Safety in Science - Precautions and Devices

Fire Safety Precautions and Emergency Equipment

Preventing fire hazards in the laboratory requires strict adherence to physical safety precautions before beginning any practical work. Individuals must stand up while working, tie back long hair, and roll up long sleeves to prevent loose hair or clothing from coming into contact with open flames or high heat sources.

In the event of an inanimate object catching fire, a fire extinguisher is used to extinguish the flames. Fire extinguishers are located at $3/5$ by lab bench $*4$. Operating a fire extinguisher requires completing a four-step process:

1. P: Pull the pin
2. A: Aim at the base of the fire
3. S: Stand $3\,\text{m}$ away from the fire
4. S: Squeeze the lever and sweep across the fire

When a person's body or clothing catches fire, a fire blanket must be used rather than an extinguisher. The fire blanket is stored in the Prep Room. Deploying the fire blanket involves three essential steps:

1. Calm the person down
2. Have the person Stop, Drop & Roll
3. Wrap the fire blanket tightly around the person to smother the flames

Chemical Splashes and Spills Management

To prevent chemical splashes and spills during experiments, safety precautions must be maintained at all times. Individuals must wear safety goggles, move carefully around the laboratory, and actively avoid direct contact with chemical substances.

Safety goggles are stored in the white goggle cabinet. Goggles must be worn at all times when handling or using chemicals to protect eyes from splashes and harmful vapors.

An eye wash station and shower is located at lab bench $3$ at the front of the room. If chemicals accidentally make contact with an individual's eye or eyes, specific sequential procedures must be followed immediately:

1. Notify the teacher first
2. Flush and rinse the affected eye or eyes at the eye wash station for $15\text{--}20\,\text{minutes}$
3. Visit the hospital for professional medical evaluation

When chemical splashes or spills occur on objects such as books or lab benches, a Spill-X Kit is used to safely clean up the material. Spill-X Kits are located at lab bench $7$. Spill-X kit A is formulated specifically for cleaning up acids, whereas Spill-X kit B is formulated specifically for cleaning up bases.

To prevent spills and equipment breakage when heating liquids, a beaker clamp is utilized. Beaker clamps are used to secure beakers firmly to a retort stand, preventing the container from falling or being damaged. The teacher will supply a beaker clamp whenever one is needed.

Handling Broken Glassware

To prevent glassware breakage and related injuries, precautionary habits must be observed. Individuals must stand up during lab activities, keep all glassware and equipment safely away from the edge of benches, and move carefully around lab work stations.

If glassware breaks, specialized clean-up tools are located at lab bench $7$, including a broken glass container, dustpan, broom, and tongs. Cleanup must follow five specific steps:

1. Notify the teacher immediately
2. NEVER use bare hands to pick up broken glass
3. Use tongs to pick up large pieces of broken glass
4. Use the broom & dustpan to sweep up smaller pieces of broken glass
5. Place all collected broken glass into the designated broken glass container

Red Emergency Button Controls

In the event of a critical laboratory crisis, a Red Emergency Button is located beside the door and at the back of the room. Activating the Red Emergency Button instantly shuts off all electrical power and gas supply to the lab benches across the entire room.