1. information in black might be on the Safety Quiz!!
Lab Safety Rules
information in black might be on the Safety Quiz!!

2. General Rules
An instructor must be present during any lab. If there is lab equipment out when you walk into the room, DO NOT TOUCH IT!
Students may perform only those experiments authorized by the instructor.
NO HORSEPLAY!!

3. General Rules If you need help, raise your
To prevent accidents, students must read the laboratory directions BEFORE starting the experimental procedure.
Students need to
follow the written
directions and any
others given by the
teacher EXACTLY
during the lab- no shortcuts!
If you need help, raise your
hand and wait for the teacher.

4. General Rules If a student is injured during
a lab, the teacher must be
told immediately.
The teacher will know how to
best treat the injury. Even a
small cut can get infected and
lead to more serious problems
if it is not treated properly as
soon as the injury happens.

5. General Rules Students must be aware of the location of: 1st Aid Kit
Fire Blanket
Fire
Extinguisher
Emergency
Eyewash/
Shower
Exits

6. General Rules Students must remain at their own lab stations
during a lab activity. You
may leave your station only
when following directions
to do so.
Work areas should be kept
clean and tidy at all times-
Only bring your instructions
and worksheets to the lab
counter.
Mistakes and accidents are
more likely when counters
get cluttered.

7. General Rules Keep aisles clear. Always walk in the room. Before After
If there is an emergency, everyone will need to be able to leave the room quickly, without tripping over things.
Before
After

8. General Rules You may not eat, drink,
or chew gum in the classroom. Don’t put chemicals or equipment in your mouth!
Do not use lab glassware
as containers for food or
beverages- they may have
held a poisonous substance
or may not have been washed
thoroughly by the previous
lab group.

9. Lab Equipment
Light matches before turning on the gas for Bunsen burners.
Turn burners off when not in use.
When heating flammable materials, use a water
bath.
Do NOT have an open flame near flammable
objects.
If your clothing catches fire, use the fire blanket!

10. Lab Equipment Care should be taken around open flames and hot objects.
Always place the object
to be heated on the
hot plate before you
plug it in- they get hot
very quickly!
Make sure your hands are dry before you touch an
electrical switch, plug, or outlet.

11. Lab Equipment Never use force on glass.
Do not use cracked or broken glassware- tell the teacher if you find any. Tell your teacher
if you see anything that is dangerous in the lab!

12. Lab Equipment
Report any broken or missing equipment immediately to the teacher. Failure to do so may result in you being blamed for the broken or missing equipment.
Remember- YOU BREAK IT, YOU BUY IT!

13. Lab Equipment
When heating a test tube, it must be slanted with the opening pointed away from your neighbors.
The test tube should be
kept moving while it is
being heated to evenly
distribute the heat.

14. ESPECIALLY WHEN CHEMICALS ARE USED!
Lab Equipment
WASH YOUR HANDS
WITH SOAP AND
WATER AFTER
EVERY LAB,
ESPECIALLY WHEN CHEMICALS ARE USED!

15. Lab Equipment
Before leaving your lab area, return equipment and materials to their proper place. Wipe up any spills. Cleaning up is everyone’s responsibility!
Follow any other clean- up instructions your teacher gives you.

16. Lab Equipment
You must wear goggles whenever you are working with heat, glass, or chemicals, or whenever the teacher tells you including when the teacher is doing a demonstration with these materials.

17. Lab Equipment
Leave your goggles on until the teacher tells you it is safe to remove them.
Just because you’re done with a lab doesn’t mean everyone else is. As long as ANYONE is still performing the lab, the danger still exists!

18. Chemicals
If a chemical is spilled, immediately let the teacher know while your partner keeps everyone away from the spill. The teacher will know how to safely clean-up the spill.

19. Chemicals
Before you use a chemical, make sure you read the label on the chemical container to make sure you are using the correct substance.
Make sure to replace the
cap on containers after
using the chemical.
If you take more of a chemical out of a container than
you need, the teacher will tell you what to do with the
leftovers.

20. Chemicals Do not inhale the vapors of a chemical directly.
Instead, waft the vapors toward you with a fan-like motion.

21. Chemicals
Never taste a chemical or solution unless your teacher tells you it is safe.
If a chemical contacts your skin or eye, IMMEDIATELY wash it with water for 20 MINUTES and have your partner tell the teacher.

22. Chemicals
Never pour water into acid. This is a wasteful way to make an acid weaker. Instead, add a small amount of acid at a time to water until the desired strength is reached.
Never pour a cold liquid into a hot beaker or a hot liquid into a cold beaker. The glass cannot handle the extreme temperature change and will crack.

23. Chemicals
Your hair or clothes may catch fire, knock something over, or dip into a chemical and transfer the chemical to your skin.
Always tie back your hair and tuck in loose clothes before you start a lab.

24. Chemicals
When you are done with a lab, follow your teacher’s directions on how to dispose of used or waste chemicals.
Some chemicals are illegal or unsafe to put in the trash or down the sink.

25. A Final Thought
Your science teacher wants you to be safe during lab activities.
Following the rules is your responsibility.
Failure to follow safety rules can result in your being removed from the lab and receiving a 0 on it!