Lab Safety Rules

Your Guide to Laboratory Safety

General

• 1. Playing is not allowed.  You will be removed from the lab when caught.

  2. Do not eat, drink, or chew gum during a lab.

  3. Cleaning up in the lab is the responsibility of all students.

  4. Dry your hands before touching an electrical outlet, plug or switch.

  5. Keep lab floors, aisle and pathways clear of equipment and chemicals.

  6. Always wash your hands after working with any chemicals.

Clothing

• 1. Long hair must be kept away from flames and chemicals with a hair tie or clip.

  2. Avoid wearing loose or flammable clothing and dangling jewelry.

  3. Closed-toed shoes must be worn during lab.  No sandals, flip-flops, slippers, etc.

Health Issues

• 1. Immediately tell the teacher if you are hurt (cut, burnt, etc.) during a lab.

  2. Tell the teacher if you develop a headache during lab. This could be due to chemicals.

  3. Notify the teacher about any allergies so we can watch for possible allergic reactions.

Protective Equipment

• 1. Approved safety goggles or safety glasses must be worn at all times during a lab.

  2. Tell the teacher if you wear contact lenses since some lab chemicals can irritate them.

  3. Eyeglasses do not provide the same protection as safety goggles or glasses.

  4. Lab aprons must be worn at all times during the lab.

  5. The lab is equipped with an eyewash and safety shower for use in an emergency.

Lab Equipment

• 1. Report all broken, chipped or cracked glassware to the teacher.  It is unsafe to use.

  2. Broken glass must be placed in a designated container, NOT in the garbage can.

  3. If equipment is not working, stop, turn it off, and ask the teacher for help.

Lab Fires

• 1. Tell the teacher immediately if a lab fire erupts and follow their directions.

  2. To extinguish a fire, you must know where the extinguisher is and how to operate it.

  3. Use the fire blanket to put out a fire in a person’s hair or clothing.

Heating Precautions

• 1. Never reach across an open flame to pick up or move something.

  2. Always assume equipment is hot.

  3. Do not leave a Bunsen burner or hot plate unattended during lab.

  4. Do not pour or use flammable materials, like alcohol, near an open flame.

  5. When heating a solution in a test tube, point the open end away from all people.

  6. After heating, wait until glassware is cool before picking it up and handling it.

Spill Procedures

• 1. Tell the teacher about all chemical spills so that they can be handled correctly.

  2. Spilled materials can cause accidents and must be cleaned up immediately.

  3. If a chemical is splashed on you or your clothing, wash at once with plenty of water.

  4. Neutralize spilled acid with sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) before cleanup.

  5. Neutralize spilled base with dilute acetic acid (vinegar) before cleanup.

  6. Allow spilled alcohol to evaporate after telling the teacher.

  7. Place towels or rags used to clean up flammable liquids or solids in the fume hood.