Lab Safety

Why is Lab Safety Important? Lab safety is a major aspect of every lab based science class. Lab safety rules and symbols are needed so that students do not injure themselves or their classmates.

II. GENERAL RULES Conduct yourself in a RESPONSIBLE manner at all times in the laboratory. Follow all written and verbal instructions carefully. If you do not understand a direction or part of a procedure, ask the instructor before proceeding. Never work alone. No student may work in the laboratory without an instructor present. When first entering a science room, do not touch any equipment, chemicals, or other materials in the laboratory area until you are instructed to do so. Do not eat food, drink beverages, or chew gum in the laboratory. Do not use laboratory glassware as containers for food or beverages. Perform only those experiments authorized by the instructor. Never do any thing in the laboratory that is not called for in the laboratory procedures or by your instructor. Carefully follow all instructions, both written and oral. Unauthorized experiments are prohibited.

YOU CLEAN IT!! Be prepared for your work in the laboratory. Read all procedures thoroughly BEFORE entering the laboratory. Never fool around in the laboratory. Horseplay, practical jokes, and pranks are dangerous and prohibited. Observe good housekeeping practices. Work areas should be kept clean and tidy at all times. YOUR MOTHER IS NOT HERE TO CLEAN UP YOUR MESS- YOU MAKE IT, YOU CLEAN IT!! N/A Know what to do if there is a fire drill during a laboratory period

What is he doing in this cartoon??? Double Checking… hint hint! When using knives and other sharp instruments, always carry with tips and points pointing down and away. Always cut away from your body. Never try to catch falling sharp instruments ….. DUH! Grasp sharp instruments only by the handles. If you have a medical condition (e.g., allergies, pregnancy, etc.), check with your physician prior to working in lab. What is he doing in this cartoon??? Double Checking… hint hint!

III. CLOTHING Any time chemicals, heat, or glassware are used, students will wear laboratory goggles. There will be no exceptions to this rule! Contact lenses should not be worn in the laboratory unless you have permission from your instructor. Dress properly during a laboratory activity. Long hair, dangling jewelry, and loose or baggy clothing are a hazard in the laboratory. Long hair must be tied back and dangling jewelry and loose or baggy clothing must be secured. Shoes must completely cover the foot. No sandals allowed. N/A

IV. ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES Report any accident (spill, breakage, etc.) or injury (cut, burn, etc.) to the instructor immediately, no matter how trivial it may appear. If you or your lab partner are hurt, immediately yell out "Code one, Code one" to get the instructor's attention. Seriously…. Just let me know  If a chemical splashes in your eye(s) or on your skin, immediately flush with running water from the eyewash station or safety shower for at least 20 minutes. Notify the instructor immediately. N/A

V. HANDLING CHEMICALS All chemicals in the laboratory are to be considered dangerous. Do not touch, taste, or smell any chemicals unless specifically instructed to do so. Check the label on chemical bottles twice before removing any of the contents. Take only as much chemical as you need. Never return unused chemicals to their original containers. N/A Acids must be handled with extreme care. Always add acid to water, swirl or stir the solution and be careful of the heat produced, particularly with sulfuric acid. Handle flammable hazardous liquids over a pan to contain spills. Never dispense flammable liquids anywhere near an open flame or heat source. Never remove chemicals or other materials from the laboratory area. Take great care when transporting acids and other chemicals from one part of the laboratory to another. Hold them securely and walk carefully.

Fill wash bottles only with distilled water. VI. HANDLING GLASSWARE AND EQUIPMENT Carry glass tubing, especially long pieces, in a vertical position to minimize the likelihood of breakage and injury. Never handle broken glass with your bare hands. Use a brush and dustpan to clean up broken glass. Place broken or waste glassware in the designated glass disposal container. N/A Fill wash bottles only with distilled water. When removing an electrical plug from its socket, grasp the plug, not the electrical cord. Hands must be completely dry before touching an electrical switch, plug, or outlet. Examine glassware before each use. Never use chipped or cracked glassware. Never use dirty glassware. Report damaged electrical equipment immediately. Look for things such as frayed cords, exposed wires, and loose connections. Do not use damaged electrical equipment. If you do not understand how to use a piece of equipment, ask the instructor for help. Do not immerse hot glassware in cold water; it may shatter.

VII. HEATING SUBSTANCES Exercise extreme caution when using a gas burner. Take care that hair, clothing and hands are a safe distance from the flame at all times. Do not put any substance into the flame unless specifically instructed to do so. Never reach over an exposed flame. Light gas (or alcohol) burners only as instructed by the teacher. Never leave a lit burner unattended. Never leave anything that is being heated or is visibly reacting unattended. Always turn the burner or hot plate off when not in use. You will be instructed in the proper method of heating and boiling liquids. Do not point the open end of a test tube being heated at yourself or anyone else. Heated metals and glass remain very hot for a long time. Never look into a container that is being heated. N/A NA Hot and cold glass have the same visual appearance. Determine if an object is hot by bringing the back of your hand close to it prior to grasping it.

Lab Safety Equipment Eye Wash Safety Goggles

Lab Safety Equipment Fire Extinguisher Fire Blanket

T. Trimpe 2008 http://sciencespot.net/ What's Wrong? Lab Safety Challenge #1 T. Trimpe 2008 http://sciencespot.net/

Image: http://morrisonlabs.com/lab_safety.htm What’s wrong? Identify 6 different safety concerns shown in the picture below. Image: http://morrisonlabs.com/lab_safety.htm

The answers are … Don’t fool around during a lab. Always wear safety goggles when doing an experiment Always point test tubes and other items away from yourself and others when heating. Don’t eat or drink while in the lab. Keep hair and other flammable objects away from flames. Don’t leave a flame unattended. Image: http://morrisonlabs.com/lab_safety.htm

T. Trimpe 2008 http://sciencespot.net/ What's Wrong? Lab Safety Challenge #2 T. Trimpe 2008 http://sciencespot.net/

Image: http://morrisonlabs.com/lab_safety.htm What’s wrong? Identify 9 different safety concerns shown in the picture below. Image: http://morrisonlabs.com/lab_safety.htm

The answers are … Always wear safety goggles during a lab. Don’t smell directly from a container - WAFT. Don’t heat closed containers. Keep your lab area neat and clean. Don’t place lab materials near the edge of the table. Keep papers and other flammable objects away from flames. Unplug equipment when not in use. Don’t leave materials laying on the floor. Clean up spills immediately Image: http://morrisonlabs.com/lab_safety.htm

True / False Lab Safety Questions… 1. All chemicals that are harmless when cool will be harmless when heated. 2. No experiments that cause harm to animals should be done in the lab. 3. When mixing acid and water, you want to pour the water into the acid. 4. The fire extinguisher is by the window. 5. Eye protection is not needed in the science laboratory. 6. It is necessary to tie long hair back in the laboratory. 7. It is never appropriate to handle equipment unless you have permission. FALSE TRUE FALSE FALSE FALSE TRUE TRUE

TRUE FALSE FALSE TRUE TRUE FALSE TRUE 8. Never eat or drink from laboratory glassware. 9. It is appropriate to heat a liquid in a closed container. 10. If you do not understand laboratory directions, you must ask your lab partner for clarification. 11. If a spill occurs in the laboratory, you must notify the teacher. 12. It is never alright to eat in the laboratory. 13. It is appropriate to taste harmless substances (water, cornstarch etc.) in the lab. 14. Students are responsible for cleaning their laboratory areas when the lab is finished. TRUE FALSE FALSE TRUE TRUE FALSE TRUE

FALSE TRUE FALSE FALSE FALSE TRUE 15. Always point a test tube that is being heated towards your partner. 16. When using scalpels or razor blades, cut the material away from you and others. 17. All chemicals must be heated in a closed container. 18. When using flame, keep your lanyard on. 19. Never report accidents to the teacher- they are all your fault and you will get in HUGE trouble! 20. Never mix chemicals for the “fun of it”! FALSE TRUE FALSE FALSE FALSE TRUE

SAFETY REVIEW BEFORE the SAFETY QUEST

REVIEW: Accidents and Injuries Report ALL accidents and injuries to your teacher immediately!!! Be aware of safety hazards associated with each chemical you use. Eye accident – Wash the eye with copious amounts of water for at least 15 min. Fire Burns – Stop, Drop, and be covered with a fire blanket or soaked with water. Do not remove clothing stuck to victim. Get medical attention immediately.

REVIEW: Waste Disposal First ask your teacher where/how to dispose of waste. Never pour anything down the drain unless you are told to do so. A waste bottle will be supplied for substance that cannot go down the drain

REVIEW: Clothing Wear: Do NOT Wear: Goggles/safety glasses Closed-toed shoes Clothing made of natural based fiber such as cotton Tie back long hair Do NOT Wear: Sandals Jewelry Loose or Baggy clothing

COMMON LAB SAFETY SYMBOLS Glassware Heat Eye and Face Sharps Electrical Animal Chemical Fire

Other Chemical Hazards and Symbols Flammable Explosive Toxic/Poison Irritant Corrosive Environmental

Chemical Hazard Symbols and Definitions Flammable – Any substance that will burn if exposed to an open flame. Explosive – A substance that may explode if exposed to heat or flame.

Chemical Hazard Symbols and Definitions Toxic/Poison – A substance that can lead to death if inhaled, ingested, or absorbed by the skin. Corrosive – A substance that can destroy or burn living tissue and can eat away at other materials.

Chemical Hazard Symbols and Definitions Irritant - A substance that causes inflammation upon contact with skin or mucous membranes. Environmental - Substances that are harmful to the environment. They must be disposed of properly, not washed down the drain.