SCIENCE SAFETY NOTES

Prior to conducting any scientific investigation, it is important to consider your safety and the safety of those around you. All labs require MSDS information for the chemicals used (you will look this up online). Most labs require additional safety considerations or comments (e.g.: goggles required, beware of hot glassware).

Before we learn how to extinguish fires, we first need to know a little about how they work. The fire triangle to the right shows the three things that must be present at the same time in order for a fire to occur. Take any of these away and the fire will be extinguished! Fire Safety

1) Assist any person in immediate danger to safety if it poses no danger to yourself 2) Activate the building fire alarm or call ) Only after you have done these two things should you attempt to fight the fire if : You know what is burning (Remember you could make it worse by say throwing water on an electrical or oil fire). The fire is no bigger than a kitchen garbage can. Bigger fires can spread much faster than you could anticipate. You have an escape route that isn’t blocked. Fire Safety- Rules for Fighting Fires

It's easy to remember how to use a fire extinguisher if you can remember the acronym PASS, which stands for: Pull Aim Squeeze Sweep Fire Safety- How to use an extinguisher

Pull the pin. This will allow you to discharge the extinguisher.

Aim at the base of the fire. If you aim at the flames (which is frequently the temptation), the extinguishing agent will fly right through and do no good. You want to hit the fuel. Fire Safety- How to use an extinguisher

Squeeze the top handle or lever. This depresses a button that releases the pressurized extinguishing agent in the extinguisher.

Fire Safety- How to use an extinguisher Sweep from side to side until the fire is completely out. Start using the extinguisher from a safe distance away, then move forward. Once the fire is out, keep an eye on the area in case it re- ignites.

Fire Safety- How to use an extinguisher Remember!!!! Never use a water extinguisher to put out any type of fire except type A. Using one on an electrical fire could electrocute you! Using one on a flammable liquid fire (like gas) will be ineffective and could make it worse.

Stop, Drop and Roll! Fire blankets Quick release cabinets For smothering fire (removing oxygen from triangle). Exits –2–2 – Must be accessible at all times (keep backpacks, etc, out of the way) Gas Outlets – One main shut off in front of the room. Other Fire-related considerations…

And while we are talking HOT… Can you tell if this is too hot to touch? It will stay hot a lot longer than you might think! Hot Plates – Don’t touch until completely cooled off…common burns!

Health, Flammability, and Reactivity Ratings range from 0-4 (it is very rare to see a 4) 0404  A rating of 0 means it poses a very low threat in that category.  A rating of 4 means it poses a VERY high threat in that category.  It is rare in this course to see a rating of 3, but it does happen.

Try these out If you saw a chemical with the following ratings, what would you think? What would you do to make sure you were safe using this chemical? HealthFlammabilityReactivity 010

Try these out If you saw a chemical with the following ratings, what would you think? What would you do to make sure you were safe using this chemical? HealthFlammabilityReactivity 100

Try these out If you saw a chemical with the following ratings, what would you think? What would you do to make sure you were safe using this chemical? HealthFlammabilityReactivity 001

MSDS Information MSDS stands for Material Safety Data Sheet (you may also see SDS for Safety Data Sheet) You will look up MSDS information for every chemical you use in a lab. Before the first lab with chemicals we will spend some time looking at MSDS sheets so you are familiar with them.

Acid is poured into water because… – Risk of splashing – Acid + water is often exothermic (gives off heat), so adding the reactive piece second is safest (less likely to be explosive. GOGGLES! – Worn at all times when using hazardous chemicals and during hazardous activities! – Sanitized between classes.

Eye wash – Must be able to reach within 10 seconds – If chemical gets into your eyes…JUST GO! – Capable of washing both eyes at the same time – Must be flushed 2-3 minutes/week to protect again contamination/infection Must NEVER be used as a drinking fountain. – Flushed continuously for AT LEAST 15 minutes. Lift eyelids away from surface of eyeball.

Contacts pose a greater risk of eye injury when working with chemicals. Chemicals can get trapped between your contact and your eye – at best this may increase the irritation, at worst it may melt the contact to your eye. It is recommended (but not required) that you wear glasses and not contacts during a chemistry lab.

For Fire and Chemical Spills Delivers 20 gallons of water/minute Contaminated clothes must be removed immediately – Class leaves, teacher stays, looking away. – Or Fire Blanket could be used for modesty Lab coats/aprons are made to be taken off… – In case of chemical spill (or fire) that is what should be done first.

What is the main point of wearing safe clothes in the lab? – Minimizing contact between chemicals and skin! You need: – Close toed shoes – Long pants – Shirt that covers your shoulders – Hair, scarves, sweatshirts, jewelry removed or tied back out of the way.

Know where exits are: 2 in front Exits should always be kept clear. Backpacks should stay under desks to prevent tripping and injury if we have to evacuate quickly! Exits

Never stick anything in the outlets- it can remain stuck and cost A LOT of $ to remove. Outlets are off if the valves are perpendicular (at a right angle) to the nozzle. Gas/Air OutletsOFF ON * Gas and Air Master OFF switch is next to whiteboard up front

Electrical Safety Don’t complete the circuit! Don’t be a pathway to the ground. Grounding pins in the plug, help ground the wire and protect Against dangerous current.

First Aid Kit Found in a Red Backpack under the teacher demo station.

Draw a Safety Map On the very last page of your composition book, draw a map of the classroom (use a ruler!) Use up the whole page. Label the following: -Fire extinguisher -Fire blanket -Eye wash -Safety shower -Both exits -Goggle cabinet -Emergency gas shut off switch -Emergency electrical shut off switch -Fume hood -First aid kit

Until the end of class… Answer the safety contract questions, in your composition book, in complete sentences. IF THIS IS NOT COMPLETED IN CLASS, YOU MUST FINISH IT AS HOMEWORK (ON A SEPARATE SHEET OF PAPER) CONTRACT, POWER POINT, AND QUESTIONS ARE ONLINE.