SAFETY IN THE LABORATORY
Successful work in the science laboratory involves not only mastery of scientific concepts and techniques, but also knowing: Introduction What the safety requirements are, What equipment is available, and When and how to use each piece of equipment. What the safety requirements are, What equipment is available, and When and how to use each piece of equipment.
Personal Safety Requirements
NO FOOD or DRINK items should be taken into the laboratory. In addition to not eating nor drinking nor smoking in the laboratory, each person working in a laboratory needs to observe ALL RELEVANT SAFETY REGULATIONS. NO FOOD or DRINK items should be taken into the laboratory. In addition to not eating nor drinking nor smoking in the laboratory, each person working in a laboratory needs to observe ALL RELEVANT SAFETY REGULATIONS.
Proper Clothing Wearing correct attire is essential to help avoid laboratory accidents. Floppy sleeves should be avoided. Shoes that cover the entire foot are required. Shorts are not acceptable in the laboratory, unless you wear a lab coat. Long hair should be tied back. Lab coats are required when working with chemicals. All backpacks, book bags, and coats should be left in Hale ‘Imiloa NOT ON THE LAB BENCHES. Wearing correct attire is essential to help avoid laboratory accidents. Floppy sleeves should be avoided. Shoes that cover the entire foot are required. Shorts are not acceptable in the laboratory, unless you wear a lab coat. Long hair should be tied back. Lab coats are required when working with chemicals. All backpacks, book bags, and coats should be left in Hale ‘Imiloa NOT ON THE LAB BENCHES.
Eye Protection
Whenever anyone is working with chemicals or apparatus in the laboratory, safety goggles are required for ALL persons in the laboratory. In the University of Hawai‘i laboratories, these must be goggles, not glasses. They must meet flammability and chemical resistance requirements. They should not have any type of open perforations. Safer to wear glasses than contact lenses, even while wearing goggles. Whenever anyone is working with chemicals or apparatus in the laboratory, safety goggles are required for ALL persons in the laboratory. In the University of Hawai‘i laboratories, these must be goggles, not glasses. They must meet flammability and chemical resistance requirements. They should not have any type of open perforations. Safer to wear glasses than contact lenses, even while wearing goggles.
Proper Clothing Avoid floppy clothing! Avoid floppy clothing! Tie back loose hair! Tie back loose hair! Store belongings out of the way! Store belongings out of the way!
Gloves Whenever handling corrosive or toxic materials, protective gloves should be worn. Whenever handling corrosive or toxic materials, protective gloves should be worn.
Gloves Whenever handling corrosive or toxic materials, protective gloves should be worn. Gloves made of vinyl, latex, and nitrile are available. Be sure to wear the proper type of glove for the specific chemical hazards encountered in each experimental situation. Gloves should never be worn outside the lab. Whenever handling corrosive or toxic materials, protective gloves should be worn. Gloves made of vinyl, latex, and nitrile are available. Be sure to wear the proper type of glove for the specific chemical hazards encountered in each experimental situation. Gloves should never be worn outside the lab.
Handling Chemicals Treat all chemicals as though they were hazardous. Do not mouth-pipette any chemical. Do not ingest, inhale, touch any chemical. Treat all chemicals as though they were hazardous. Do not mouth-pipette any chemical. Do not ingest, inhale, touch any chemical.
Material Safety Data Sheets MSDS information for chemicals should be available in the laboratory.
Handling Organisms All organisms, living or dead, should be treated with care and respect. Some organisms may be hazardous if touched or ingested. Avoid direct handling when possible. Proper handling of microorganisms will be demonstrated. All organisms, living or dead, should be treated with care and respect. Some organisms may be hazardous if touched or ingested. Avoid direct handling when possible. Proper handling of microorganisms will be demonstrated.
Handling Equipment The safe use of specific equipment and tools (e.g., microscopes, slides, scalpels, and pipettes) will be demonstrated by the instructor during the laboratory sessions. Students should be sure they understand this usage. The safe use of specific equipment and tools (e.g., microscopes, slides, scalpels, and pipettes) will be demonstrated by the instructor during the laboratory sessions. Students should be sure they understand this usage.
Lab Safety Equipment In case of an emergency, you should know the location and proper use of all the safety equipment provided in the laboratory. Always immediately inform the instructor of any accident. In case of an emergency, you should know the location and proper use of all the safety equipment provided in the laboratory. Always immediately inform the instructor of any accident.
Small Fire
Fire Extinguishers (1) Aim nozzle at base of fire. (1) Aim nozzle at base of fire. (3) Squeeze handles. (3) Squeeze handles. (2) Pull out locking key. (2) Pull out locking key.
Fire Extinguishers Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers are suitable for many of the potential fire hazards in the general chemistry laboratories. To operate this type of fire extinguisher, aim the nozzle at the base of the fire, pull out the locking key and depress the handles together. This will release a discharge of carbon dioxide that will smother the fire. Always inform the instructor of the use of a fire extinguisher so that it can be recharged. Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers are suitable for many of the potential fire hazards in the general chemistry laboratories. To operate this type of fire extinguisher, aim the nozzle at the base of the fire, pull out the locking key and depress the handles together. This will release a discharge of carbon dioxide that will smother the fire. Always inform the instructor of the use of a fire extinguisher so that it can be recharged.
Large Fire Vacate the building immediately. Pull fire alarms along the way. Meet in the pre-defined gathering place. Vacate the building immediately. Pull fire alarms along the way. Meet in the pre-defined gathering place.
Safety Eyewash Any chemical contacting one’s eyes should be immediately and thoroughly rinsed out using the safety eyewash found in every laboratory.
Push handle to start the flow of water! Push handle to start the flow of water! Position head between spigots. Position head between spigots.
Safety Eyewash Call for assistance to get to the eye wash station. Position the head with eyes open between the spigots. Push the handle to start the flow of water. Flush for at least 15 minutes. Call for assistance to get to the eye wash station. Position the head with eyes open between the spigots. Push the handle to start the flow of water. Flush for at least 15 minutes.
Safety Shower Any chemical spill on a person should be washed off immediately and thoroughly using the safety shower. Pull the chain to start the flow of water! Pull the chain to start the flow of water!
Safety Shower Remove all contaminated clothing and stand under the shower. Pull the chain to start the flow of water. Washing should continue long enough to insure complete removal of the chemical, at least minutes. Remove all contaminated clothing and stand under the shower. Pull the chain to start the flow of water. Washing should continue long enough to insure complete removal of the chemical, at least minutes. Any chemical spill on a person should be washed off immediately and thoroughly using the safety shower. Any chemical spill on a person should be washed off immediately and thoroughly using the safety shower.
Chemical Spills Located on lab benches are containers of sodium bicarbonate to neutralize acid spills. These work by covering the spill of acid with a solid. Contact your instructor immediately if there is a chemical spill. Your instructor will handle any and all chemical spills. Located on lab benches are containers of sodium bicarbonate to neutralize acid spills. These work by covering the spill of acid with a solid. Contact your instructor immediately if there is a chemical spill. Your instructor will handle any and all chemical spills.
Special Caution Handling Glassware Lubricate glass surfaces. Lubricate glass surfaces. Protect hands. NEVER force the glassware! NEVER force the glassware!
Special Caution Handling Glassware Many laboratory accidents involve cuts or puncture wounds due to improper manipulation of glassware. Never force a piece of glassware when constructing experimental apparatus! Use proper hand protection and lubricants such as glycerin or soapy water when possible. Many laboratory accidents involve cuts or puncture wounds due to improper manipulation of glassware. Never force a piece of glassware when constructing experimental apparatus! Use proper hand protection and lubricants such as glycerin or soapy water when possible.
Waste Disposal Discard waste as needed, during and at the end of each laboratory period. Discard waste as needed, during and at the end of each laboratory period.
Waste Disposal Specific guidelines need to be observed for waste disposal and will be given by your teacher. Not Sure? PLEASE ASK!!!! Specific guidelines need to be observed for waste disposal and will be given by your teacher. Not Sure? PLEASE ASK!!!! Waste Basket
Paper Products Waste Basket Paper products that do not contain chemicals can be placed in the waste baskets.
Sharp Waste Disposal Broken glass or single-use glassware should be placed in the broken glassware box after any disposable contents have been removed. Sharp metal waste (razor blades, pins, etc.) should be placed in the “Sharps” disposal container. Used contaminated pipette tips should be disposed of in the appropriate receptacle. Broken glass or single-use glassware should be placed in the broken glassware box after any disposable contents have been removed. Sharp metal waste (razor blades, pins, etc.) should be placed in the “Sharps” disposal container. Used contaminated pipette tips should be disposed of in the appropriate receptacle.
Solid and liquid chemicals need to be placed in appropriate containers. The exact means will be given in the lab procedure or specified by the instructor. Solid and liquid chemicals need to be placed in appropriate containers. The exact means will be given in the lab procedure or specified by the instructor. Solid and Liquid Chemicals Never dump chemicals down the drain! Never return unused chemicals to the original stock bottle!
Biohazardous Waste Organic waste resulting from animal dissection activities should be disposed of in the appropriate receptacle, not the ordinary trash receptacles. Human organic materials (e.g., saliva and blood) and potentially pathogenic microorganisms must be disposed of in such a way as to eliminate any possibility for contamination and the spread of disease. Organic waste resulting from animal dissection activities should be disposed of in the appropriate receptacle, not the ordinary trash receptacles. Human organic materials (e.g., saliva and blood) and potentially pathogenic microorganisms must be disposed of in such a way as to eliminate any possibility for contamination and the spread of disease.
Dispose of wastes properly. Put unused non- waste materials where they belong. Clean counter tops. Always wash your hands thoroughly to remove any potential chemical residues before you leave the lab. Dispose of wastes properly. Put unused non- waste materials where they belong. Clean counter tops. Always wash your hands thoroughly to remove any potential chemical residues before you leave the lab. Cleaning Up