Safety Accidents in the lab can be prevented: –Stop to think!. –Common sense will help, if exercised –What will be the consequences of what I do next? –If in doubt, ask the teacher. The following scenes graphically illustrate some difficulties as well as downright dangers that you could face in lab, mostly due to failure to observe ordinary safety precautions, and common sense.

Goggles Many states require by law that students wear approved safety goggles or safety glasses when in the lab. This is an absolute "MUST"!

The following is not acceptable Wear your goggles the correct way!

Proper attire: Avoid floppy garments; avoid things that dangle »These get tangled up in equipment or glassware and cause accidents Avoid long, loose hair styles for the same reason. When Bunsen burners are in use, long hair sometimes catches on fire Avoid wearing open footware; so avoid sandals, flip- flops, etc.

Safety Equipment –Fire Extinguishers –Fire Blanket –Eye-wash Fountain –First-Aid Kit

Fire Extinguisher Operation There are two main types of fire extinguishers, carbon dioxide dry chemical (powder) Often, but not always, they carry different colors. In this case the carbon dioxide extinguisher is red, and the dry-chemical (powder) extinguisher is yellow. Read the tag to know which you will use. The tag also should show the date the extinguisher was last serviced.

USAGE: Locate the "KEY" (the round object) Twist the "KEY" to break the stiff Nylon retaining cord then pull "KEY" out Do not merely attempt to pull the key straight out.

–Raise the nozzle in order to direct the stream of carbon dioxide The CO2 will cool the fire, and restrict oxygen The fire, lacking oxygen, should go out.

Squeeze the handle to begin operation.

Fire Blanket –Yank the blanket out of the wall holder. –Wrap it around the victim to smother the fire.

Eyewash Fountain 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 several 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. If someone is bleeding- STAY AWAY! Let the teacher apply the bandage and handle the the clean-up.

Safety Shower Shower should be used for dire EMERGENCY only! If you (or a lab mate) SPILLS A DANGEROUS CHEMICAL all over and need to get it off rapidly (probably not something you are likely to encounter in junior high). or you are ON FIRE, position yourself (or your lab mate) under the safety shower.

Pull the handle—a deluge of water will result.

Oops!

–Place the broken glass in a "SHARP’S CONTAINER. This is a thick walled carton, that will be sealed and discarded as such. –If such a container is not available, a milk carton is an acceptable substitute.

Student Use of the Laboratory No UNAUTHORIZED experiments! These are terrible dangers in unskilled hands.

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

DO NOT drink from lab equipment. NOT EVEN distilled water.

You do not know what another person might have added to the "distilled water" jug

TESTING of ODORS: Do NOT smell the flask directly

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.

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

A better technique:

DO NOT add WATER to CONCENTRATED ACID. The heat generated may cause splattering. Your school probably will not allow you to use concentrated acids anyway, so keep this info in mind for future reference.

DO add ACID to WATER instead The heat generated will be less, but splattering still may occur. A good practice in all lab operations is to keep things at arm’s length.

Avoid Horseplay In a laboratory setting, horseplay, even if good- natured, is absolutely unacceptable. No pushing; no shoving. No pulling or fighting over equipment.

At the end of the lab period: Exit the lab in an orderly manner. Again: no running, no pushing, no shoving.

Have a Safe Year!

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