SAFETY IN THE LABORATORY

Students are expected to abide by the following laboratory safety rules. Violation of these rules may result
in serious disciplinary action, including possible expulsion from the class or from school, depending on the
seriousness of the offense.
1. Eye Protection. Safety goggles must be worn over the eyes at all times when in the laboratory. Contact lenses
are unsafe and are not permitted.
. Clothing and !ress. Suitable clothing is re"uired. Clothing is a protection against spilled chemicals and
flammable li"uids. Shorts, and loose or fu##y clothing are not acceptable dress. Shoes are re"uired. $pen%toed
shoes or sandals are not acceptable footwear. &ong hair must be tied bac' securely. &ab coats or aprons are
available, but not re"uired, for additional protection.
(. Eating, !rin'ing, Etc. Eating, drin'ing, or smo'ing are strictly prohibited in the &aboratory area at all times.
)ands should be washed before leaving the laboratory since many of the chemicals handled are more or less
toxic.
*. +nauthori#ed Experiments. +nauthori#ed experiments are strictly prohibited.
,. Supervision. -or'ing in the laboratory without permission or supervision by an instructor is strictly prohibited.
.. /estricted 0reas. Students are not permitted in the stoc'room 1/m *,2 without permission of the instructor.
Entry into the chemical storage room 1/m *,02 re"uires accompaniment by the instructor.
3. 4ehavior. 5nappropriate and unsafe behavior 1horseplay, pran's, teasing, or harassing of others, loud and
boisterous behavior2 are strictly prohibited. /adios etc. are not allowed in the laboratory without the instructor6s
permission.
7. Extraneous Personal Property. Coats, boo's, etc. should be left outside the laboratory to avoid cluttering the
laboratory and impeding exit in case of an emergency.
8. Safety E"uipment. 9now the location of all safety e"uipment 1fire exits, safety showers, eyewash fountains, fire
extinguishers, and fire blan'ets2.
1:. 0ccidents. 0ll accidents, even minor cuts and burns, must be reported immediately. 5n case of accident or fire,
get bac' so you are safe and call the instructor. ;or chemicals in the eyes, flush immediately with large volumes
of water, preferably using an eyewash fountain.
11. ;ires. <ost small laboratory fires can be smothered with a watchglass or insulated board. Since these fires
usually involve organic solvents, avoid using water as the smothering agent. &arge fires re"uire the use of a fire
extinguisher, preferably by an instructor or someone experienced in its proper use. ;or clothing fires, use the
safety shower or fire blan'et.
1. 4urns. 4urns are common accidents in the laboratory, especially those to the hands from hot glass tubing,
crucibles, ringstands, and burners. =he most effective treatment is to flood the burn area with cold water or ice
wrapped in a towel until the pain stops. =his may ta'e 1, minutes or more. ;or chemical burns the first aid
treatment is dilution with water. Specific antidotes come later. >ever neutrali#e acid burns with base.
NCSSM CHEMISTRY SAFETY RULES 2008-09
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1(. Common Sense. 5t is expected that common sense and accepted laboratory techni"ue will be practiced, and the
following common sense laboratory procedures should be considered rules for laboratory safety.
a2 Pipets must be filled using a rubber bulb to apply suction, and never by mouth.
b2 Experiments, and especially burner flames, must never be left unattended.
c2 -ater insoluble materials 1solids or li"uids2 must not be discarded in the sin'. !ispose of all chemicals as
directed by the instructor.
d2 &arge volumes of flammable, volatile, or toxic solvents must never be poured down sin' drains.
e2 0ll e"uipment must be turned off before you leave the laboratory.
f2 ;lammable material in an open vessel must never be heated using a flame.
g2 0 closed system must never be heated.
h2 0 towel must be used to protect the hands when cutting glass tubing. Sharp ends must be firepolished. Care
must be exercised to avoid burns from touching hot glass tubing.
12 ?lycerine 1or, less preferably, water2 must be used for lubrication to facilitate easy insertion of glass tubing,
thermometers, etc. into rubber stoppers or tubing. )ands must be protected by a towel, and ob@ects should be
gripped close to the point of insertion to avoid accidental brea'age and in@ury.
@2 =est tubes being heated must be aimed away from yourself and other people. >ever loo' into the open end
of a heated test tube.
'2 &abels on chemical bottles must be read carefully to insure use of the correct reagent. Chec' also to ma'e
certain that the concentration is correct.
l2 Concentrated acids are diluted by pouring acid into water, never the reverse.
m2 =o avoid contamination of reagents, excess chemicals are never returned to the stoc' bottles but must be
disposed of appropriately, and wet or dirty spatulas, droppers, etc. must never be used to withdraw
chemicals from stoc' bottles. &ids or stoppers must be 'ept on stoc' bottles at all times except while
withdrawing portions for use.
n2 0ll reagents and e"uipment must be returned to their proper locations at the end of the laboratory period.
o2 &aboratory benches, hoods, and sin's must be 'ept clean. Spilled chemicals and
4ro'en glass must be cleaned up immediately. -aste paper, bro'en glass, used matches, etc. must not be
discarded in the sin's. 4ro'en glass must be discarded in a special container, not in the trash cans.
p2 0nalytical balances and other delicate or costly e"uipment must be maintained in clean condition and used
with care in accordance with instructions.
"2 >o laboratory experiment should be underta'en without careful advance preparation. Procedures must be
studied and understood thoroughly before you come to lab so that the experiment can be conducted
efficiently, not in a Acoo'boo'A fashion.
NCSSM CHEMISTRY SAFETY RULES 2008-09
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