Virtual Lab Manual

Lab Safety
Synopsis
Laboratories can be very dangerous, especially if you’ve never set foot in one before. So in
this simulation, you’ll get the chance to make your debut in a virtual one! You will learn how
to use the lab safety equipment, and how to react in case of an emergency. Detect and
eliminate sources of danger and pass on your lab safety knowledge to friends.

Identify hazards
Safety first! Always pay attention to potential hazards when you enter a lab. In this
simulation, you will create a tidy and safe working environment by identifying and eliminating
hazards in the lab. You will be introduced to the lab safety rules and the safety equipment,
which will help you and your colleagues, if something was to go wrong in a real lab.

Emergency training
You will be introduced to the basic hazard symbols used to categorize dangerous materials.
You’ll use this knowledge to prevent dangerous situations, like acid spills. But you will also
learn how to deal with unlabeled, potentially hazardous chemicals. By mastering such
situations in this simulation, you won’t have to worry about being exposed to any real danger.
You will learn how to operate the eye-wash and also get an introduction to various other
pieces of lab safety equipment.

Spread your knowledge

It is important to share your newly acquired knowledge with your colleagues. In this
simulation, you will meet your friend Lucy who’s never worked in a lab before. Pass on your
lab safety knowledge and help her dress appropriately for a day in the lab.

Will you be able to apply your knowledge, and make sure that you and your friend stay safe
in the laboratory?

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Learning Objectives
At the end of this simulation, you will be able to…
● Use the correct clothing to work in the lab
● Describe the do’s and don’ts in a laboratory
● Correctly use the lab safety equipment
● React in an emergency situation

Techniques in Lab
None

Theory
Good lab practices
Safety comes first. Make sure you follow the safety requirements of the lab and that you are
wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment. When working in a new lab, look
around and identify the safety equipment so you can react quickly in case of an emergency.
Keep track of all the steps that you are performing and write down the chemicals you were
using.

Make sure you label all your samples with the content, potential hazards, the date and your
initials.

After you're done with an experiment, clean all used glassware, return reagents to the correct
storage area, dispose of waste in the appropriate containers and clean the workbench with
ethanol.

Lab safety practices

● Eating, drinking, smoking and storing food and drink in the laboratory is not permitted.

● You should ensure that you wear clothes that cover your entire body. This includes
closed shoes and long pants. Avoid loose sleeves and tie back long hair, it might
obstruct you and can be dangerous when working around a flame.

● Only bring the things that you need into the lab. Leave all personal items such as
backpacks, purses or jackets outside, so they don't become contaminated. This also
applies for jewelry or watches. Make sure you do not contaminate light switches, door
knobs and especially your smartphone. Keep your hands clean and your nails short,
and make sure you wash your hands before leaving the lab.

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 ● Make sure you always wear appropriate personal protective equipment for the task at
hand.
● The lab room should be kept clean and tidy and all emergency exits should be clear.
Never place reagents on the floor. Chemicals need to be stored in appropriate
cabinets to avoid accidents.

● Keep your workbench tidy and remove all the items that are not needed.

Hazard symbols
The workplace hazard symbols are easily understandable pictograms that enable you to
quickly identify a hazard. They form part of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification
and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS).

Figure 1: Hazard pictograms and their meaning.

The GHS chemical hazard pictograms are intended to provide the basis for or to replace
national systems of hazard pictograms.

There are also alternative hazard symbols, such as the fire diamond, which is used for hazard
labeling in the USA.

Lab safety equipment

Labs contain following safety equipment:
● A safety shower and an eyewash station. Both should be tested weekly to ensure they
are working properly and that the water is clean.
● A fire extinguisher, which is usually located close to the entrance.

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 ● Two emergency exits at different sides of the lab. This ensures that nobody can get
trapped in case of a fire. Make sure the emergency exits are kept clear at all times.
● Fire blankets can be used to smother fires or protect yourself.
● The first aid kit is used for minor injuries such as cuts.
● Evacuation plans should be placed near the exits.
● Chemistry labs often contain fume hoods that protect the user from chemical
exposure.

Make sure to test your safety equipment regularly to ensure that each item is ready in an
emergency.

Fire emergency
If there is a fire in the lab make sure you follow these steps:
1. Keep calm and assess the situation:
2. If the fire is very small, such as a liquid in a flask that catches fire, try to extinguish it
by smothering it with a lid.
3. If the fire is out of control, ensure the safety of everybody in close vicinity of the fire.
4. Raise the fire alarm and press the circuit breaker to turn off all machines in the lab.
5. If you are trained in the use of fire equipment and it is safe to do so, attempt to
extinguish the fire. If the fire is out of control, evacuate immediately.

What to do when people are on fire? The most effective way to extinguish burning clothes is
by rolling on the floor. Never wrap a fire blanket around a standing person because it can
create a chimney effect and burn the person's face. If the safety shower is close, use it to
extinguish the flames and cool the burns.

Fire extinguisher
There are four classes of fires. Before you extinguish a fire, you need to make sure you
identify the type of fire; otherwise, you might make things worse.
Classes of fires:
● class A ordinary combustibles or fibrous material: wood, paper, plastic;
● class B flammable or combustible liquids: paint, kerosene;
● class C energized electrical equipment: switches, panel boxes;
● class D combustible metals: magnesium, potassium.

Most labs are equipped with dry chemical extinguishers (ABC extinguishers) that can be used
for the first three classes. CO2 extinguishers are also very popular. They can be used for
class B and C fires. Don't use CO2 extinguishers on people as it can cause serious frostbites.

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Lab coat
Wearing a lab coat is compulsory in most labs. Lab coats should be worn exclusively in the
lab to prevent possible contamination. Lab coats must be long sleeved and buttoned up to
fully protect both skin and clothes from spills. Lab coats should also be frequently laundered
on-site or by a professional laundering service.Additionally you should wear an apron if you
are working with splash hazards, volatile or reactive solutions which may easily pass through
the fabric of a lab coat.

Eyewash station
Eye injuries are a serious danger when working with hazardous chemicals. Make sure you
always wear appropriate eye protection. Immediately go to the eyewash station if your eyes
are exposed to chemicals and wash them for at least ten minutes. Contact lenses should be
avoided in the lab because the chemicals might accumulate in the space between the lens
and the eye and you might not be able to take them out fast enough to avoid serious eye
injuries.

Safety shower
The safety shower should be used if your clothes get drenched in a hazardous chemical or
your clothes catch fire. Get under the shower as fast as possible and pull the lever. Take off
your clothes while rinsing the affected body parts.

Chemical spill
Unlike spilling a glass of water, chemical spills have to be handled carefully. If a chemical
spill occurs, it is important to remain calm, warn everybody in the vicinity and analyze the
situation. It is crucial that you know what chemical was spilled and what hazards it poses
before you initiate any cleanup strategy.

Depending on the amount and type of chemicals involved, spills are categorized into minor
and major spills:
● Minor spills: Spills that can be cleaned up by lab personnel without putting
themselves or others at risk.
● Major spills: Involve large amounts of chemicals or highly dangerous reagents. Make
sure you evacuate the lab and contact the appropriate emergency personnel.
If a chemical is spilled over a person, immediately get them to the safety station and flush
the affected area thoroughly. Additionally, take off affected clothing to limit further exposure.

Minor chemical leak

Minor chemical spills involve small amounts of less hazardous chemicals. Before you start
cleaning up the spilled chemicals, you need to determine which chemicals are involved.
According to different chemicals, different cleaning strategies need to be selected.If an acid

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or alkali leak occurs, the leak needs to be neutralized first. Strong acid can be neutralized
with baking soda (weak base), strong base can be neutralized with acetic acid (weak acid).

Working with corrosive chemicals

Corrosive chemicals visibly damage or permanently change materials on contact. Such
chemicals can damage materials ranging from human skin tissue to steel! The major types of
corrosive substances include strong acids, bases, and dehydrating agents. Protective apparel
including lab coats, gloves, closed-toe shoes and long sleeved clothing should be worn when
handling corrosive materials. Manipulation of corrosive materials should occur in a fume
hood if there is a risk of explosion or chemical splashes.

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