Lab Safety

Student Safety Guidelines and Agreement

Safety in science lab is always the highest priority. The following guidelines have been developed to ensure a safe laboratory environment. Please read the document carefully and commit yourself to following these guidelines at all times while working in the science laboratory.

1. Be prepared for lab! Read the procedures carefully before your scheduled lab period and follow all written and verbal instructions. Do not perform unauthorized experiments and never work alone.

2. Do not eat, drink, or chew gum in the chemistry laboratory. Any food-grade items that are brought into the lab for testing or analysis are considered laboratory chemicals and may not be removed from the lab after use.

3. Know the locations of all exits as well as the safety equipment in the lab including, and not limited to, fire extinguishers, fire safety blankets, safety showers and eyewash stations.

4. Dress appropriately for lab. Wear closed-toe shoes, long pants and a lab coat or chemical-resistant apron, as directed by the instructor. Tie back long hair and do not wear long, dangling jewelry or clothes with loose and baggy sleeves.

5. Wear chemical-splash goggles whenever working with chemicals, glassware or heat in the chemistry laboratory. Contact lenses may be worn provided adequate face and eye protection is also provided by non-vented safety goggles.

6. Report any accidents or incidents to the instructor immediately. These include, and are not limited to, spills, cuts, burns, and contact of chemicals with eyes and skin. Clean up all spills.

7. If a chemical splashes in your eyes, rinse cautiously with water for 10–15 minutes at the eyewash station. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do so. Continue rinsing. Get medical advice or attention if eye irritation persists.

8. In the case of chemical contact with skin or clothing, immediately remove all contaminated clothing. Rinse skin with water for 15 minutes at the sink or safety shower. Seek medical attention or advice if needed.

9. Carefully read the labels on all chemical bottles before use. Review the physical and chemical hazard information for each chemical and consult the Safety Data Sheet for additional safety and handling information if needed.

10. Wear all appropriate personal-protective equipment including goggles, chemical-resistant gloves, and a lab coat or apron as advised on the chemical label and/or Safety Data Sheet.

11. Remove only as much chemical from the labeled bottle as is needed for the procedure and do not return unused chemicals to their original containers.

12. Dispose of leftover chemicals or reaction mixtures as directed by the instructor. Do not pour chemicals down the drain or dispose of them in the solid trash unless specifically authorized to do so by the instructor.

13. Keep all flammable liquids away from heat, sparks and open flames.

14. Exercise caution when using a laboratory burner. Tie back long hair and make sure clothing and hands are a safe distance from the flame at all times.

15. Never leave a lit burner unattended. Always turn the burner or hot plate off when not in use.

16. Hot plates, heated metals and glassware remain hot for a long time. Allow items to cool before moving them. Use tongs or heat-protective gloves and place on an insulated or ceramic pad.

17. Examine laboratory glassware for chips and cracks before use and do not use defective glassware.

18. Do not handle broken glass with bare hands. Use a brush and dustpan to clean up broken glass and place in a designated glass disposal container.

19. Be in the moment—and aware of your surroundings—throughout the scheduled lab period. Conduct yourself in a responsible manner at all times.

20. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before leaving the lab.

The student/parent info sheet requires students and parents to initial that they have read the safety agreement.

Adapted from Flinn Scientific