Lab Safety Symbols

Always wear to protect your eyes from chemicals, flames or heating, or broken glassware.

Safety Goggles

Never use electrical equipment around water, or when your hands or equipment is wet. Untangle cords. Do not use electrical equipment if cords are damaged.

Electric Shock

When poisonous or unpleasant vapors may be involved, work in a ventilated area. Avoid inhaling vapors directly. Only test an odor when directed to do so by your teacher, and use a wafting motion to direct vapors towards your nose.

Fumes

Wear a laboratory apron to protect your skin and clothing from danger.

Lab Apron

Take precautions to avoid injuring yourself or others. Follow instructions from your teacher. Alert your teacher if there is any reason you should not participate in the lab.

Physical Safety

Chemicals and other laboratory materials used in the activity must be disposed of safely.

Disposal

You are working with materials that may be breakable, such as glass containers, glass tubing, thermometers, or funnels. Handle breakable materials with care. Do not touch broken glassware!

Breakage

Wash your hands thoroughly when finished with the activity. Use antibacterial soap and warm water.

Hand Washing

Handle plants only as directed. Let the teacher know if you are allergic to certain plants. Do NOT touch harmful plants like: poison ivy, poison oak, or plants with thorns. Wash your hands when finished.

Plant Safety

Use an oven mitt or other hand protection when handling hot materials. Hot plates, hot glassware, or hot water can cause burns. Do NOT touch hot objects with your bare hands!

Heat-resistant Gloves

Treat live animals with care to avoid harming the animals or yourself. Working with animal parts or preserved animals also may require caution. Wash your hands when you are finished.

Animal Safety

Pointed-tip scissors, scalpels, knives, needles, pins, or tacks are sharp. They can cut or puncture your skin. Always direct a sharp edge or point away from people. Use sharp instruments only as directed!

Sharp Objects

Some chemicals used can cause burns or are poisonous if absorbed through the skin. Do not inhale the vapors. Wash your hands when done!

Corrosive Chemicals

Care should be taken around open flames from a lab burner, candle, or matches. Tie back loose hair and clothing. Follow teacher directions carefully!

Flames

Do not let any poisonous chemicals come in contact with your skin, and do not inhale vapors. Wash your hands when done.

Poison

Flammable materials may be present. An open flame could cause a fire or an explosion. Make sure there are no flames, sparks, or other exposed heat sources present.

NO Flames

Use clamps or tongs to pick up hot glassware. Do not touch hot objects with your bare hands.

Heating

None of the other symbols appear. Follow the specific instructions given. Used when you are asked to design your own experiment – get approval first!

General Safety Awareness