Safety in the Science Laboratory

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Safety in the Science Laboratory

• Mr. H. Clark
• Bethpage High School

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Safety in the Science Laboratory

• Safety Rule 1 Always follow the teachers
  instructions.

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Safety Equipment

• Know the location of safety equipment.
• Know who is responsible for using a piece of
  safety equipment.
• Know how to use safety equipment.
• Always follow the teachers instructions.

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Safety Equipment

• Fire extinguisher
• Fire blanket
• Shower
• Eye wash station
• Gas cut off valve (in labs equipped with gas)

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Safety Equipment

• Goggle sterilizer cabinet
• First aid kit
• Emergency exits
• Nearest phone
• Nearest fire alarm station

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If something happens!

• A fire starts.
• You get injured.
• You develop a headache.
• You are wearing contacts.
• You spilled something.
• You have allergies and we are using that
  substance.

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If something happens!

• The first thing you do is
• Tell the teacher and follow the teachers
  instructions.

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Chemical Safety

• Never taste any substance in the laboratory!
  Particularly if it is in lab glassware.
• Do NOT eat or drink in the science laboratory.

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Chemical Safety

• Do NOT directly inhale fumes, and if it has fumes
  work in a fume hood.
• Always label your bottles and test tubes as
  indicated by the lab instructions or the
  teachers instructions.
• First aid for acids and bases is running water.

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Heat Sources and Flames

• Always follow the teachers instructions.
• Always wear goggles when using an open flame or
  heat source.
• Never have a flammable substance like alcohol
  near an open flame or heat source.
• Keep extra papers away from the lab area.
• Heat sources must always be attended.

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Heat Sources and Flames

• If you get burned, tell the teacher and put the
  burned area under cold running water.
• Always heat a test tube away from everyone.
• Never heat a closed container. It will explode.

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Heat Sources and Flames

• Hot glass looks just like cold glass, but hot
  glass will burn you. If you are not sure leave it
  alone.
• Never reach across a flame.
• Tie back loose clothing and hair when working
  with flames.

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Appropriate Lab Fashion

• Closed footwear.
• Clothing that is comfortable and if it gets
  damaged it is okay.
• Goggles when instructed by the teacher.
• Gloves and aprons when instructed by the teacher.

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Inappropriate Lab Fashion

• Loose clothing (ties)
• Dangling jewelry
• Flammable clothing
• Flammable hair

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Inappropriate Lab Fashion

• Open toed shoes
• Sandals
• Wearing eyeglasses instead of approved safety
  goggles.
• Expensive outfits.

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Other things to think about

• Wash you hands with soap and water after the lab
  if you handle anything.
• If you get cut or burned, tell the teacher and
  run cold water on a burn, wash with soap and
  water and put on a band aid. See the school
  nurse if there are any problems.

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Other things to think about

• The shower is there if you spill acid or a
  caustic chemical on yourself. Otherwise do not
  touch the shower.
• The eyewash is there if you get something in you
  eye. Otherwise do not touch the eyewash.
• Learn basic first aid.
• Dispose of wastes in the proper container.

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Other things to think about

• Never touch anything electrical with wet hands.
• Never use any equipment if it has frayed wires.

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Other things to think about

• Clean up is the responsibility of all students,
  whether the are leaving or arriving the lab.
• Put equipment away after you use it.
• Clean up spills immediately.

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Other things to think about

• Playing around (Wrestling, throwing things, etc.)
  is always against the safety rules.
• If glassware is chipped or broken, tell the
  teacher.
• Never add water to acids. PAW Pour acids into
  water.

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Finally

• Lab and Field Safety is in your textbook pages
  xviii to xx.
• Always follow the teachers instructions.
• Use common sense.