Lab Safety
These rules always apply!
Safety Rules
1. ALWAYS wear a lab apron & safety goggles.
Aprons protect your clothes.
Goggles protect your eyes.
If you wear contact lenses, you MUST wear goggles and not safety glasses.

2. Never work alone in the lab.

3. Wear the right clothing for lab work.
No long necklaces, ties, loose sleeves, loose clothes, etc.
Tie long hair back.
Wear shoes (no sandals or open toes shoes)

4. Only the supplies you will need for lab are to be carried to the lab.
Leave your textbooks, backpacks, jackets, purses etc in the classroom.

5. Read the entire lab experiment before you go to lab.
Know what safety precautions you need to take
Know where the lab equipment is located
Follow the directions and do not mix anything that is not authorized

6. Read the chemical labels and know the chemical formulas
Know the location of the MSDS notebook and how to use the notebook.
Read the label twice before dispensing

7. NO HORSEPLAY IN LAB
We have glassware and chemicals in the lab that can hurt you if you drop or spill them.
Don’t bump any one carrying glass or chemicals

8. No eating, drinking, or chewing gum in the lab.
Vapors and chemicals can get into your food or gum.
Glassware is not always clean.

9. Be careful around burners and hot plates.
Never reach across a lit burner
Do not touch hot plates after they have been turned off
Remember that hot glassware and cool glassware look the same.
Use the back of your hand to feel if the glass is still hot.

10. Be sure your hands and lab table are dry when using electrical equipment.
It could be a shocking experience

11. Know where the safety showers and eyewash are located
Eyes should be held open with the thumb and forefinger and held in the running eyewash 15 minutes.

12. Know the location of the safety equipment in the lab.
First aid kit: to left of door (east wall)
Fire Blanket: to left of door, by vent hood
Eyewash: north wall tables
Fire Extinguisher: north wall
MSDS notebook: to left of door (east wall)

13. Clean up spills immediately.
Neutralize acids before cleaning. Pour baking soda or washing soda onto acid spill and wipe up with it stops reacting.
Neutralize bases with citric acid (powder)

14. If you get chemicals on your skin, immediately wash your skin off in the sink and call the teacher.
If you get dry chemicals on your clothes, gently brush off in the trash can and call the teacher.
If you spill liquid chemicals on your clothes, immediately rinse in the sink and call the teacher.
If you can’t fit the clothes in the sink, use the safety shower.

15. Report all accidents and injuries IMMEDIATELY to the teacher no matter how minor.
If you feel sick, dizzy, get a headache, tell your teacher

16. Clean your work area when you are finished.
Wash glassware with a small amount of soap and water. Dry the glassware and get it ready for the next group.
Wash your hands with soap and water before you leave the lab.
Trash goes in the trashcan

17. Remember that lab is fun and practical.
Remember your lab skills
These will be used throughout the year
Always follow the safety rules even if I don’t remind you of them.