Honors Chemistry - Laboratory Safety 2024-25

Purpose of Safety in the Chemistry Laboratory

  • Hands-on laboratory activities involve hazardous chemicals.

  • Student safety is the top priority for students, teachers, and parents.

  • Safety rules must be followed at all times as provided in the student safety contract.

  • Signed Laboratory Agreement required for participation in lab activities.

  • A copy of the safety rules should be kept in the science notebook.

General Rules

  1. Responsible Conduct

    • Always act responsibly in the laboratory.

  2. Follow Instructions

    • Adhere to written and verbal instructions. Ask the instructor for clarification if needed.

  3. No Working Alone

    • Never work without the instructor present.

  4. Entering the Science Room

    • Do not touch equipment or chemicals until instructed.

  5. No Food or Drink

    • Avoid eating, drinking, or chewing gum. Do not use lab glassware for food or beverages.

  6. Authorized Experiments Only

    • Perform only experiments approved by the instructor. Unauthorized experiments are prohibited.

  7. Preparation

    • Thoroughly read all procedures prior to lab work.

  8. No Horseplay

    • Avoid practical jokes and horseplay as they are dangerous.

  9. Good Housekeeping

    • Keep work areas tidy and bring only necessary items to the laboratory.

  10. Keep Aisles Clear

  • Ensure aisles are unobstructed and push chairs under desks.

  1. Safety Equipment Awareness

  • Know the location and usage of safety equipment (first aid kit, eyewash station, etc.).

  1. Ventilation

  • Work in a well-ventilated area, using fume hoods for hazardous substances.

Additional Safety Rules

  1. Alertness and Caution

  • Maintain caution and report unsafe conditions to the instructor.

  1. Proper Chemical Waste Disposal

  • Dispose of chemicals correctly; only water and instructor-approved solutions in sinks.

  1. Labels and Instructions

  • Read labels and equipment instructions carefully prior to use.

  1. Hand Safety

  • Keep hands away from face when working with chemicals and wash hands afterward.

  1. Monitoring Experiments

  • Monitor your experiment and avoid distractions or interfering with others.

  1. Restricted Areas

  • Do not enter storage or preparation areas without instructor permission.

  1. Fire Drill Procedures

  • Follow specific procedures during fire drills to ensure safety.

  1. Humane Treatment of Organisms

  • Handle living organisms with care and dispose of preserved materials properly.

  1. Sharp Instruments Handling

  • Carry knives and sharp instruments safely and never attempt to catch falling sharp tools.

  1. Medical Conditions

  • Consult with a physician regarding any medical conditions before lab participation.

Clothing Guidelines

  1. Protective Goggles

  • Wear goggles whenever chemicals, heat, or glassware are in use.

  1. Contact Lenses

  • Do not wear contact lenses unless permitted by the instructor.

  1. Dress Code

  • Keep long hair tied back, remove dangling jewelry, and wear closed shoes.

  1. Lab Aprons

  • Use lab aprons during all lab activities.

Accident and Injury Protocols

  1. Accident Reporting

  • Report all accidents or injuries to the instructor immediately.

  1. Code One Alert

  • Use "Code one, Code one" to alert the instructor if a partner is hurt.

  1. Chemical Exposure Response

  • Flush eyes or skin with running water for at least 20 minutes in case of chemical exposure.

  1. Mercury Spills

  • Do not touch broken mercury thermometers; immediately inform the instructor.

Handling Chemicals

  1. Dangerous Chemicals Policy

  • Treat all chemicals as if they are hazardous. Do not touch, taste, or smell unless instructed.

  1. Label Checking

  • Double-check labels on chemicals before use and take only needed amounts.

  1. Return of Chemicals

  • Never return unused chemicals to their original containers.

  1. Pipetting Safely

  • Avoid mouth suction for filling pipets; use a rubber bulb instead.

  1. Reagent Transport

  • Hold containers away from your body when transferring reagents.

  1. Acid Safety

  • Handle acids cautiously and always add acid to water, not vice versa.

  1. Flammable Liquids

  • Work with flammable liquids over a container to catch spills.

  1. Material Removal Policy

  • Do not remove chemicals from the laboratory areas.

  1. Transport Precautions

  • Securely hold and carefully walk while transporting acids and chemicals.

Handling Glassware and Equipment

  1. Glass Tubing Care

  • Carry glass tubing vertically to reduce breakage risks.

  1. Broken Glass Disposal

  • Clean up broken glass with a brush and dustpan, do not use bare hands.

  1. Glassware Insertion Safety

  • Always lubricate glass tubing before inserting it into stoppers and protect your hands.

  1. Wash Bottles Usage

  • Only fill wash bottles with distilled water for intended purposes.

  1. Electrical Safety

  • Grasp plugs by their bodies, not cords, and ensure hands are dry before touching plugs.

  1. Inspect Glassware

  • Check glassware for chips or dirt before use.

  1. Damaged Equipment Reporting

  • Report any damaged electrical equipment immediately.

  1. Equipment Clarification

  • Ask for help if you are unclear about how to use equipment.

  1. Temperature Shock

  • Do not immerse hot glassware in cold water to prevent shattering.

Heating Substances Safety

  1. Burner Precautions

  • Keep hair and clothing at a safe distance from gas burners and never reach over open flames.

  1. Monitor Heated Substances

  • Never leave heated substances unattended and turn off burners when not in use.

  1. Test Tube Heating

  • Avoid pointing heated test tubes at yourself or others.

  1. Handling Heated Glass

  • Use tongs or gloves for hot glassware; allow enough cooling time.

  1. Observing Heating Processes

  • Never look directly into a heated container.

  1. Hot Apparatus Placement

  • Use insulating pads to protect surfaces from hot apparatus.

  1. Glass Handling Care

  • Identify hot objects by the heat sensation before grasping them. Negligence results in fines and loss of lab points.

Safety Symbols

  • Safety symbols denote specific precautions to be taken in the lab.

Safety Precautions Highlighted by Symbols

  • Eye Protection: Wear goggles; know the location of eyewash station and proper usage.

  • Chemical Safety: Never return unused chemicals to containers; label beakers/test tubes accurately.

  • Clothing Protection: Wear an apron; secure long hair and remove loose jewelry.

  • Caustic Substance Safety: Don't pour water into strong acids or bases.

  • Hand Safety: Wear gloves; minimize open flame usage.

  • Heating Safety: Use hot mitts or tongs; point heated test tubes away from individuals.

  • Glassware Safety: Inspect glassware prior to use.

  • Hygiene Care: Maintain hand cleanliness and avoid eating or drinking in the lab.

  • Waste Disposal: Follow instructions for proper chemical waste disposal.