Your guide to staying safe in the lab Science Safety Primer Your guide to staying safe in the lab

Read the Instructions FIRST! Be sure that you understand each lab before you begin If you have questions or are not sure how to handle a chemical or complete a lab ASK FOR HELP! Better safe than sorry!!

Clean up all messes IMMEDIATELY! This is not time to act like a pig. Your lab area should be clear of clutter and debris when you start and spotless when you complete a lab. If someone else left a mess, clean it up before you begin.

Organize your lab All of the equipment has a specific place where it is stored. Follow directions and learn how and where everything goes If you put the materials and equipment back in their proper place the next lab group will be able to find them.

Handle Chemical Properly If poisonous compound or material is used or created any time during the lab activity the instructions will clearly notify you. Be sure to handle and dispose of chemicals carefully. Read the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) Avoid breathing or coming into contact with these substances, as they may be easily absorbed through the skin and mucus membranes. MOST IMPORTANT: GLOVES AND GOGGLES!

Practice Good Fire Safety Skills If there is a fire in the room, notify your teacher! (assuming they haven’t figured it out already ) If for any reason you should be on fire, stop, drop and roll. Don’t run! Be sure you know where to find the fire safety blanket, fire extinguisher, exits and the safety shower!

Fire Blankets Fire blankets can be used to smother a fire. They are made of a fire retardant material You can wrap it around a person and then push them to the ground and roll them around, painful perhaps, but they won’t be a toasted marshmallow! The fire blankets in the science labs are in a RED box that says FIRE BLANKET.

Fire Extinguisher A fire extinguisher is a pressurized can of carbon dioxide The fire extinguishers in the science labs are located near an exit.

Protect your skin ~ WEAR GLOVES! It is good to always wear protective gloves when you work with chemicals During lab we use safe, household chemicals if we use any at all, but if you happen to spill something on your skin tell the teacher immediately! Flush the area with water for 15 minutes The teacher will send you to the nurse and she may recommend you see your doctor.

Save your nosehairs ~ WAFT! If you need to smell a chemical to identify it as part of a lab, hold it 6 to 10 inches from your nose. Wave your hand over the opening of the container and “waft” the fumes toward your nose This will keep you from getting a nose bleed, or your lungs from getting a chemical burn, not to mention those nosehairs!

Wear Goggles! You must protect those baby blues, or greens or browns! If you wear glasses you may wear them instead, BUT if you don’t wear glasses, you MUST wear our beautiful designer goggles!

Eye Wash Stations Our labs have an eye wash station (it looks like a drinking fountain) The Eye Wash works much in the same way as a drinking fountain If you need to use it, be sure to let the water run for a minute, it can get yucky and rusty water won’t make your eye any better!

Eye First Aid Remove the goggles, contacts and/or glasses. Flush the eye for 10 to 15 minutes You will be sent to the nurse who will determine if you need further treatment

Clothing Protection Wear the latest in fashionable science clothing other wise known as the plastic lab apron It will keep those lovely dress code clothes sparkling clean and hole free!

Lose the Comedy Routine Horseplay can lead to injuries to your classmates. Chemicals maybe spilled accidentally Know where emergency shut off is located!

No Eating During Lab It is not a good idea to eat or drink when working on a lab. The nice thing for us, you can’t eat or drink outside the cafeteria.

In Case of Classroom Emergency… Procedures for my classroom Nurse’s office Call button Evacuate to Mrs. Sheet’s room