Lab Safety Chemistry

Why Lab safety? It is a part of your laboratory experience. Many substances can be dangerous if handled improperly Lab equipment can cause injury if handled improperly.

Clothing in the lab Wear Safety Goggles at all times. Avoid loose-fitting clothing. No food or gum. Pin or tie hair back. Pour acid slowly into water. Wash hands before and after the lab. Maintain good conduct in the lab. Report all accidents to the teacher.

The Laboratory Burner Never leave a flame unattended Do not stand over the burner when lighting Adjust the settings until a blue flame is obtained Do not use a burner near flammable materials Flush any burn with water

Working with Glassware Never used chipped or cracked glass Wash all glassware before and after use Never grab hot glassware without tongs or rubber gloves. Do not heat the bottom of a test tube Point a test tube away from people when heating Heat only in glassware labeled Pyrex or Kimex Discard broken glass in appropriate container (not the trash)

Situations and Safe Responses Burns Fainting Fire Fire on person Eye injury Poisoning Spills on skin Flush with cold water Provide fresh air Turn off gas/unplug Fire blanket/shower Remove contacts, flush with water Call teacher Flush with water

Working With Chemicals Always read the label on the reagent bottle Always wear goggles Never touch chemicals with your hands Never return unused chemicals to the original container Do not take excessive amounts of reagents

Using a Balance Make sure the balance pan is clean Make sure balance is zeroed Never place chemicals directly on pan, use a weighing dish Do not mass anything that is hot When finished, make sure balance is clean

Measuring Volume It is always better to use a smallest instrument possible Measure a liquid from the bottom of the curve (meniscus) Measure the meniscus at eye level

Increasing Accuracy Beaker/Flask Graduated Cylinder Graduated Pipet Volumetric Pipet Buret

Using a Hot Plate Use a hot plate whenever a flammable liquid is present Never place the electric cord in/over a walk area Never grab a freshly used hot plate Do not use close to a sink

Glass Tubing: Cutting Place the tubing on a flat surface Hold tubing tightly with one hand Using a firm stroke, make a single deep scratch with the cutting tool Grasp tubing with both hands with the scratch away from you Place both thumbs between the scratch Push firmly with the thumbs and pull with your fingers, the glass should break

Glass Tubing: Fire Polishing After cutting the tubing, the glass should be fire polished to make it safe to handle Rotate one end of the tube in the hottest part of the burner flame (top of middle blue cone) Do not hold it in the fire to long, or the end will close Allow to air cool, do not place in water When cooled, polish the other end

Glass Tubing: Inserting into rubber stopper Use gloves Lubricate glass tubing on one end Ease the tubing into the hole with a gentle twisting motion Wipe excess lubricant from the tubing before using If needed, remove tubing immediately after the experiment

Pouring Liquids Use back of finger to remove the stopper Grasp the container with the palm of your hand The container should be held at eye level Pour liquids slowly When pouring into a beaker, pour slowly down a stirring rod Pour over a lab sink