1. Some rules are made to be broken. Lab safety rules are not.
Chemistry Lab Safety
Some rules are made to be broken.
Lab safety rules are not.

2. Before Entering the Lab…
Never work alone or without teacher supervision.
Read the procedure.
Understand the hazards of the chemicals being used.
Locate all safety equipment.
Dress appropriately.
Obtain goggles and aprons.
What if a fire drill occurs during lab?

3. Safety Equipment Eyewash Shower Fire blanket Fire extinguishers
First Aid kit
Emergency gas shutoff
Fire alarm
Goggles
Aprons
Dust pan and brush

4. Entering the Lab Wear your goggles and apron.
Secure all loose hair and clothing.
Leave your books and binders at your desks.
Food, drinks, and gum are prohibited in the lab.
Only take the lab procedure, a calculator (if needed), and a pen/pencil to the lab stations.

5. Protect Your Eyes! Always wear goggles.
Avoid wearing contacts (if possible) on laboratory days.
Contact Demonstration
Acid in the Eye Demonstration

6. Protect Your Eyes!

7. Protect Your Hair! Long hair must be tied.
Hair spray contains flammable liquids.
Flammable Vapor Demonstration

8. Protect Your Skin and Clothes!
Always wear your apron.
Chemicals can stain your clothes or worse burn a hole through them.
Sock Demonstration
Lab Apron Demonstration

9. Protect Your Skin and Clothes!
Katie Piper, an aspiring British model, was attacked by a complete stranger. The stranger threw a coffee cup of sulfuric acid on her face in March Her face was swollen. Her skin peeled off. Parts of her nose and ears were missing. She swallowed some of the acid causing permanent damage to her respiratory system.

10. Protect Your Feet!
Flip-flops, open sandals, and bare feet are not permitted in the lab.
Wear closed-toe shoes in the lab.

11. Protect Your Neighbors!
Never engage in horseplay!
Be aware of your surroundings.
Never leave a flame unattended.
Keep your area clean and neat.
Alert the teacher and your lab partners immediately of any spills or broken glass.

12. Handling Flammable Liquids
Never heat flammable liquids with an open flame. Use a hot plate or hot water bath.
Whoosh Bottle Gone Bad Video

13. Handling Acids Wear gloves (if desired) to protect your skin.
Practice “AA” – Add acid to water.
Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) reacts very vigorously with water, in a highly exothermic reaction. If you add water to concentrated sulfuric acid, it can boil and spit and you may get a nasty acid burn.

14. Heating Objects Check all glassware for cracks before heating.
Point test tubes towards the wall when heating.
HOT GLASS LOOKS COLD!
Do not subject hot glassware to cold water or a cold lab bench.
Hot Glass in Cold Water Video

15. Handling Broken Glass
Inform your teacher of cracked or broken glassware.
Dispose of cracked or broken glassware in a designated box, not the trash.
Do not handle the broken glass
with your bare hands.
Use the broom and dust pan.

16. Something Smells Never directly smell, inhale, or consume a chemical.
Waft.

17. After Finishing the Lab…
Clean and organize your lab bench. Ensure the gas valve is closed and any hot plate is off.
Dispose of all chemicals according to the teacher’s instructions.
Wash and dry all glassware.
Return all safety equipment (i.e. goggles and aprons).
Wash your hands with soap and water.
Move to the classroom to work on calculations and questions.

18. Here’s to a safe year in Chemistry!