Lab Safety Rules Expectations for all lab activities

General Rules Follow all written and verbal instructions carefully If you don’t understand something, ask your instructor before proceeding Never work in the lab without the teacher present

General Rules When 1 st entering the science room, DON’T touch ANY equipment, chemicals or other materials for lab until instructed to do so Students are never permitted in the science storage rooms or preparation areas

General Rules No food No drinks No gum Never use laboratory glassware as containers for food or beverages

General Rules Only perform experiments authorized by your instructor Never do anything in the lab that is not called for in the procedures or by your instructor Unauthorized experiments are prohibited

General Rules Never fool around in the lab Horseplay, practical jokes, and pranks are dangerous and prohibited There are no “warnings” Any misbehavior will result in being removed from lab and receiving zero points for that lab

General Rules Keep work areas clean and tidy Leave your backpack and any unnecessary materials at your desk Keep aisles clear. Push your chair in when not in use

General Rules Know the location of safety equipment Know the procedure for a fire alarm

General Rules Never pour chemicals down the sink unless told by your instructor Dispose of chemicals in the proper waste receptacle

General Rules Keep hands away from face, eyes, mouth and body when using chemicals or preserved specimens Wash your hands with soap and water after ALL experiments

General Rules Experiments must be personally monitored at all times You will be assigned a lab station Do not wander to other stations, disturb other students, or interfere with other students’ lab experiments

General Rules Handle all living organisms in a humane manner Preserved biological materials are to be treated with respect and disposed of properly

General Rules When using knives and other sharp instruments, always carry with tips and points pointing down and away Always cut away from your body

General Rules Dress properly for lab activities Long hair must be tied back Dangling jewelry or baggy clothing must be removed Wear shoes that cover as much of your feet as possible

Accidents and Injuries Report ANY accident to the instructor immediately, no matter how trivial it may appear If a chemical splashes on your skin, flush with running water If it gets in your eyes, flush with water using the eye wash station

Handling Chemicals All chemicals in the lab are to be considered dangerous Don’t touch, smell, or taste any chemicals unless specifically instructed to do so When instructed to smell a chemical, waft the smell towards you. Don’t smell the chemical directly

Handling Chemicals Always double check the label on chemical bottles before removing any of the chemical Take only as much as you need Never return unused chemicals to their original containers Never remove chemicals or other materials from the lab

Handling Equipment/Glassware Never handle broken glass with your bare hands Use a brush and dustpan to clean up broken glass Place broken glass in the designated glass disposal container

Handling Equipment/Glassware Never use chipped, cracked or dirty glassware Do not immerse hot glassware in cold water as it may shatter If you don’t understand how to use a piece of equipment, ask the instructor for help

Heating Substances Exercise extreme caution when using a gas burner Never leave a lit burner unattended Never leave anything that is being heated or is visibly reacting unattended Turn off burner or hot plate when not in use

Heating Substances You will be instructed in proper methods of heating/boiling liquids in test tubes Never point the open end of a test tube being heated at yourself or others Never look into a container that is being heated

Heating Substances Heated metals and glass remain very hot for a long time They should be set to cool and picked up with caution Use tongs or heat-protective gloves if necessary