Laboratory Safety

The Basics Always think about what you are doing. Follow directions. Ask questions when you don’t understand something. Don’t assume. Keep food, drink, and gum out of the lab. Keep areas clean and neat. Know the safety equipment.

The Proper Attire Wear long pants and closed-toe shoes. Wear goggles. Tie back long hair.

Safety Shower and Eye Wash Only teachers should operate the safety shower and eye wash station. Always tell me if there is any injury, no matter how minor. Use the safety shower and eye wash station for at least 20 minutes for chemical splashes and spills.

Chemicals Handle all chemicals with care. Never taste chemicals. Check labels. Do not return unused chemicals. Transport chemicals carefully and only when necessary.

Glassware If your glassware breaks, let me know and I will clean it up. Check glassware for chips and cracks before using it. Do not immediately cool glassware that has been heated.

Heating Make sure to light burners when the gas is on. Do not leave lit burners unattended. Be careful with long hair and loose clothing around burners. Use tongs to remove heated glassware.

Scenario Greta goes to the fume hood to get the solutions for the lab. She picks up an unlabeled bottle and pours 10 ml of it into a beaker. She then adds 10 ml of a labeled solution. She walks back to her lab station, puts on her goggles, and begins heating up her solution. After she finishes heating the solution, she places the beaker directly on the cold lab bench.

Assignment In groups of two to three, write four laboratory scenarios. Each lab scenario should include four safe practices and four unsafe practices. Please vary them. Write five questions, short answer or multiple choice, about laboratory safety.