Lab Safety

Be Prepared

● Attend all required laboratory safety training prior to the start of your experiment.● Read all procedures and associated safety information prior to the start of an experiment.

● Perform only those experiments authorized by your teacher.

● Follow all written and verbal instructions. Ask for assistance if you need guidance or help.

● Work under direct supervision at all times. Never work alone in the laboratory.

● Know the locations and operating procedures for all safety equipment. This includes the eyewash station, fireextinguisher(s), fire alarm(s), telephone, and any other equipment.

● Be alert and proceed with caution at all times in the laboratory.

● Immediately notify the teacher of any unsafe conditions.

● Know the proper emergency response procedures for accidents or injuries in the laboratory.

Ask yourself, "What am I working with? What are the hazards?"

● Common hazards in the laboratory include: animal, biological, chemical, physical, and radiological. If thereis an accident or emergency situation involving these hazards:

○ Seek immediate assistance. If you are splashed by any of these materials, use running water from aneyewash station for at least 15 minutes or until emergency assistance arrives and provides you withdifferent instructions.

○ Report to your teacher any accident, injury, or uncontrolled release of potentially hazardousmaterials ­ no matter how trivial the accident, injury, or release may appear.

Prevent potential exposure

● Conduct yourself in a responsible and professional manner at all times. No pranks. No practical jokes. Norunning, skipping, jumping, etc.

● Dress for work in the laboratory. Wear clothing and shoes that cover exposed skin and protect you frompotential splashes. Tie back long hair, jewelry, or anything that may catch in equipment.

● Never eat food, drink beverages, chew gum, apply cosmetics (including lip balm), or handle contact lenses.

● Use a chemical fume hood as directed by your supervisor.

● Observe good housekeeping ­ keep aisles and counter tops clear of clutter. ALWAYS!

● Report damaged electrical equipment to the supervisor. Do not use damaged electrical equipment.

● Do not leave active experiments unattended. Never ​leave anything that is being heated or is visibly reactingunattended.

Protect yourself, others, and the environment?

● Practice good personal hygiene. Wash your hands after removing gloves, before leaving the laboratory, andafter handling a potentially hazardous material.

● While working in the laboratory, wear personal protective equipment ­ eye protection, gloves, laboratorycoat ­ as directed by your teacher.

● Properly segregate and dispose of all laboratory waste as instructed by your teacher

Explosion Hazard. The materials in question may explode, especially if roughly handled.

Fire Hazard. The materials in question are flammable or they emit flammable gas. Flash pointratings of 0­4 exist for materials, corresponding to flammability risk. A zero on the scale is notflammable, a four is extremely flammable. A fire extinguisher must be on hand when working withflammables.

Oxidizing Agent. An oxidizer is any material that may cause or enhance the combustion of another.In addition, Oxidizing agents are a health hazard for humans when breathed or ingested. Oxidizerratings of 0­4 exist for materials, corresponding to the likelihood of enhanced combustion ordamage to your mucous membranes. A zero is a non­oxidizer, a four is an extreme oxidizer.Oxidizers must be stored away from flammable materials.

Compressed Gas. Gases are usually stored most efficiently in their liquid form. To do so oftenresults in tanks with very high pressures. When these tanks hold flammable or otherwise dangerousgases, warning labels will appear with instructions for safe use. Safety goggles must be worn!

Corrosive Chemical. Corrosive chemicals have the ability to burn your skin and damage your eyesand mucous membranes. They have the ability to destroy metal surfaces. They must always behandled with extreme care. Safety goggles, aprons, and gloves are a must when working withcorrosives!

Toxic Material. Toxic materials have the ability to kill you or make you very sick. Some toxicmaterials enter your body through ingestion (eating), while others can gain entry through the skin(touch). Treat any toxic material as a potential hazard. Glove use is mandatory!

Aspiration Toxicity. These chemicals are dangerous to breathe. They tend to demonstrate targetedorgan toxicity; that is, they affect your liver or kidneys or other specific organ. In addition, they candamage your lungs. Fume hoods and respirators are appropriate safety equipment to use!

Environmental Hazard. These materials pose a direct health risk to the environment. In particular,they must never be released into waterways, as this increases exposure to wildlife. Safe disposalguidelines must be followed for these substances.

Irritant. These substances are an eye, nose, throat, lung and/or skin irritant. They may demonstrateacute (short term) toxicity. They should be handled with care. Gloves, respirator, apron, faceshield, and long sleeves may all be appropriate safety equipment when handling

Lab Apron Advisory

Lab Coat Advisory

Lab Goggles Advisory

Face Shield Advisory

Hand Washing Advisory

Dust Mask Advisory

Covered Foot Advisory

Hard Hat Advisory

Sunglasses Advisory

Hearing Protection Advisory

Safety Glove Advisory

Warning: Always explosive/a hazard

Caution: only a hazard under certain conditions