Safety Protocols

• General laboratory safety rules:

  • Behave quietly in the laboratory and never rush
  • Be ready to stop quickly
  • If the teacher asks you to stop during a lab, all activity must stop immediately
  • Students must be careful, cooperate with lab partners, and act in a well-behaved manner for their safety and the safety of others
• Before starting a lab:

  • Read the entire activity carefully and know the purpose of the lab
  • Clear all books not being used for the experiment from the lab bench
• Learn the location and use of safety equipment:

  • Safety goggles, protective aprons, fire extinguishers, fire blankets, eye wash stations
  • Know the location of the nearest fire alarm
• Never taste or touch any material unless instructed to do so, as some chemicals can be dangerous
• When instructed to smell a chemical:

  • Follow the correct procedure for smelling chemicals - wafting to dilute the chemical with air
  • Never sniff the chemical by placing it close to your nose
• Use flames only when instructed to do so, and never heat flammable materials with a bunsen burner
• Be careful when heating materials in test tubes:

  • Ensure the test tube is Pyrex and not cracked
  • Keep the test tube moving in the flame for even heating
  • Do not hold the glass with hands as it may get too hot
• Handle hot objects carefully:

  • Use the back of your hand to check if an object is hot
  • Alternatively, put a drop of water on the object to see if it sizzles
  • Apply cold water or ice immediately if you suffer a burn
• Beware of drops on laboratory benches, as they may be dangerous liquids:

  • Use a wet paper towel to wipe up drops without touching the unknown liquid
• If any part of your body comes into contact with any harmful chemical:

  • Wash the area immediately and thoroughly with water for 5 minutes
• If your eyes are affected:

  • Do not touch them
  • Wash them immediately and continuously for at least 10 minutes
• Never carry dangerous chemicals or hot items through crowds of students
• Never pour harmful chemicals or any items that do not dissolve into the sink. Dispose of them as instructed by your teacher
• When you unplug an electrical cord:

  • Pull the PLUG, not the cord
  • Report any frayed cords or loose plugs to your teacher
• All equipment carelessly broken must be PAID FOR by the student. Don't throw glass in garbage
• Safety goggles must be worn by all students when using acids or performing experiments where heat could cause minor eruptions
• Never drink out of a container in the science lab. Ask for permission to get a drink of water
• Fire Extinguishers

  A: puts out wood based fires

  B: puts out liquid fires

  C: puts out electrical fires
• PASS

  Pull pin

  Aim hose

  Squeeze trigger

  Sweep the area
• Fire Blanket

  Stop, drop, and roll

  Do not run since oxygen feeds the flames
• Heating materials in test tubes

  Make sure the test tube is Pyrex

  Make sure it is not cracked or else it will melt

  Keep it tilted so more surface is heated and that it is heated evenly otherwise contents may shoot out

  Do not hold the test tube with your hands, instead, use a test tube holder
• Gas Jet

  Gas smells like rotten eggs

  More gas = bigger flame

  More oxygen = hotter flame (hard to see so do not leave unattended)
• Burns

  If you suffer a burn, apply cold water or ice immediately for 5 minutes