Lab Safety
The Do's and Dont's of the Science Lab
General Procedure
- Never work without the supervision of a teacher/lab supervisor.
- Never leave experiments while in progress.
- Only use materials according to instruction.
- Never eat or drink in the lab.
- Always wash your hands before leaving the lab.
Never horseplay!
Irresponsible actions can cause accidents in the lab.
Never work alone
Always have partners and someone to supervise your lab experiments.
Read all instructions
Make sure you fully understand all the instructions before beginning an experiment.
Attire
- Tie long hair back.
- Wear closed-toe, closed-heel shoes.
- Wear a full length, long-sleeved lab coat, or chemical resistant apron when necessary.
Safety Googles
Wear to protect your eyes.
Safety Gloves
Wear to protect your hands.
Lab Coat
Wear to protect your skin and clothing.
Housekeeping
- At the end of experiments, clean and rinse out all materials, and put them back in their original places.
- Never leave electrical cords near water sources.
Report accidents
- Immediately alert your teacher or lab supervisor of any spills or breaks.
Keep your work space clean
Keep your area clear of clutter and unnecessary objects.
Properly dispose of broken glass
Report accidents to your lab supervisor, and clean up the glass according to instruction.
Chemical Handling
- Do not directly touch chemicals with your bare hands.
- Never just pour chemicals down the drain. Ask your teacher or lab supervisor how to dispose of the chemicals being used.
- Never return unused chemicals to the original container.
Don't play mad scientist!
Never haphazardly mix chemicals. Only use materials according to instruction.
Point chemicals away
- Point fire and/or chemicals away from yourself and others.
Acid into water
- Always pour acids into water, and not water into acid. This prevents splattering.
Emergency Procedure
Know the locations and how to operate the following:
- Fire extinguishers
- Fire blankets
- First-aid kits
- Safety showers
- Eye washers
- Emergency shut-off buttons
Fire blanket
Use to cover small fires.
Eye wash station
Use when chemicals may have come in contact with your eyes.
Emergency shut-off
Use to shut down power outlets in the event of any emergency such as an electrical shock.
Lab Techniques & Safety: Crash Course Chemistry #21