Laboratory safety During your observation of chemistry you will conduct experiments in the laboratory. When working in the lab you are accountable for the safety of yourself and others working around you. Every time you enter the lab, use these safety rules as a guide.
Safety in the Laboratory
1. Study your lab assignment previous to you come to the lab. If you have some questions be sure to ask your teacher for help.
2. Don't perform experiments without your teacher's permission. Never work only in the laboratory.
3. Utilize the table on the inside front cover of this textbook to understand the safety symbols. Read all CAUTION statements.
4. Safety goggles as well as a laboratory apron must be worn whenever you are in the lab. Gloves must be worn whenever you use chemicals that cause irritations or can be absorbed through the skin. Long hair should be tied back.
5. Don't wear contact lenses in the lab even under goggles. Lenses are able to absorb vapours and are difficult to remove in case of an emergency.
6. Keep away from wearing loose draping clothing and dangling jewellery. Bare feet and sandals aren't permitted in the lab.
7. Drinking, Eating and chewing gum aren't allowed in the lab.
8. Know where to find as well as how to use the shower, safety fire blanket, fire extinguisher, and first-aid kit.
9. Report any injury, accident, incorrect procedure or damaged equipment to your teacher.
10. If chemicals come in contact with your eyes or else skin flush the area immediately with large quantities of water. Immediately notify your teacher of the nature of the spill.
11. Handle all chemicals cautiously. Confirm the labels of all bottles before removing the contents. Examine the label three times:
1Before you pick up the container.
2When the container is in your hand.
3When you put the bottle back.
12. Don't take reagent bottles to your work area unless instructed to do so. Use paper, test tubes or beakers to obtain your chemicals. Take merely small amounts. It is simpler to get more than to dispose of excess.
13. Don't return unused chemicals to the stock bottle.
14. Don't insert droppers into reagent bottles. Pour a small amount of the chemical into a beaker.
15. Never taste any of chemicals. Never draw any of chemicals into a pipette with your mouth.
16. Keep combustible materials far away from open flames.
17. Handle toxic as well as combustible gases only under the direction of your teacher. Utilize the fume hood when such materials are present.
18. When heating a substance in a test tube you must be careful not to point the mouth of the test tube at another person or yourself. Never gaze down the mouth of a test tube.
19. Don't heat graduated burettes, cylinders or pipettes with a laboratory burner.
20. Use caution as well as proper equipment when handling hot apparatus or glassware. Hot glass seems the same as cool glass.
21. Dispose of unused chemicals, broken glass and products of reactions only as directed by your teacher.
22. Know the accurate procedure for preparing acid solutions. Always add the acid gradually to the water.
23. Maintain the balance area clean. Never put chemicals directly on the pan of a balance.
24. After completing an experiment clean as well as put away your equipment. Make Clean your work area. Make sure the gases as well as water are turned off. Wash your hands by means of soap and water before you leave the lab.