UA Topic 1

Lab Safety 1.1 WHMIS Symbols and Safety Procedures

Key Safety Rules

  • Read Instructions: Always read all written instructions before beginning any activity.

  • Follow Instructions: Listen carefully and follow all given instructions diligently.

  • Hygiene Practices: Wash your hands thoroughly after each activity and after handling chemicals.

  • Protective Gear: Wear safety goggles, gloves, or an apron as required for safety.

  • Caution with Materials: "Think before you touch"; be aware that equipment may be hot and substances may be dangerous.

  • Proper Smelling Techniques: Smell a substance by fanning the smell towards you; do not place your nose close to it.

  • Do Not Taste: Never taste any substances in the lab.

  • Secure Hair and Clothing: Tie back loose hair and roll up long sleeves to avoid accidents.

  • Pouring Technique: Never pour liquids into containers held in your hand; always use a test tube rack.

  • Clean Spills: Clean up any spilled substances immediately as directed by the teacher.

  • Viewing Containers: Never look into test tubes or containers from the top; always use the side view.

  • Glassware Safety: Avoid using cracked or broken glassware, and follow procedures for disposing of such glass.

  • Labeling Chemicals: Always label any container that holds chemicals.

  • Report Accidents: Report all accidents or spills to your teacher immediately.

  • Understand WHMIS Symbols: Familiarize yourself with WHMIS safety symbols on chemicals used in the lab.

WHMIS Overview

  • What does WHMIS stand for? Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System.

Common WHMIS Symbols

  • Compressed Gas

  • Toxic

  • Flammable

  • Poison

  • Biohazardous

Safety Gear Required

  • Wear appropriate safety gloves and other protective equipment as necessary.

Symbol Shapes

  • Hazard symbols are standardized shapes used on all hazardous materials.

WHMIS 2015

  • Introduces a new classification system for environmental hazards and requires the use of Safety Data Sheets (SDSs).

1.2 The Many Uses of Fluids

Definition of Fluids

  • Characteristics: Anything that has no fixed shape and can flow, usually liquids or gases, takes the shape of its container.

Uses of Fluids

  1. Slurries: Mixture of water and solids used in various applications:

    • Example: Syncrude uses oil-sand slurry to transport oilsand through pipelines to processing plants instead of conveyor belts.

    • Agricultural use in spreading manure on fields.

  2. Fluid-to-Solid Conversion:

    • Glass manufacturing by heating substances like sand and limestone to 1000°C to form glass.

    • Steel production with similar heating processes.

  3. Carrying Materials:

    • Fluids carry materials; examples include toothpaste containing polishing agents and fluoride mixed with binders.

Applications of Fluids

  • Includes but not limited to:

    • Air in tires

    • Jackhammers

    • Hovercrafts and jets

    • Hot air balloons

    • Air compressors

    • Boats (buoyancy effect)

    • Slurries in fire suppression and human consumption.

Assignment

  • Tasks: Prepare answers for application questions and review for the upcoming WHMIS and Fluids quiz.