1. General Lab Safety Always wear eye protection Use close-toed shoes
Tie back loose hair/clothing when using flame
Follow instructions carefully
Read the entire procedure before starting
If you don’t understand a step…ask for help
No joking around in the lab, no running
Report spills/broken equipment immediately
Look out for each other

2. Review of Safety Symbols
Stuff you knew but have forgotten…
Image from

3. Safety at HOME - HHPS HHPS stand for:
Household Hazardous Product Symbols
It is used to warn you about safety issues for products used AT HOME.

4. HHPS Symbols – Outer shape
The outer shape tells you how serious the danger is:

5. HHPS Symbols
Be careful when using
products that have
these symbols!

6. Safety at WORK - WHMIS WHMIS stands for:
Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System
It is used to warn you about safety issues for products used AT WORK and SCHOOL.

7. WHMIS Symbols WHMIS symbols are always inside a CIRCLE.
There are EIGHT different symbols.

8. WHMIS – Compressed Gas Compressed Gas is used for gas tanks.
EX: oxygen tank
DO NOT drop!
KEEP AWAY from heat!
STORE carefully!

9. WHMIS – Flammable Flammable is used for things that can burn easily.
EX: gasoline, ethanol
KEEP AWAY from heat!
STORE in a cool, protected
place.

10. WHMIS – Oxidizing
Oxidizing is used for things that can increase the chance of something else burning.
EX: ozone, chlorine
KEEP AWAY from heat!
KEEP AWAY from flammables!
STORE carefully!

11. WHMIS – Poisonous
Poisonous is used for things that can kill you if you swallow, touch, or breathe it in.
EX: cyanide
WEAR protective clothing!
WORK in area with fresh air!
WASH your hands after using!

12. WHMIS – Toxic
Toxic is used for things that can make you sick or kill you after many uses.
EX: mercury
WEAR protective clothing!
WORK in area with fresh air!
WASH your hands after using!

13. WHMIS – Biohazardous
Biohazardous is used for biotic things that can cause disease.
EX: bacteria, viruses, blood
WEAR protective clothing!
WORK in proper area!

14. WHMIS – Corrosive
Corrosive is used for things that can hurt your eyes or skin if you touch it.
EX: acids and bases
WEAR protective clothing!
Inc. gloves, apron, safety goggles

15. WHMIS – Reactive
Reactive is used for things that can react very quickly.
EX: sodium
KEEP AWAY from heat!
HANDLE carefully!
Sodium reaction with water

16. The First Source of Information – Product Supplier Labels
Note the position of the following:
Chemical Name
Safety Precautions

17. Workplace Labels Required when solutions are made in the lab
Have 3 features:
The product name
Hazards and Safety Instructions
Referral to the MSDS
Let’s look at some examples

18. More Detailed info. - MSDS
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
Required in all commercial and educational facilities for all chemical substances (household products exempted)
A current copy must be keep in close proximity to the chemical

19. What is on the MSDS 16 Sections, here are the most important
Section 1: Product and Company Identification
Section 2: Hazards Identification
Section 4: First Aid Measures
Section 6: Accidental Release Measures
Section 7: Handling and Storage
Section 8: Exposure Controls/Personal Protection

20. Lets take a look at a copy
You each have a copy of the MSDS for concentrated hydrochloric acid.
Working in your pod, answer the information on the following slide in your notebook.

21. MSDS of concentrated hydrochloric acid
What is the major hazard presented by conc. HCl?
What steps should you take if you get HCl in your eyes? On your skin? Where in the room can you do this?
What safety steps should you take when you use conc. HCl? How will you do each of these here in the lab with the equipment available?
Repeat with another MSDS.

22. Safety on lab days
Each day we do a lab one pod will be responsible for the following:
Check that the master gas valve is closed and all desk taps are closed
Run the eye wash station for 30 sections to check for proper operation
Check lab area for stools, tuck under benches
Check for backpacks/desks near the lab area and move
Write safety information for each chemical (MSDS or workplace labels) and write on board