LAB SAFETY Section 1.3 c Biology Mrs. Baldessari

Objectives: Identify and locate laboratory safety devices in the classroom. Demonstrate proper/safe laboratory procedures. Identify and know the function of various laboratory equipment. Demonstrate proper laboratory techniques.

Introduction Safety in the laboratory should be first and foremost Accidents in a laboratory may have the potential of resulting in serious consequences. Common laboratory accidents include cuts, burns, and the inhalation of volatile fumes. The occurrence of each of these accidents, and others, can be minimized if simple safety precautions are followed.

When to wear goggles and aprons? If using chemicals and flames

Personal Safety: Goggles NO!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!

THINK! Accidents in the lab can be prevented! You are the most likely cause of an accident!

When you first enter the lab… A. Go to lab and start experiments B. try out your own experiments while you wait C. read the lab and wait for the teacher’s instructions D. go pick up chemicals and practice the lab ANSWER: C

Read Lab First Read the experimental procedure ahead of lab.

Disposing of Matches The match should be quenched with water, NOT thrown into the waste crock directly. Fires may occur.

No Horseplay

What should I wear in the lab… if I am going to work with glassware? Goggles

Closed Toed Shoes The Safety Code of most schools will not approve of open foot ware; so avoid sandals or flip-flops

NO FLOPPIES Avoid floppy garments; avoid things that dangle Avoid long, loose hair styles for the same reason. When Bunsen burners are in use, long hair sometimes catches on fire

Where’s the Safety Equipment? Fire Extinguishers Fire Blanket Eye-wash Fountain First-Aid Kit  

Fire Safety Small fires can be extinguished by covering them with a container, such as a beaker, to eliminate oxygen. Moderately sized fires require the use of a fire extinguisher. Large fires require the evacuation of the building and notifying the fire department. If your clothing catches fire, the best extinguisher is water from the safety shower. If a safety shower is not available, you can fall to the floor and cover yourself with a fire blanket. Make sure you are aware of the location of the safety shower and fire blanket prior to performing any experiments. Synthetic clothing fibers melt during combustion and produce hot liquids that stick to the skin. It is best to wear natural fibers, such as cotton, for fire safety when working in the laboratory.

Fire Extinguishers the carbon dioxide extinguisher is red AVOID using a dry-chemical extinguisher on a fellow human being. the carbon dioxide extinguisher is red general purpose extinguishers.

Fire Extinguisher Pull Pin Aim

Fire Extinguisher Squeeze the handle to begin operation.

Fire Blanket Wrap it around the victim to smother the fire.

EYEWASH

EYE WASH If you get something from the lab in your eye— GET IT OUT IMMEDIATELY! Run some water through the eyewash fountain before you use it. Retract your eyelid (hold it open); Don’t squint—this restricts water access. Run fresh water over your eye for 20 minutes. Go to the school nurse immediately afterward.

First Aid Kit    These items may be used temporarily for small injuries (say, a cut finger) Go to the school nurse immediately afterward. Do not wait until the end of the day.

First Aid Kit However, if blood is in evidence-- STAY AWAY! Let the victim apply his/her own bandage. If blood is on the floor or lab bench, let trained personnel do the clean-up.

FUME HOOD Use the HOOD for reactions that give off vapors, especially smelly vapors. The draft of the HOOD will sweep away vapors so that the lab itself maintains reasonable air quality

Safety Shower Shower should be used for dire EMERGENCY only! If you (or a lab mate) is spilled chemicals, position yourself (or your lab mate) under the safety shower.

Safety Shower Pull the handle—a deluge of water will result.

Safety Shower The safety shower should also be used if you suffer a massive spill of a dangerous chemical on yourself, and need to get it off rapidly.

Broken Glass Sweep it up right away Don’t track in it all period.

Broken Glass Place the broken glass in a crock.

If you need to leave the lab table to go to the bathroom, A. Be sure someone is watching your lab station B. shut off the gas valve and electrical equipment

Is it OK to… A. eat in the lab B. put your head in the fume hood C. chew gum in the lab D. drink in the lab E. have horseplay in the lab ANSWER: NO

What is the first aid step to do if you… Cut your finger Your clothing caught on fire You burned your finger Mercury ran out of a thermometer Don’t touch it Stop drop and roll Run it under cold water Clean the wound, then use a band-aid

All living organisms should be handled with… RESPECT That means do not throw things into their homes. Do not tap on the aquaria. Do not throw them on other students.

What should you bring back with you to the lab? A. Book Bag B. Something to write with C. Lab sheet D. Biology Book E. Lunch ANSWER: B and C

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!! No UNAUTHORIZED experiments! These are terrible dangers in unskilled hands.

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No EATING or DRINKING in the LAB. A good practice is to assume everything in the lab is toxic.  

No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DO NOT drink from lab equipment. NOT EVEN distilled water.

Pipets NO When using pipets, DO NOT suck the liquid into the pipet directly by mouth.

Pipets YES DO use a rubber bulb to create a vacuum.  

When to use the beaker tongs?

Should you use glassware that is… Chipped Dirty Cracked ANSWER? NO

Testing of Odors Do NOT smell the flask directly.  

Wafting YES If you absolutely must test the odor, carefully waft the vapor from the flask toward your nose with your hand. Keep the flask quite distant from your face.  

HOT GLASSWARE Remember NOT to hand the red-hot glass to another person, especially the teacher.

Heating Test Tubes Make sure that reaction tubes, e.g. test tubes, are not directed toward yourself or other persons. The chemicals may splatter out the tube.  

Aim away from you and all people! Heating Test Tubes Aim away from you and all people!

Water to Acids NO DO NOT add WATER to CONCENTRATED ACID. The heat generated may cause splattering.

Do as you ought’a - add Acids to waoughta (water) DO add ACID to WATER instead of the reverse order of addition. The heat generated will be less, but splattering still may occur.

Working Safely in Biology Remember you are responsible for your own safety as well as that of your teacher, classmates, and any live animals you handle.

Working Safely in Biology Scientists working in a laboratory or in the field are trained to use safe procedures. Laboratory work may involve contact with dangerous materials or organisms.

Working Safely in Biology Follow safe practices. Study the safety rules. Read all the steps and safety precautions. Follow your teacher’s instructions and textbook directions exactly. If in doubt, ask your teacher for an explanation. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after every scientific activity.

Practice Quizzes Lab safety practice test Chemistry (and Biology) Safety Quiz

1. What best describes what a student should wear in the lab? a. Apron, closed toe shoes, goggles b. Just goggles c. Baggie clothes

2. It is the responsibility of the student to... a. Come prepared for the lab b. Clean up all equipment and the lab table before the class is over c. Participate in the experiment d. All of the above

3. Which is permitted in the lab? a. your lab instructions, lab book, and writing utensil b. your lunch, Mrs. B said it was ok c. your bottle of water

4. Where should you dispose of broken glass a. in the box by the teachers desk b. in any trash can c. in the sink d. in the lab drawer

5. If you splash a chemical in your eye, you should a. rinse immediately with water at the eye wash station, then go to the nurse b. pat it dry with your sleeve, then rinse at your sink, then the eye wash station c. tell Mrs. B and then go to the nurse d. tell your lab partner

6. The proper way to detect the odor of a chemical is to a. waft- create a draft by waving your hand b. place your nose 2 inches away c. pour it in your hands and then smell it d. shake the container to release the vapors

7. It is ok use glassware that is: a. dirty b. cracked c. chipped d. clean and dry and crack or chip free

8. Your lab partner just left to go to the bathroom, and you need additional supplies. You should a. Go ahead and get what you need b. Wait for your lab partner to return, so that items are not left unattended  

9. All living organisms must be handled a. with respect and only with Mrs. B's permission b. with a stick and glove c. only by the teacher  

10. Burned your finger on hot glass a. use the eye-wash station b. use a band-aid c. rinse with cold water d. use a fire extinguisher

11. Your clothing caught on fire a. use the eye wash station b. stop drop and roll/use fire blanket c. rinse with cold water d. use a fire extinguisher

12. Your lab directions catch on fire a. use the eye wash station b. stop drop and roll/use fire blanket c. watch them burn d. use a fire extinguisher or fire blanket

13. You cut your finger a. use the eye-wash station b. use a band-aid c. rinse with cold water d. use a fire extinguisher

14. Your eyes are red and feeling irritated a. use the eye-wash station b. use a band-aid c. rinse with cold water d. use a fire extinguisher

15. When done using a match a. throw it in the bucket near Mrs. B's desk b. quench it with water, then throw it in the bucket near Mrs. B's desk c. quench it with water and then throw it in the sink, Mrs. B loves to clean d. leave it on the lab table until class is over

16. If a friend gets cut and is bleeding a. help them immediately b. stay away, and let the friend apply his/her own bandage and trained personnel clean up the blood

17. The most common accidents in the Biology lab are: a. fires b. slipping and falling c. cuts and burns  

18. The fastest way to be removed from the lab is/are: a. horseplay b. not wearing goggles c. opening the chemistry drawers and playing with the equipment d. all of the above