Lab Safety Rules

PERSONAL SAFETY

• Every person shall wear eye protection devices when using corrosive, toxic, reactive, or irritating chemicals and during hazardous activities.

• Wash your hands before removing your goggles and leaving the laboratory.

• Never be a practical joker in the laboratory.

• Laboratory aprons must be worn when working with hazardous solutions.

• If you do not understand how or why to do a task, ask your instructor for help.  If there is any doubt in your mind, ask your instructor.

• Some chemicals can be harmful to a fetus. If pregnant, or suspect pregnancy, notify your science teacher or school counselor.

• Tie back long hair.  Secure loose clothing to the body and remove loose fitting coats and jackets.

• In classrooms functioning as a laboratory, no eating or drink will be allowed.

ROOM SAFETY

• Learn the location of the eyewash station and fire extinguishing devices and how to use them.

• Before leaving the laboratory, be certain that gas and water lines at your station are shut tightly and that all equipment and supplies are placed in their proper places.

• Off-limits designation for any area or demonstration is to be strictly observed by students.

• Know the emergency evacuation route and meeting point.

 LAB SAFETY SKILLS

• Follow your instructor’s oral and written instructions before, during and after all laboratory activities.                                                          

• Read an assigned investigation carefully before beginning it, noting all cautions listed.

• Work deliberately and with definite purpose, but do not hurry.

• Keep the workspace at your station and your apparatus clean and in good order.

• Read the label carefully before taking anything from a bottle or container. Using the wrong material could result in serious injury.

• Know what you are doing. Be wary of what neighboring students are doing.

MATERIALS SAFETY

• All chemicals should be regarded as hazardous unless your instructor informs you otherwise.

• Never mix or heat chemicals unless you are directed to do so.

• When mixing concentrated acids and water, always pour acids into water slowly and stir constantly.

• When observing the odor of any liquid, do not smell it directly. Use your hand to fan the odor towards you.

• Never taste a chemical or a solution or touch chemicals with your hands unless directed to do so by your instructor.

• When heating a test tube, do not heat just one spot on the test tube. Never have the open end of the test tube pointed at anyone. Never look directly down into a test tube.

• Always allow ample time for cooling after materials have been heated.

• Dispose of all materials as instructor designates.

OOPS! 

NOTIFY YOUR INSTRUCTOR OF ANY ACCIDENT OR POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS SITUATION.

IF ANY CHEMICAL IS SPLASHED ON YOU SKIN OR IN YOUR EYES,  

FLOOD WITH WATER IMMEDIATELY, THEN NOTIFY YOUR INSTRUCTOR