direct odors to your nose.

Poisonous Vapors

Conduct any activity involving poisonous vapors in the fume hood.

Clean-Up & Waste Disposal

Dispose of waste as instructed, clean up spills immediately, wipe surfaces dry at the end of class, and wash hands thoroughly.

Accidents & Emergency Equipment

Know the location and operation of emergency equipment, and report all accidents/injuries to the teacher immediately.

Chemical Reagent Labels

Read and double-check labels on reagent bottles before use. Take only as much as you need.

Unused Chemical Reagents

Never return unused reagents to stock bottles.

Transferring Chemical Reagents

Hold containers away from your body when transferring chemical reagents.

Mixing Acid and Water

Always add the acid to the water (A&W), never water to acid.

Chemical Skin Contact

Avoid touching chemicals with hands. Wash immediately if contact occurs.

Carrying Glass Tubing

Carry long pieces of glass tubing in a vertical position to prevent breakage and stabbing hazards.

Handling Broken Glassware

Never handle broken glass bare-handed. Clean with a brush and dustpan, and dispose in the designated glass container.

Inserting Glassware in Stoppers

Lubricate glassware (tubing, thermometers) with water or glycerin before inserting into stoppers. Never force it—ask your teacher if stuck.

Hot Glass Safety

Allow plenty of time for hot glass to cool before touching it. Hot glass looks identical to cool glass.

Gas Burner Caution

Keep head and clothing away from flames. Turn burners off when not in use.

Heating Test Tubes

Never look directly into a container being heated. Point the mouth of a heating test tube away from yourself and others.

Unattended Heating

Never leave unattended anything that is being heated or is visibly reacting.