•         Lab Safety Rules

    General Guidelines

    1.  Conduct yourself in a responsible manner at all times in the laboratory. There is an absolute “ZeroTolerance for Horseplay” in the lab.

     

    2.  Be familiar with your lab assignment before you come to lab.  Follow all written and verbal instructions carefully. If you do not understand a direction or part of a procedure, ask the teacher before proceeding.


    3.  No student may work in the laboratory without an instructor present.

     

    4.  When first entering a science room, do not touch any equipment, chemicals, or other materials in the laboratory area until you are instructed to do so.


    5.  No gum chewing on lab day.

     

    6.  Safety goggles must be worn whenever heat or chemicals are being used.  You may also want to wear older clothes on lab day.

     
    7.  Work areas should be kept clean and tidy at all times. Bring only your laboratory instructions, worksheets, and/or reports to the work area. 
     

    8. Know the locations and operating procedures of all safety equipment including the first aid kit, eyewash station, fire extinguisher, and fire blanket. Know where the fire alarm and the exits are located. 

     

    9. Dispose of all chemical waste properly. Never mix chemicals in sink drains. Sinks are to be used only for water and those solutions designated by the instructor. Solid chemicals, metals, matches, filter paper, and all other insoluble materials are to be disposed as per the teacher’s instruction and not in the sink. Check the label of all waste containers twice before adding your waste to the container.  Cracked or broken glass should be placed in the special container for “Broken Glass.” 

     

    10. Keep hands away from your face, eyes, mouth, and body while using chemicals.  Wash your hands with soap and water after performing all experiments. 

     

    11. Students are never permitted in the science storage rooms or preparation areas unless given specific permission by their instructor.

     
    12. Any time chemicals or heat are used, students will wear laboratory goggles.  There will be no exceptions to this rule!
     

    13. Dress properly during a laboratory activity. Long hair,dangling jewelry, and loose or baggy clothing are a hazard in the laboratory. Long hair must be tied back and dangling jewelry and loose or baggy clothing must be secured.

     

    14. Report any accident (spill, breakage, etc.) or injury (cut, burn, etc.) to the instructor immediately, no matter how trivial it may appear.

    15.  All chemicals in the laboratory are to be considered dangerous.  Do not touch, taste, or smell any chemical unless specifically instructed to do so. The proper technique for smelling chemical fumes (when instructed to do so by the teacher) is to gently fan the air above the chemical toward your face.  Breathe normally.

     

    16. Check the label on chemical bottles twice before removing any of the contents. Take only as much chemical as you need.  Smaller amounts often work better than larger amounts.   Label all containers and massing papers holding dry chemicals.


    17. Never take chemicals or other materials from the laboratory area.

     
    18. Examine glassware before each use. Never use chipped or cracked glassware. Never use dirty glassware.   Do not immerse hot glassware in cold water; it may shatter.
     

    19. If you do not understand how to use a piece of equipment, ask the instructor for help.

    20.  If you do not light the burner within 5 seconds, turn off the gas and wait for a minute for the gas to disperse before trying again.

    21.  SHOULD THE BUTANE BURNER GO OUT, IMMEDIATELY TURN OFF THE GAS AT THE GAS OUTLET VALVE.  Never reach over an exposed flame.  Light gas burners only as instructed by the teacher.

     

    22. Never leave a lit burner unattended. Never leave anything that is being heated or is visibly reacting unattended. Always turn the burner or hot plate off when not in use.

     

    23. You will be instructed in the proper method of heating and boiling liquids in test tubes or other equipment. Do not point the open end of a test tube being heated at yourself or anyone else.

     

    24. Heated metals, glass, and ceramics remain very hot for a long time. They should be set aside to cool on the hot pad, and then picked up with caution. Use tongs if necessary. Determine if an object is hot by bringing the back of your hand close to it prior to grasping it.

     

    25.  Labs are as COOL and FUN as they are EDUCATIONAL!!!  However, remember that the lab portion of this course is a privilege; you are not entitled to it.  Students who repeatedly miss assignments or exhibit poor behavior will lose their privilege to conduct lab experiments, and receive alternative work to complete.

     

    HAVE FUN AND BE SAFE!