1. Laboratory Safety Rules
© Amy Brown – Science Stuff

2. The following lab rules must be observed at all times.
General Safety in the Laboratory
The following lab rules must be observed at all times.
Wear laboratory aprons and safety glasses when instructed. Safety goggles should be worn any time you are working with an open flame, chemical substances, or using glassware. Safety aprons should be worn when working with any chemicals.
No rough play (running, throwing) of any kind will be tolerated. Conduct yourself in a responsible manner at all times. Horseplay, practical jokes, and pranks are dangerous and prohibited.

3. BE SAFE! Rule Never work alone in the laboratory.
When first entering the lab, do not touch any equipment, chemicals, or other materials in the lab area until you are instructed to do so.
Only the books, notebooks, pens, etc. needed for the lab should be in the lab. All other items (purses, backpacks, jackets, etc) should not be brought to class. If they are brought to class, they must be left in the designated area.
BE SAFE!

4. No food or drink is allowed in the lab. Do not chew gum.
Never perform unauthorized experiments. Directions must be followed exactly as stated in the lab handouts or by the teacher.
Shoes must be worn in the laboratory.
Avoid wearing loose fitting clothing.
Remove any dangling jewelry.
No food or drink is allowed in the lab. Do not chew gum.

5. Never drink from laboratory glassware.
Never mix, touch, taste, heat, or inhale chemicals unless you are told to do so.
Never drink from laboratory glassware.

6. Read each experiment before beginning, and note any cautions or hazards described. Make sure that you understand the procedure before beginning the lab. If you don't understand exactly what you are supposed to be doing, ASK THE TEACHER FIRST!!!
Report all accidents to the instructor no matter how minor.
Report any spills to the teacher immediately so that they may be cleaned up in the proper manner.

7. What are the three main safety rules when working with open flames?
Wear safety goggles!
Secure loose clothing!
Tie back long hair!

8. Do not use chipped, cracked, or broken glassware.
Do not let electrical cords dangle from work stations. This can cause you to trip or to drag the equipment off the lab bench.
Be sure all gas jets, electrical connections, and water faucets are turned off at the end of the lab period.

9. Wash your hands with soap and water before leaving the lab.
To avoid contamination, never return unused chemicals to their original containers. Unused chemicals should be disposed of properly.

10. Safety Equipment
These are the safety features of our lab. You must know the location and the proper use of each:
Eyewash Fountain
Emergency Safety Shower
Fire Extinguisher
Fire Blanket
Fire Alarm

11. Eyewash Fountain
In case of eye contact, go to the eyewash station and flush eyes with running water for at least 15 minutes.
The eyelids should be held open, rotating the eyes as much as possible so water can flow on all surfaces, and in the folds surrounding the eyeballs to insure removal of the chemical.
Contact lenses should be removed immediately if possible.

12. EmergencySafetyShower
The safety shower should be used in case of chemical spills to the body or if clothing catches fire. Begin use of the shower as soon as possible. Simply stand under the shower and pull the handle. Remove contaminated clothing while in the shower. Remain in the shower for a minimum of 15 minutes.
Shower
Eyewash

13. Fire Extinguisher
P Most fire extinguishers have a safety Pin. Remove the safety pin
A Aim the nozzle.
S Squeeze the trigger
S Sweep the nozzle over the fire

14. Fire Blanket Fire Alarm In most cases, simply pull down the handle.
Use the fire blanket if clothing catches fire. The blanket should be spread on the floor so that the person whose clothing or hair is on fire can wrap it around the body while rolling. It can also be used to throw over a small fire on the lab table.
In most cases, simply pull down the handle.

15. Safety with Heat
Safety goggles will be worn whenever chemicals, heat, or glassware are in use.
In case of fire, use the fire extinguisher. Safety fire blankets can be used to extinguish a fire on a person. However, a safety shower is preferable to a safety blanket for extinguishing a fire on a person. A shower extinguishes the fire faster than a blanket does and a blanket holds in heat.

16. In case of fire, turn off all gas outlets and unplug all appliances.
When heating glassware, make sure that it is heat resistant.
When heating test tubes, point the mouth of the test tube away from all persons.

17. Never reach across a flame.
Keep all books, paper, hair, etc., away from open flames.
Tie back long hair and loose fitting clothing whenever an open flame is being used.
Never heat a liquid in a
closed container.

18. Know where the fire alarm is and how to use it.
Know how to exit in case of a fire.

19. Safety with Chemicals
Safety goggles will be worn whenever chemicals, heat, or glassware are used.
Always wear a laboratory apron to protect your body.
Use only the chemicals you have been instructed to use.
Where are your safety goggles???

20. Never mix chemicals unless you have been told to do so.
Never taste, touch or smell chemicals unless you are told to do so. If you are instructed to note the odor, gently wave your hand over the opening of the container and direct the flumes toward your nose.

21. Never pour water into an acid. ALWAYS POUR THE ACID INTO THE WATER.
Dispose of all chemicals as instructed by your teacher.
If chemicals are splashed or spilled on your hands, immediately rinse with cold running water. For bigger spills involving clothing, use the safety shower.
Never pour water into an acid. ALWAYS POUR THE ACID INTO THE WATER.

22. Never eat or drink from laboratory glassware.
Glassware Safety
Never force glass tubing into a rubber stopper. A turning motion and a lubricant will be helpful when inserting glass tubing into rubber stoppers.
Never eat or drink from laboratory glassware.
Hot glassware will not appear to be hot. Never pick up glassware without first checking to see if it is hot.
Never use chipped or broken glassware.

23. Safety Symbols Eye Hazard Laboratory Apron Chemical Safety
Meaning of Symbol
Safety Rules
Eye Hazard
Wear safety goggles.
Laboratory Apron
Wear a lab apron to protect your skin and clothing.
Do not touch chemicals. Rinse immediately if chemical comes into contact with skin or clothing. Do not inhale chemical. Keep hands away from face.
Chemical Safety

24. Fire Hazard Breakage Hazard Electrical Hazard Animal Safety Symbol
Meaning of Symbol
Safety Rules
Tie back hair and loose clothing. Do not use burner near flammable materials. Always point the test tube away from your self and others.
Fire Hazard
Breakage Hazard
Handle breakables with care. Do not use chipped or cracked glassware.
Use care when using electrical equipment. Never use electrical equipment around water or when your hands or equipment is wet. Do not let electrical cords dangle from work station. Unplug electrical equipment when not in use.
Electrical Hazard
Animal Safety
Treat live animals with care. Wash hands when finished handling live animals.

25. In case of a chemical spilled on the skin, wash with lots of water
In case of a chemical spilled on the skin, wash with lots of water. Know the location of the safety shower.
In case of fainting or dizziness, provide the person with fresh air. Have the person lie down so that the head is lower than the body.
In case of thermal burns, immediately place the burned area under cold running water. Greases and oils should not be placed on burned skin. Notify your teacher immediately if you are burned.

26. In case of chemicals splashed in the eyes, the eye will have to be flushed with water for 15 minutes at the eye wash station. Know how to work the eye wash station.
In case of minor cuts, wash with soap and water, and treat with items in the first aid kit.
IN ALL CASES, THE TEACHER MUST BE NOTIFIED IMMEDIATELY. DO NOT TRY TO HIDE AN ACCIDENT.

27. SITUATION SAFE RESPONSE
Burns
Fainting
Fire
Eye Injury
Minor Cuts
Poisoning
Spills on Skin
Immediately flush with cold water until the burning stops.
Provide fresh air. Move the person so that the head is lower than the rest of the body. Loosen tight clothing. If breathing stops, use CPR.
Turn off all gas outlets. Unplug all appliances. Use a fire blanket or fire extinguisher to smother the fire.
Immediately flush the eye with running water. Remove contact lenses. Do not allow eye to be rubbed if a foreign object is present in the eye.
Allow to bleed briefly. Apply slight pressure. Wash with soap and water.
Note what substance was responsible. Alert teacher immediately.
Flush with water. Use safety shower if the situation requires it.

28. End of Class Procedures
Turn off the water and gas. Disconnect electrical devices.
Return all materials to their proper places.
Dispose of all chemicals according to your teacher’s instructions.
Clean your work area.
Wash your hands with soap and water.

30. The “Hazard Diamond”

31. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
Provides information specifically for the chemical:
Fire and Explosions Hazard data
Health Hazard Data
Reactivity
Spill or Leak Procedures
Special Protection Info
And any Special Precautions to take in handling and storing the chemical.
Required to be kept in an easily visible location so emergency personnel have access in case of an emergency.