Lab Safety

• Give your teacher your complete attention when listening to instructions.
• Learn the location and proper use of the safety equipment available to you, such as safety goggles, protective aprons, heat-resistant gloves, fire extinguishers, fire blankets, eyewash fountains, and showers. Find out the location of the nearest fire alarm.
• Inform your teacher of any allergies, medical conditions, or other physical problems you may have. Tell your teacher if you wear contact lenses.
• Read through the entire activity before you start. Before beginning any step, make sure you understand waht to do. If there is anything you do not understand, ask your teacher to explain. Do not begin an activity until you are instructed to do so.
• If you are designing your experiment, obtain your teacher’s approval before carrying out the experiment.
• Clear the laboratory bench of all materials except those you are using in the activity.
• Follow your teacher’s instructions regarding the No Crowding Zone.
• Wear protective clothing (a lab apron or a lab coat) and closed shoes during activities involving equipment or materials. Long hair should be tied back.
• Wear safety goggles when using hazardous or unidentified materials and when heating materials.
• Do not taste or touch any material unless you are asked to do so by your teacher. Do not chew gum, eat, or drink in the laboratory.
• Read and make sure you understand all safety labels.
• Label all containers.
• Handle all chemicals carefully. When taking something from a bottle or other containers, double-check the label to be sure you are taking exactly what you need.
• If any part of your body comes in contact with a chemical or specimen, wash the area immediately and thoroughly with water. If your eyes are affected, do not touch them but wash them immediately and continuously for at least 15 minutes and inform your teacher.
• Hold the containers away from your face when pouring liquids.
• Place test tubes in a rack before pouring liquids into them. If you must hold the test tube, tilt it away from you before pouring liquids in.
• When you are instructed to smell a chemical in the laboratory, only waft using your hands. Never put your nose close to a chemical.
• Clean up any spilled water, chemicals, or other materials immediately, following instructions given by your teacher.
• Do not return unused chemicals to their original containers. Do not pour them down the drain. Dispose of chemicals as instructed by your teacher.
• Whenever possible, use electric hotplates for heating materials. Use flames only when instructed to do so. Read the special Bunsen burner safety procedures.
• When heating materials, always wear safety goggles and use hand protection if required.
• When heating glass containers, make sure you use clean Pyrex or Kimax. Do not use broken or cracked glassware. Always keep the open end pointed away from yourself and others. Never allow a container to boil dry.
• When heating a test tube over a flame, use a test tube holder. Holding the test tube at an angle and facing away from anyone, move it gently through the flame so that the heat is distributed evenly.
• Handle hot objects carefully. Hotplates can take up to 60 minutes to cool off completely. Hot and cold hotplate burners can look the same. If you burn yourself, immediately apply cold water or ice.
• Keep water and wet hands away from electrical cords, plugs, and sockets.
• Always unplug electrical cords by pulling on the plug, not the cord. Report any frayed cords or damaged outlets to your teacher.
• Make sure electrical cords are not placed where anyone can trip over them.
• When cutting with a knife or razor blade, follow your teacher's instructions. In most cases, you will be asked to cut away from yourself and away from others.
• When walking with a pair of scissors or any pointed object, keep the pointed surface facing the floor away from yourself and away from others.
• Watch for sharp or jagged edges on all equipment.
• Place broken or waste glass only in specially marked containers.
• Report to your teacher all accidents (no matter how minor), broken equipment, damaged or defective facilities, and suspicious-looking chemicals.
• Be sure all equipment is shut off when not in use. Be ready to shut off equipment quickly if it breaks down or if an accident occurs.
• Clean all equipment before putting it away.
• Put away all equipment and chemicals after use.
• Wash your hands thoroughly using soap and warm water after working in the science lab. This practice is especially important when you handle chemicals, biological specimens, or micro-organisms.
• Do not take any equipment, materials, or chemicals out of the lab.
• Do not practice lab experiments at home unless directed to do so.
• Hotplates should be used in preference to Bunsen burners whenever possible.
• Do not wear scarves or ties, long necklaces, or earphones suspended around your neck. Tie back long hair and roll back or secure loose sleeves before you light a Bunsen burner.