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.
Lab Safety Rules
1. Always follow the teacher’s
directions and only do lab work
when a teacher is present.
2. Conduct yourself in a responsible
manner at all times. No Horseplay!
.
Lab Safety Rules
3. Do not touch any equipment,
chemicals, or other materials
until told to do so.
4. Do not eat food, drink
beverages, or chew gum in the
lab. Do not use lab glassware as
food or beverage containers.
Lab Safety Rules
5. Report ALL accidents to your
teacher immediately, even if you
think it is minor.
6. Follow the lab instructions.
7. Use the appropriate safety
equipment.
Clothing
Wear:
• Goggles/safety
glasses
• Closed-toed
shoes
• Tie back long
hair
Do NOT Wear:
• Sandals
• Jewelry
• Loose or Baggy
clothing
Lab Safety Equipment
Safety Shower
Eye Wash
Safety Goggles
Eye Protection
• Safety goggles should be
worn when using
chemicals or when
pointed objects are being
used.
• Safety goggles can be
used by more than one
person if sterilized
between uses. Goggle
sanitizers are used for this
purpose.
Using Dangerous Materials
 Batteries exhibiting corrosion
should be discarded.
 Never taste or put anything in
your mouth in the science lab.
 Notify a teacher immediately in
the case of a liquid spills.
 Notify a teacher cracked ,
chipped or broken glass.
More Lab Safety Equipment
Fire
Extinguisher
Fire Blanket
Fume Hood
Safety With Heat Sources
• Never touch a hot surface like a hot plate or
boiling water in your classroom.
If something must be heated, follow
instruction and use propoer safety equipment,
• Name some hot surfaces at your house that
should be avoided.
How to Use a Fire
Extinguisher
•
•
•
•
Remove the pin that keeps the handle in place.
Point the nozzle at the base of the fire.
Squeeze the handle.
Move the fire extinguisher side to side as it
discharges, to cover as much area as possible.
• It takes only thirty seconds to discharge the fire
extinguisher so make sure your aim is good.
• Never use a fire extinguisher on a person!
• Locate the “KEY”(The round object)
• Twist the key to remove the stiff nylon
retaining cord.
• Then pull the key out.
• Unless you are very strong you can not pull
the key out without twisting first.
•Raise nozzle in order to direct the stream
of Carbon Dioxide
Squeeze the handle to begin the operation.
How to Use a Fire
Blanket
• Open the container that holds the fire blanket and
remove it.
• Open the blanket up and throw it over the fire.
• Never wrap a person in a fire blanket who is
standing upright. This will cause a chimney
effect. Remember, stop, drop, roll, and cover.
Fire Resistant Lab Tables
Using an Eyewash Station
• If anyone gets chemicals in their eyes,
immediately guide them to the eye
wash station. Do not wait on the
teacher!!
• Remove the caps covering the two
water fountain devices.
• Place the bridge of your nose in
between the two fountains and turn
the water on. This will rinse anything
out of the eyes.
• Keep the eyewash station bacteria free
by running it for five minutes weekly.
(MSDS Sheet)
Materials Safety Data Sheet
A list provided by the supplier which the dangers of the
chemicals in question.
Common Lab
Safety Symbols
•
•
•
•
Glassware
Heat
Eye and Face
Sharps
•
•
•
•
Electrical
Animal
Chemical
Fire
Other Chemical Hazards
and Symbols
• Flammable
• Irritant
• Explosive
• Corrosive
• Toxic/Poison
• 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.
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.
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 asubstance that cannot go
down the drain
Reasons for proper waste
disposal
• Hazardous chemicals down the drain
can lead to pollution of ground water,
lakes, rivers, etc.
• Plants and animals will die if they are
exposed to hazardous chemical waste.
• Serious health problems will become
present in people if hazardous waste
finds its way into drinking water.
Laboratory Materials
Respect lab equipment and work to keep
the science lab neat and in order.