Laboratory Safety Rules OR: How to get out of this class alive.

1. When entering a science room, do not touch any equipment, chemicals, or other materials in the classroom or laboratory area until you are instructed to do so. Gather your paperwork (science notebook, handouts) and sit in your assigned seat.

2. Be alert and proceed with caution at all times in the laboratory. Report any accident (spill, breakage, etc.) or injury (cut, burn, etc.) to the instructor immediately, no matter how trivial it may appear. Notify the instructor immediately of any unsafe conditions you observe.

If you or your lab partner is hurt, immediately yell out “Code one, Code one” to get the instructor’s attention. If a chemical splashes in your eye(s) or on your skin, immediately flush with running water from the eyewash station or safety shower for at least 20 minutes. Notify the instructor immediately.

3. Know the locations and operating procedures of all safety materials and equipment including goggles, lab aprons, the eyewash station, safety shower, fire extinguisher, and fire blanket.

Know where the fire alarm and the exits are located. Know the evacuation plan in the event of a fire. If there is a fire drill during a laboratory period, quickly turn off any electrical equipment you have, extinguish any flames, and cover any open containers.

4. Be prepared for your work in the laboratory. Read all procedures thoroughly BEFORE entering the laboratory. Carefully follow all instructions, both written and verbal. Labels and equipment instructions must be read carefully before use. Set up and use the prescribed apparatus as directed in the laboratory instructions or by your instructor.

Listen carefully during the pre-lab instructions. Your teacher will let you know what lab materials are needed and will address specific safety concerns for that specific lab. It is important that you listen actively in order to be safe. Students who are not attentive during pre-lab WILL NOT be allowed to conduct the lab. Respond immediately to directives from the teacher. If your teacher tells you to do something during lab, do it IMMEDIATELY.

Perform only those experiments authorized by the instructor. Do NOT make up your own experiment.

Your teacher may also suggest or require the use of lab aprons and/or gloves for particular labs. 5. Wear laboratory goggles any time laboratory chemicals, heat, or glassware are used. It is the law! If the lab requires goggles and aprons, keep them on at all times, until ALL lab materials are cleaned up.

6. Keep aisles clear. When you leave your classroom seat to work in the laboratory area, place your backpack under your desk or on the seat. Do not allow it to block the aisle.

7. Personally monitor your experiments at all times. You will be assigned a lab station at which to work and must stay there. You should only communicate with your team members and the teacher during lab. Do not wander around the room, distract other students, or interfere with the laboratory experiments of others. Do not mess with any materials that are not specifically involved in your lab. Stay out of lab drawers and cabinets.

Never work alone. No student may work in the laboratory without an instructor present. Students are not permitted in the chemistry stockroom.

8. Conduct yourself in a responsible manner at all times in the classroom / laboratory. Never fool around in the laboratory. Horseplay, practical jokes, and pranks are dangerous and therefore prohibited. –Keep your hands to yourself. Honor other people’s personal space. –Throwing stuff is NEVER allowed – even if you are throwing paper towards a trash can.

9. Handle chemicals carefully. Keep hands away from face, eyes, mouth and body while using chemicals. Wash your hands with soap and water after contact with laboratory chemicals.

Do not eat food, drink beverages, or chew gum in the laboratory. You may not have any food or beverage containers in the lab area. Do not use laboratory glassware as containers for food or beverages. Do not taste anything in the lab.

10. Use good housekeeping practices throughout the lab. Keep your work areas clean and tidy at all times. Bring only your laboratory instructions, worksheets, and/or reports to the work area. Leave other materials (books, purses, backpacks, etc.) in the classroom area – under the desk or on your classroom seat desk - NOT in the aisles.

–Clean all work surfaces at the end of the experiment. Return all equipment clean and in working order to its location at the beginning of the lab. –Dispose of all waste properly. Sinks are to be used only for water and those solutions designated by the instructor. Other chemical waste should be disposed of in the designated areas. –Do NOT remove any chemicals or lab equipment from the classroom.

Sinks should be clean and free of any solids before leaving lab. Paper towels, solid chemicals, metals, matches, filter paper, and all other insoluble materials are to be disposed of in the proper waste containers, not in the sink.

More Specific Safety Rules

H. Examine glassware before each use. Never use chipped or cracked glassware. Do not use dirty glassware. I. Do not handle broken glass with your bare hands. Use a brush and dustpan to clean up broken glass. Place broken or waste glassware in a designated glass disposal container.

L. Report damaged electrical equipment immediately. Look for things such as frayed cords, exposed wires, and loose connections. Do not use damaged electrical equipment. When removing an electrical plug from its socket, grasp the plug, not the electrical cord. Hands must be completely dry before touching an electrical switch, plug, or outlet.

M. Exercise extreme caution when using a gas burner. N. Take care that hair, clothing and hands are a safe distance from the flame at all times. Students with long hair need to tie it back. Your teacher has hair ties for this purpose. Do not put any substance into the flame unless specifically instructed to do so. Never reach over an exposed flame.

Q. Never aim chemicals toward your face or anyone else’s.

B. If the teacher says a chemical is safe to smell, gently fan the chemical towards your face. Don’t “sniff” the chemicals.