“Never trust an atom; they make up everything.” 

Safety in Biological Sciences Laboratories It is important to remember and comply with these safety instructions. Students not working according to these precautions may be asked to leave the lab.

General Safety Precautions Protective clothing: All students must wear a lab coat during lab sessions or apron. Gloves will be available if required. (Wear goggles if risk of splash. )

General Precautions It is important to wash hands thoroughly before leaving the lab or if you have spilled on your hands. Best way to prevent spread of infectious disease and cross contamination from lab to other areas or persons

General Precautions Spills Report all spills to the teacher, whether they are on the bench, floor, equipment or on your person. Very important to notify if anything is spilled so appropriate cleanup can occur. (acids or bases need to be neutralized to avoid burning others, solvents may cause fires if a burner is lit etc.)

General Safety Precautions Disposal Ensure you have disposed of wastes in appropriate containers. (Ask your teacher) Ensure broken non contaminated glassware is disposed of in proper containers. Important to dispose of properly to avoid injury or spread of disease to others who cleanup the lab

General Safety Precautions No eating or drinking in the lab. Suitable footwear: no open toes or heels. Keep fingers and objects away from your mouth and eyes. Important to report injures so proper medical action is taken if required Fingers pens etc near eyes may result is spread of biohazardous or chemical bench contaminants to eyes or mouth Food is to be eaten in hallways

General Safety Precautions Familiarize yourself with the location and proper use of the following: Safety showers Fire extinguishers Eye wash stations Fire alarms Electrical shutoff (not in all rooms) Familiarize yourself with the procedure for emergency drill, evacuation and meeting area outside. Demonstrate or explain proper procedure for use and where each is located

WHMIS Hazard Classifications Class A: Compressed Gas Class B: Flammable & Combustible Class C: Oxidizing Material Class D: Poisonous & Infectious Material Compressed gas any gas in tanks, oxygen, carbon dioxide Flammable, alcohol, other solvents Oxidizing material reactive with other chemicals perchloric acid Poisonous and infectious materials Skull and crossbones division 1: materials causing immediate and serious toxic effects (sodium cyanide) Division 2 (“T”) materials causing other toxic effects These can cause severe immediate reactions or life threatening long term health effects such as immediate eye or skin irritation, allergic sensitization, cancer, reproductive problems (xylene, asbestos) Division 3 biohazardous infectious materials (bacterial cultures or specimens such as blood that may contain potentially dangerous bacteria or viruses

WHMIS Hazard Classifications Class E: Corrosive Material Class F: Dangerously Reactive Material Corrosive example acids Dangerously reactive sodium

Lab materials

Activity