‘Table 1.1: Some common safety signs seen in laboratories Subject Lettering or symbol Background Emergene; White Green ‘Waming Black Yellow Prohibition Red White Fire fighting equipment | White Red WORKING WITH CHEMICALS ‘All chemicals are considered potentially harzards and should therefore be handled with caution. Under no condition therefore should any of these chemicals be tasted or sniffed, even when they are not thought to be harmful, unnecessary contact with the skin or personal clothing should be avoided as much as possible, Reagents and chemicals are usually packaged in glass or plastic containers that bear the specific warning symbols that apply to the contents. However, you are more likely to work with solutions of these reagents contained in reagent boitles as prepared by the technologists. Ideally, these should also be marked with the appropriate safety warning signs, but when such signs are absent the relevant precaution to be taken with the reagents will be described in the materials section of the exercise. Usually, the demonstrator would also reiterate any specific risks you need to be mindful of (Students should feel free to ask if the demonstrator leaves this out). Table 1.3 shows a list of some chemicals, their description and additional precautions that may be useful to the students when handling them, Additional Preea In addition to the chemical hazards, students could be exposed to additional risks in the laboratory through the use of fire, pressurized gas cylinders, biological materials (e.g., blood), sharp and fragile objects (e.g., glass and needle), electricity, etc. It is therefore necessary to take appropriate care when using any of these potentially harmful items. 1 No foods or drinks should be taken into a laboratory Reason: Potentially dangerous chemicals could easily contaminate them. All mobile phones must be switched off. In addition to the distractions they cause, running out to take the calls when the phone goes off or rings could cause accident in a busy laboratory. 2. Do not sit or lean on a workbench Reason: Any chemical that had spilled on the bench could be harmful on contact