Laboratory Safety Guidelines
Perform laboratory work only when your teacher is present. Unauthorized or unsupervised laboratory experimenting is not allowed.
Your concern for safety should begin even before the first activity. Always read and think about each laboratory assignment as well as complete all pre-lab work before starting your laboratory.
Know the location and use of all safety equipment in your laboratory. These should include the safety shower, eyewash, first-aid kit, fire extinguisher, and fire blanket.
Wear a laboratory apron and protective goggles for all laboratory work. Wear shoes (rather than sandals) and tie back loose hair.
Clear your benchtop of all unnecessary material such as books and clothing before starting your work. Only your laboratory equipment and lab book should be on the benchtop.
Check chemical labels twice to make sure you have the correct substance. Some chemical formulas and names may differ by only a letter or a number.
You may be asked to transfer some laboratory chemicals from a common bottle or jar to your own test tube or beaker. DO NOT return any excess material to its original container unless authorized by your teacher. Discard as directed by your teacher.
Never mix or heat chemicals unless directed to do so.
Avoid unnecessary movement and talk in the laboratory. Absolutely no horseplay.
NEVER taste laboratory materials. Gum, food or drinks are not allowed in the laboratory.
If you are instructed to smell something, do so by fanning some of the vapor gently toward your nose. Do not place your nose near the opening of the container. Your teacher will show you the correct wafting technique.
Do not allow poisonous substances to come into contact with any area of the skin that is cut or broken. Place Band-Aids or bandages on open cuts before arriving to the laboratory.
Never look directly down into a test tube; view the contents from the side. Never point the open end of a test tube toward yourself or your neighbor.
Any laboratory accident, however small, should be reported immediately to your teacher.
In case of a chemical spill on your skin or clothing, rinse the affected area with plenty of water. If the eyes are affected, water washing must begin immediately and continue for 10 to 15 minutes or until professional assistance is obtained.
Never wear soft or hard contacts during a laboratory session. Chemicals and chemical vapors could become lodged behind the contact lens, greatly increasing the damage the chemicals can do to your eyes.
Clean up chemical spills as directed by your instructor.
Minor skin burns should be placed under cold, running water.
Never sit down while working in the chemistry laboratory.
When discarding used materials, carefully follow instructions provided by your instructor.
Do not pour materials down the sink unless instructed to do so.
When discarding razor blades, needles or other sharp objects use the Sharp Container.
Place broken glassware in containers specifically for broken glass. Never place broken glass in a trashcan.
Use caution when removing corks or stoppers from test tubes, flasks, or other containers.
Keep chemicals away from chemical free table and from the animals and plants.
Please respect the No Touch Zones.
Clean all equipment as specified by your instructor. Goggles and aprons should be worn during clean up.
Return clean equipment, chemicals, aprons, and goggles to their designated locations when finished. Be sure the butane or propane burners are properly turned off.
Wash your hands thoroughly before leaving the laboratory.
If in doubt, ask! Don’t guess.
**Any student involved in unsafe behavior will be immediately removed from the laboratory, will not be allowed to complete the lab and will lose points/credit accordingly. Depending on the severity of the circumstances the student may not be allowed into any other labs for the remainder of the class and will lose points/credit accordingly.
**Some of the information in this guide sheet was obtained from the ChemCom Safety in the Laboratory sheet and Kemtec Laboratory Safety booklet.