Lab Safety

School labs are not safe places!

Lab can not be made child-proof.

Instructions:

Always follow instructions exactly

If you don't understand ASK before you do

Know the names of the equipment you are going to use so that you can follow the directions

Approach laboratory work with maturity-no running, pushing, horseplay or practical jokes.

Don't do your own thing-without asking- NEVER perform unauthorized experiments

report problems or accidents immediately-anything out of the ordinary! No matter how minor!

know where the first aid kit is

know where the exits are

Be prepared in advance of the lab activity

NO FOOD or DRINK on the lab side of room 336-UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES

Don't apply cosmetics in the lab

Clean up thoroughly and carefully

Know where the shutoff valves are for water and gas

Know where the intercom is

Learn what to do in case of specific accidents (flush acid spills with water and baking soda; flush alkali spills with water and vinegar)

Personal Safety:

Inform the teacher (Dr. G.) about any health problems which may affect labs (asthma, allergies, epilepsy etc)

watch for loose clothing, dangling jewelry

tie back long hair (especially when working with fire)

wear glasses rather than contact lenses when working with chemicals

(or always wear goggles)

Fire Safety:

wear goggles

wear aprons

Never heat anything in a closed container

quench matches with water before discarding

Never reach across a flame

Never leave a flame unattended

Use clamps, tongs, gloves to handle hot equipment

protect glassware from direct flame with wire or asbestos screen

Keep your area clean and neat (paper burns!)

Know where the nearest fire alarm is

know where the fire blanket is; fire extinguisher; exits

Bunsen burner safety-

keep volatile chemicals away from flames

Know where the shutoff valve is

Chemical Safety:

goggles

aprons

never smell directly (waft the aroma)

never mix chemicals w/o instructions

NEVER TASTE w/o instruction

NEVER TOUCH w/o instruction

keep all lids on chemical jars tight when not in use

Dilute acids by adding the acid into the water, never the water into the acid

In case of spill notify the teacher (Dr. G.) IMMEDIATELY

[clean w/ water]

Dispose of chemicals as directed (NOT in the trash or down the sink unless instructed to do so)

Know where the chemical shower is

Eye and Face:

point test tubes away

goggles

know where the eyewash station is

Flying objects:

goggles

Sharps:

cut away from yourself

extreme care

broken glassware can both cut the skin and poison you-Do not handle glass carelessly

Do not heat wet glassware

Don't use cracked or chipped glassware (Especially don't heat it)

Heat only brand name glassware-Pyrex, Kimax

Insertion of tubing into stoppers-

lubricant (water, silicone grease)

twisting motion

Electrical Safety:

extreme care

watch cords

watch water

Contract:

2) Location and proper use of the following safety equipment:

a. Fire extinguisher

b. Fire blanket

c. Eye protection devices

d. Eyewash

e. Chemical containers

f. Master shutoff for gas and water

g. Bunsen burners

h. Electrical equipment

i. Intercom location

j. aprons

3) Safety procedures for the following situations:

a. Fire

b. Chemical splash to the body

c. Eye emergency

d. Chemical spill