Lab Safety Procedures and

Common Lab Equipment

 Lab Safety Rules
1) Listen to and READ DIRECTIONS carefully
before you touch any lab equipment.
Highlight and make notes on the lab
procedures as you read.
2) When you are working with chemicals,
heated materials, or when performing labs
that may cause particles to move through the
air, be sure to wear SAFETY GOGGLES.
 Lab Safety Continued

3) Tell the teacher IMMEDIATELY if you have

any spills of chemicals or if you break any
glassware.
4) Be sure to WASH YOUR HANDS after you have
used any chemicals or if you notice you have
unknown substances on your skin.
5) Keep HAIR PULLED BACK and AVOID
TOUCHING YOUR FACE, eyes, ears, nose, and
mouth while in the lab.
 Lab Safety Continued
6) Don’t wear HOODIES, COATS, or other loose clothing in
the lab.
7) Know where to find EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT. Complete
your lab safety map now.
- safety shower
- eyewash station
- fire extinguisher
- first aid kit
- gas shut off valve
- electrical shut off button
 Lab Safety Continued
8) Do not take PERSONAL ITEMS into the lab. You
will only need your lab notebook, pencil, and
what materials your teacher provides you.
9) Wear GLASSES instead of CONTACTS if possible.
10) Be sure not to wear your finest clothes or wear
an APRON during lab. Some things even TIDE
can’t save you from!
 Lab Safety Continued
11) CLEAN UP your lab station when lab
is over. It should look better than
when you entered the lab!
12) NEVER NEVER EVER play around in
the lab. You will be disciplined
severely and swiftly. People can get
hurt and foolishness will NOT be
tolerated, even for a second.
 Using Glassware Safely
1) Check each piece of glassware before
you use it. If it is CRACKED, BROKEN,
CHIPPED, or STAINED let your teacher
know before you use it!
2) Do not throw glass into the trash can.
Place it in the green and white
GLASSBREAK CONTAINER next to the
door.
3) POUR CAREFULLY when you are adding
liquids to glassware to avoid splashing!
 Using Glassware Safely
4) If you are working with HEAT, always assume
that the GLASSWARE IS HOT….you can’t tell
by looking!
5) Don’t put hot glassware INTO COOL WATER…
the temperature difference may cause the
glass to shatter!
 Safety With Chemicals
1) Always protect your eyes with SAFETY
GOGGLES when working with any chemicals.
2) Never MIX CHEMICALS unless you are
instructed to do so. Always check with your
teacher if you are not sure about chemical
mixtures. BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY!!
3) Never taste or directly smell any chemical!!
Waft the fumes toward your nose if you
must. DO NOT INHALE FUMES!!
 Safety With Chemicals
4) Never pour water into an acid. AAA –
ALWAYS ADD ACID!
5) Do not POUR CHEMICALS DOWN THE DRAIN
as they may cause problems! Follow the
teacher’s directions for proper disposal!
6) Wash your hands before you leave lab
 Electrical Safety

1) WRAP CORDS around the base of microscopes

so they won’t hang off the lab table.
2) DO NOT TOUCH electrical equipment or
outlets with wet or damp hands!!
3) Never put anything in electrical outlets.
4) Do not use equipment that has a DAMAGED
CORD!
 Electrical Safety
5) Don’t jerk an electrical cord, grab the PLUG
and remove it from the outlet.
6) Be sure all electrical equipment is
UNPLUGGED at the end of the lab period.
 Being Safe With Heat!
1) Give HOT PLATES & BURNERS time to cool off
before you touch them. Test heat by holding
your hand near BUT DO NOT TOUCH the
surface!
2) Be sure to protect your hands. Wear GLOVES
or use TONGS to manage heated glassware,
etc.
3) Be aware and don’t reach across a FLAME,
STEAM, or OTHER HEAT or you may be
burned.
 Being Safe With Heat!
4) Point TEST TUBES away from others when
you are heating them.
5) Move the TEST TUBE AROUND rather than
keep it still over the flame.
6) Don’t heat WET GLASSWARE.
7) Turn on the GAS and then STRIKE.
8) NEVER NEVER EVER leave a burner or other
heat source unattended!!!
 FIRST AID- What to do when
accidents happen!
Incident: BURNS Incident: LACERATIONS
Action: Rinse injured Action: Put on safety
area with cool gloves. Use sterile gauze
water. Assess to put direct pressure on
degree of burn. injury if bleeding.
See school nurse. Assess need for
stitches. Bandage minor
cuts. See school nurse
 More First Aid Tips
Incident: FAINTING Incident: EYE INJURY
Action: Loosen tight Action: Flush eyes in
clothing around neck. eyewash station for 15
Provide fresh air. minutes. Remove
Place feet above contacts if possible.
head. If there are particles
in the eye, prevent eye
rubbing.
 More First Aid Tips
Incident: POISONING Incident: CHEMICAL
or CHEMICAL SPILLS – SKIN
INGESTION CONTACT
Action: Determine what Action: Flush injured
has been ingested. area with lots of cool
Alert the teacher water. For acidic
immediately. Call 911! spills, apply pure
baking soda solution.
For basic spills, apply
vinegar.
 More First Aid Tips
Incident: ELECTRICAL SHOCK
Action: Shut off electricity at emergency cut-
off. Call 911!