Laboratory Safety Rules
Laboratory investigations are designed to give you a "hands-on" knowledge of
science.
However, any lab-science course has certain potential dangers.
An
experiment may require you to handle dangerous chemicals, live animals, or pieces of
equipment that can cause injury if handled improperly.
Most of these are easily
coped with if the teacher and the student exercise careful planning and develop
good safety habits.
Laboratory accidents do not just happen.
Carelessness and
apathy toward safety are the major causes of accidents.
General Safety in the Laboratory
The following lab rules must be observed at all times.
1.
Safety goggles should be worn any time you are working with an open flame, chemical substances, or
using a mechanical device.
2.
No rough play (running, throwing) of any kind will be tolerated.
Conduct yourself in a responsible
manner at all times.
3.
Never work alone in the laboratory.
4.
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.
5.
Be aware of the space you are performing your experiment in!
gives permission.
6.
iPads are only allowed if Mrs. Lopatka
Any extra items not required in the experiment should NOT be on the table.
Never perform unauthorized experiments.
Directions must be followed exactly as stated in the lab
handouts or by the teacher.
7.
Shoes must be worn in the laboratory.
Avoid wearing loose fitting clothing.
8.
No food or drink is allowed in the lab.
9.
Never drink from laboratory glassware.
Remove any dangling jewelry.
Do not chew gum.
Never mix, touch, taste, heat, or inhale chemicals unless you
are told to do so.
10.
Read each experiment before beginning, and note any cautions or hazards described.
you understand the procedure before beginning the lab.
Make sure that
If you don't understand exactly what you are
supposed to be doing, ASK THE TEACHER FIRST!!!
11.
Report any spills to the teacher immediately so that they may be cleaned up in the proper manner.
12.
Report all accidents to Mrs. Lopakta no matter how minor.
13.
When using an open flame: tie back long hair, role up loose sleeves and wear safety goggles.
14.
Do not use chipped, cracked, or broken glassware.
15.
Do not let electrical cords dangle from work stations.
This can cause you to trip or to drag the
equipment off the lab bench.
16.
Be sure all gas jets, electrical connections, and water faucets are turned off at the end of the lab
period.
17.
Wash your hands with soap and water before leaving the lab.
18.
To avoid contamination, never return unused chemicals to their original containers.
Unused chemicals
should be disposed of properly.
Safety Equipment:
Know the location and proper use of all safety equipment:
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
1 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.
Fire Extinguisher:
Most fire extinguishers have a safety pin.
Remove the safety pin and squeeze the
handle to discharge the extinguisher.
Fire Alarm:
In most cases, simply pull down the handle. The fire alarm is located in the front of the
classroom next to the EXIT.
Safety with Heat
1.
Safety goggles will be worn whenever chemicals or open flames are in use.
2.
In case of fire, use the fire extinguisher.
Your first instinct will be to run!
For clothing that catches on fire, STOP, DROP, and ROLL!
Please do not do that, you are only adding oxygen to the fire.
Smother
the fire out by rolling on the ground. After the fire is extinguished, run any exposed body part under
cool water.
3.
When heating glassware, make sure that the glass is heat resistant.
4.
When heating test tubes, point the mouth of the test tube away from all persons.
5.
Never reach across a flame.
6.
Keep all books, paper, hair, etc., away from open flames.
7.
Tie back long hair and loose fitting clothing whenever an open flame is being used.
8.
Never heat a liquid in a closed container.
9.
Know where the fire alarm is and how to use it.
10.
Know how to exit in case of a fire.
Safety with Chemicals
1.
Safety goggles will be worn whenever chemicals or open flames are in use.
2.
Use only the chemicals you have been instructed to use.
3.
Never mix chemicals unless you have been told to do so.
4.
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.
5.
Never pour water into an acid.
ALWAYS POUR THE ACID INTO THE WATER.
6.
Dispose of all chemicals as instructed by your teacher.
7.
If chemicals are splashed or spilled on your hands, immediately rinse with cold running water.
For bigger
spills involving clothing, use the safety shower.
Glassware Safety
1.
Never force glass tubing into a rubber stopper.
A turning motion and a lubricant will be helpful when
inserting glass tubing into rubber stoppers.
2.
Hot glassware will not appear to be hot.
Never pick up glassware without first checking to see if it is
hot.
3.
Never use chipped or broken glassware.
4.
Never eat or drink from laboratory glassware.
5.
Do not attempt to clean up broken glass on your own!
Please stay away from the area and get the
teacher to clean up.
Handling Living Organisms
1.
Never cause pain, discomfort or harm to a living organism used in an experiment.
2 2.
Treat all living things with care and respect.
3.
Do not touch any plant or animal in the lab unless directed to do so.
4.
Treat all microorganisms as if they were harmful.
5.
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water if you have handled any living organisms.
Use aseptic techniques as directed by your teacher.
Safety Symbols
These are some common safety symbols that often appear in experiments.
When you see these symbols,
you must follow the appropriate safety rules.
Eye Hazard
Wear safety goggles.
Chemical Safety
Do not touch chemicals.
Rinse immediately if chemical comes
into contact with skin or clothing.
Do not inhale chemicals.
Keep hands away from face.
Fire Hazard
Tie back hair and loose clothing.
flammable materials.
Do not use a burner near
Always point the test tube away from
your self and others.
Breakage Hazard
Handle breakables with care.
Do not use chipped or cracked
glassware.
Electrical Hazard
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 a work station.
Unplug electrical equipment when not in use.
Animal Safety
Treat all animals with care.
creation.
We are called to respect God’s
Wash hands when finished handling all organisms.
First Aid
1.
In case of thermal burns, immediately place the burned area under cold running water.
should not be placed on burned skin.
2.
Greases and oils
Notify your teacher immediately if you are burned.
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.
3.
In case of a chemical spilled on the skin, wash with lots of water.
4.
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.
3 5.
In case of minor cuts, wash with soap and water, and treat with items in the first aid kit.
6.
IN ALL CASES, THE TEACHER MUST BE NOTIFIED IMMEDIATELY.
First Aid Basics and Review:
DO NOT TRY TO HIDE AN ACCIDENT.
Fill in the chart below with the appropriate response to the situation.
SITUATION
SAFE REPONSE
Burns
Immediately flush with cold water until the burning stops.
Fainting
Provide fresh air.
body.
Fire
Move the person so that the head is lower than the rest of the
Loosen tight clothing.
Turn off all gas outlets.
If breathing stops, use CPR.
Unplug all appliances.
Use a fire blanket or fire extinguisher
to smother the fire.
Eye Injury
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.
Minor Cuts
Allow to bleed briefly.
Poisoning
Note what substance was responsible.
Apply slight pressure.
Spills on Skin
Flush with water.
Wash with soap and water.
Alert teacher immediately.
Use safety shower if the situation requires it.
End of Class Procedures
1.
Turn off the water and disconnect electrical devices.
2.
Return all materials to their proper places.
3.
Dispose of all chemicals according to your teacher’s instructions.
4.
Clean your work area.
5.
Wash your hands with soap and water.
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