chem safety
Always approach laboratory experiences in a serious and courteous manner.
Report any accident to the teacher immediately, no matter how minor. This includes any burn, scratch, cut or corrosive liquid on skin or clothing.
Know the location of the emergency shower, eye/face wash fountain, fire blanket, fire extinguisher, fire alarm & exits.
Know the proper fire drill procedure.
Place books, purses and such items in the designated storage area. Take only laboratory manuals and laboratory notebooks into the working area.
Perform only those laboratory activities for which instructions and permission have been given by the teacher.
Use only materials and equipment authorized by the instructor.
Long hair/loose clothing should be secured when using fire. Flames should not be used near flammable liquids.
Wear appropriate eye protection, as directed by the instructor, whenever working in the laboratory. Safety goggles must be worn during more hazardous experiments involving caustic/corrosive chemicals, heating of liquids and other activities that may injure the eyes. Glasses do not provide adequate protection.
Student apparel should be appropriate for laboratory work. Long hanging necklaces, bulky jewelry, and excessive and bulky clothing should not be worn in the laboratory. Confine long hair during a laboratory activity.
Prepare for each laboratory activity by reading all instructions before beginning the lab. Follow all directions implicitly and intelligently. Make note of any modification in procedure given by the instructor.
Never carry hot equipment or dangerous chemicals through a group of students.
Never taste anything or touch chemicals with the hands unless specifically instructed to do so.
Eating or drinking in the laboratory or from laboratory equipment is not permitted.
Always test for odor of chemicals by waving your hand above the container and sniffing cautiously from a distance.
Never pour reagents back into bottles, exchange caps of bottles, or lay caps face down on the table.
When diluting acids, always pour acids into water, never the reverse. Combine the liquids slowly while stirring the mixture with a glass rod. Just remember this jingle, " Like you otter...add acid to water."
Keep hands away from face, eyes and body while using solutions, specimens, equipment or materials in the aboratory. Wash hands thoroughly at the conclusion of the laboratory period.
In case of a burn from an acid or alkali, wash the affected area immediately with plenty of running water. If the eye is involved, irrigate it without interruption for at least 15 minutes. Report the incident to your instructor immediately.
Check the labels and equipment instructions carefully. Be sure correct items are being used in the proper manner.
Keep work areas clean.
Light gas burners only as instructed by the teacher. Use a burner with extreme caution. Keep your head and clothing away from the flame and turn it off when not in use. Do not bring any substance in contact with a flame unless specifically instructed to do so.
Do not throw used matches into waste paper baskets. A metal or ceramic container should be provided for burned materials disposal.
When heating material in a test tube, do not look down into the tube while heating it, or point it in the direction of any student during the process.
Students are not permitted in laboratory storage rooms or teacher work rooms without the approval of the teacher.
Throw all solid waste in designated waste baskets, jars or other receptacles. Do not discard any solids in the laboratory sinks, especially glass items, such as tubing or cover glasses.
Report broken items to the instructor immediately.
Never handle broken glass with bare hands; use counter brush and dustpan.
When removing an electrical plug from its socket, pull the plug, not the electrical cord.
Hazardous or toxic liquids should be disposed of properly. Follow the directions of your instructor.
Before you touch an electrical switch, plug or outlet, be sure your hands are dry.
All chemicals should be stored in properly labeled containers.
Spilled acids can be made safe with sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) found in the spill kit.
Spilled bases can be made safe with acids, such as a paste of boric acid or vinegar found in the spill kit.
The following are important safety symbols. Commit their meaning to memory.
