REMINDERS FOR STUDENTS

A successful laboratory activity requires students to follow certain precautions and

instructions. The following are reminders to follow before, during and after performing certain
experiments:
1. Never work alone in the laboratory.
2. Do not perform any unauthorized experiments.
3. Avoid wasteful use of reagents, fuel gas, and water.
4. Perform experiments involving toxic or obnoxious chemicals near the window.
5. When inserting glass tube or thermometer into a cork or rubber stopper, first lubricate with
glycerin or water and protect hands with towel while gently and slowly rotating the tube into
the hole.
6. When heating, always use a non-luminous flame not more than 2 inches high. Do not use open
flames within several feet of flammable solvents. Never heat an enclosed system. Always
provide a vent in as set-up in which a gas is being evolved.
7. Do not bring reagent bottles to your working area. Keep reagent bottles closed after use. Do
not use a pipette, dropper, or spatula for more than one reagent.
8. When testing for odors, from reaction mixtures, do not inhale directly from containers.
Instead, hold the container away from you and waft the vapors towards you.
9. Wipe off as soon as possible any solids water or other liquids spilled on the working area.
Deposit reaction mixtures in waste jars, waste acid into acid disposal jars, and insoluble refuse
(paper, wood, cork, etc.) in the refuse can.
10. At the end of each laboratory period, keep your working area clean. See that all water and gas
cocks are turned off.
11. Report to the instructor all accidents immediately, no matter how minor. Know beforehand
the location of the fire extinguisher, be acquainted with materials in the first aid kit and know
how to use them.
12. In case of fire, move away from it. Remove any containers of flammable solvent and turn of
any burners in the area if possible. Douse off the flame with wet cloth or sand. If clothing is
on fire, DO NOT RUN. Roll over to smother the flame.
13. In case of cuts, the first thing to do is wash it well with water. Let your instructor see a
physicians attention is necessary even if you feel fine after the accidents.
14. In case chemicals get into your eyes, wash immediately with large amount of water. Then
make a second washing with 1% NaHCO3 solution (for acidic chemicals) or 1%boric acid
solution (for alkaline chemicals). If chemical spilled on the skin, wash it off immediately with
soap and water. Consult instructor in doubt as to the toxicity of the chemicals.