Laboratory Safety

The science laboratory has the potential to be either a safe place or a dangerous place. The difference depends on how well you know and follow safe laboratory practices. It is important that you read the information here and learn how to recognize and avoid potentially hazardous situations.

Basic rules for working safely in the laboratory include the following:

Basic Safety

1. Use the science laboratory for authorized work only

2. Know the 4 hazard classes and control measure

3. Be prepared. Study the assigned activity before you come to class. Resolve any questions about the procedures before you begin to work.

4. Know how to use the safety equipment and know the location of the fire extinguisher, eyewash station, safety shower, and fire blanket

5. Be organized. Arrange the materials you need for the activity in an orderly way.

6. Maintain a clean, open work area, free of anything except those materials you need for the assigned activity. Store books, backpacks, and purses out of the way. Keep laboratory materials away from the edge of the work surface.

7. Tie back long hair and remove dangling jewelry. Roll up long sleeves and tuck in long clothing. Do not wear loose-fitting sleeves or open-toed shoes in the laboratory.

8. Wear safety goggles and a lab apron whenever you work with chemicals, hot liquids, lab burners, hot plates, or apparatuses that could break or shatter. Wear protective gloves when working with preserved specimens, toxic and corrosive chemicals, or when otherwise directed to do so.

9. Never wear contact lenses while conducting any experiment involving chemicals. If you must wear them (by a physician’s order), inform your teacher before conducting any experiment involving chemicals.

10. Alert the teacher in case of uncontrolled fire and leave the laboratory

11. Check carefully for the presence of any ignition sources before using flammable materials

12. Place broken glass and disposable materials in their designated containers.

13. Report any incident, accident, injury, or unsafe procedure to the teacher at once

14. Never taste, touch, or smell any substance unless the teacher specifically directs you to do so.

15. Handle chemicals carefully, check the label of every bottle or jar before removing the contents, and never return unused chemicals to reagent containers.

16. Make sure the mouth of the test tube points away from other people and away from you when heating a substance in a test tube.

17. Use proper equipment to handle hot glassware.

18. Never use direct or reflected sunlight to illuminate your microscope or any other optical device. Direct or reflected sunlight can cause serious damage to your retina.

19. Keep your hands away from the sharp pointed ends of equipment, such as scalpels, dissecting needles, or scissors.

20. Observe all cautions in the procedural steps of the activities. Caution is a signal word used in the text and on labeled chemicals or reagents that tell you about the potential for harm and injury. It reminds you to observe specific safety practices. Always read and follow this statement. It is meant to help keep you and your fellow students safe. Caution statements advise you that the material or procedure has some potential risk of harm or injury if directions are not followed.

21. Clean the work area at the end of the lab period, wash and store all materials and equipment, and turn off all water, gas, and electrical appliances.

22. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before leaving the laboratory.