Safety in the Science Laboratory Chapter 1 Section 5

Essential Questions: 1.Why is preparation important when carrying out scientific investigations in the lab and in the field? 2.What should you do if an accident occurs?

Good preparation helps you stay safe when doing science activities in the laboratory.

Safety In the Lab Three steps are involved in lab safety: 1.Preparing for the lab 2.Performing the lab 3.End-of-lab procedures

Preparing for the lab  This should begin the day BEFORE you do the lab  Read through the procedure carefully, insuring you understand all directions  Review the general safety guidelines in Appendix A  If anything is unclear, ask your teacher before the lab begins

Performing the Lab  During a lab, your chief concern must be the safety of yourself, your classmates, and your teacher.  The most important safety rule:  Always follow your teacher’s instructions and the textbook directions exactly. (Don’t try anything on your own without asking your teacher first.)

Performing the Lab (continued):  Know and understand safety symbols associated with the lab  Keep your work area clean and organized  Do not engage in horseplay  Never eat or drink in the lab

End-of-Lab Procedures:  Clean up your work area  Turn off and unplug any equipment and return it to the correct place  Dispose of waste materials properly:  Some go in the trash  Some go down the drain  Some need special handling  Wash your hands thoroughly

Safety in the Field  “The field” is anywhere outside your regular classroom or lab. (Ex: playground, forest, park, beach)  Because of unknown conditions, preparing for field work is much more difficult

You could encounter:  Severe weather  Traffic  Wild animals  Poisonous plants  Prepare for these as much as possible (by listening to weather reports, dressing appropriately, etc)

During field work, ALWAYS:  Tell an adult where you will be  Never work alone  Ask an adult or classmate to accompany you

In Case of an Accident  Always notify your teacher immediately – no matter how minor the accident seems.  Listen to the teacher’s directions and carry them out quickly.  Know the location and proper use of safety equipment

First Aid  BurnsImmerse burns in cold water  CutsCover cuts with a clean dressing. Apply direct pressure to the wound to stop bleeding.  Spills on SkinFlush the skin with large amounts of water.  Foreign Object in EyeFlush the eye with large amounts of water. Seek medical attention.

Dressing for labs  Wear close toed shoes  Try not to wear contacts  Wear clothes that fit and are not extremely loose  Wear long pants  Wear an apron  Tie back long hair  Don’t wear jewelry

Heat and Fire Safety  Use an oven mitt to pick up a container that has been heated  Do not put cold water in or on glass that has been heated (it could shatter)

Chemical Safety  Never put your face near the mouth of a container that holds chemicals. If you need to smell it, waive your hand over the container and direct some of the aroma to your nose  Never touch, taste, or smell a chemical unless your teacher tells you to  Dispose of chemicals as instructed by your teacher  Never mix chemicals unless instructed to do so by your teacher – this can kill you.

Glassware Safety  Never handle broken or chipped glass with your bare hands. Notify the teacher that it is chipped or broken

Sharp Instrument Safety  Handle sharp instruments with extreme care  Never cut material toward you; always cut away from you

Safety Symbols This is only a partial list!

Clothing Protection  Secure loose clothing and remove dangling jewelry. Do not wear open-toed shoes or sandals in the lab.  Wear an apron or lab coat to protect your clothing when working with chemicals.  If a spill gets on your clothing, rinse it immediately with water for at least five minutes while notifying your instructor.

Electrical Safety  Do not place electrical cords in walking areas.  Do not let cords hang over a table edge such that equipment will fall if the cord is pulled.  Do not use equipment that has damaged cords.  Be sure that the power switch for a piece of equipment is in the off position before plugging the equipment in.  Never use an electrical appliance when you are near water or when your hands are wet.  Be sure to turn off and unplug electrical equipment when you are finished using it.

Eye Protection  Wear safety goggles when working around chemicals, acids, bases, flames, or heating devices. Contents under pressure may become projectiles and may cause serious injury.  Never look directly at the sun through any optical device or use direct sunlight to illuminate a microscope.  Avoid wearing contact lenses in the lab.  If any substance gets in your eyes, notify your instructor immediately and flush your eyes with running water for at least 15 minutes.

Waste Disposal  Clean and decontaminate all work surfaces and personal protective equipment as directed by your instructor.  Dispose broken glass, contaminated sharp objects, and contaminated materials (biological and chemical) in special containers as directed by your instructor.

Sharp Objects  Be extremely careful when using knives and other sharp instruments.  Place objects on a suitable work surface for cutting. Never cut toward your hand.  Never use a double- edged razor in the lab.

Plant Safety  Do not eat any part of a plant or plant seed used in the lab.  Wash hands thoroughly after handling any part of a plant.  When outdoors, do not pick any wild plants unless your teacher instructs you to do so.

Heating Safety  Avoid wearing hair spray or hair gel on lab days.  Whenever possible, use an electric hot plate as a heat a source instead of using an open flame.  When heating materials in a test tube, always angle the test tube away from yourself and others.  Make sure that glass containers used for heating are made of heat-resistant glass.  Know your school’s fire- evacuation routes.

Quiz 1.What should you do to prepare for a lab? a.Read the procedures for the first time as you begin the lab b.Read the procedures the day before you do the lab c.Only read the procedures if you can’t think of anything to do with the equipment you’ve been given

Quiz 2.During a lab, you should a.Mix all ingredients together to see what you get b.Follow all directions given by the teacher exactly and do only those things c.Read the lab directions for the first time

Quiz continued 3.After the lab is complete, you should a. Throw away all materials and return to your seat b. Return to your seat immediately c. Clean up your area, put away all materials, and throw away only the items the teacher instructs you to

Quiz continued 4.True or False If an emergency happens, the first thing to do is notify your teacher immediately.