Lab Safety

1
Lab Safety

• Emily Rowland
• NSF North Mississippi GK-8
• University of Mississippi
• June 2005

2
Why is Lab Safety Important?

• Lab safety is a major aspect of every lab based
  science class.
• Lab safety rules and symbols are needed so that
  students do not injure themselves or their
  classmates.

3
Lab Safety Rules

• 1. Always follow the teachers directions and
  only do lab work when a teacher is present.
• 2. Conduct yourself in a responsible manner at
  all times. No Horseplay!
• 3. Do not touch any equipment, chemicals, or
  other materials until told to do so.
• 4. Do not eat food, drink beverages, or chew gum
  in the lab. Do not use lab glassware as food or
  beverage containers
• 5. Report ALL accidents to your teacher
  immediately, even if you think it is minor.

4
Clothing

• Wear
• Goggles/safety glasses
• Closed-toed shoes
• Clothing made of natural based fiber such as
  cotton
• Tie back long hair

• Do NOT Wear
• Sandals
• Jewelry
• Loose or Baggy clothing

5
Lab Safety Equipment

• Safety Shower

• Safety Goggles

Eye Wash
6
Lab Safety Equipment

• Fire
• Extinguisher

• Fire Blanket

Fume Hood
7
Lab Safety SymbolsFound in your textbook

• Glassware
• Heat
• Eye and Face
• Sharps

• Electrical
• Animal
• Chemical
• Fire

8
Other Chemical Hazards and Symbols

• Flammable
• Explosive
• Toxic/Poison

• Irritant
• Corrosive
• Environmental

9
Chemical Hazard Symbols and Definitions

• Flammable Any substance that will burn if
  exposed to an open flame.
• Explosive A substance that may explode if
  exposed to heat or flame.

10
Chemical Hazard Symbols and Definitions

• Toxic/Poison A substance that can lead to death
  if inhaled, ingested, or absorbed by the skin.
• Corrosive A substance that can destroy or burn
  living tissue and can eat away at other
  materials.

11
Chemical Hazard Symbols and Definitions

• Irritant - A substance that causes inflammation
  upon contact with skin or mucous membranes.
• Environmental - Substances that are harmful to
  the environment. They must be disposed of
  properly, not washed down the drain.

12
Accidents and Injuries

• Report ALL accidents and injuries to your teacher
  immediately!!!
• Be aware of safety hazards associated with each
  chemical you use.
• Eye accident Wash the eye with copious amounts
  of water for at least 15 min.
• Fire Burns Stop, Drop, and be covered with a
  fire blanket or soaked with water. Do not remove
  clothing stuck to victim. Get medical attention
  immediately.

13
Waste Disposal

• First ask your teacher where/how to dispose of
  waste.
• Never pour anything down the drain unless you are
  told to do so.
• A waste bottle will be supplied for substance
  that cannot go down the drain

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Reasons for proper waste disposal

• Hazardous chemicals down the drain can lead to
  pollution of ground water, lakes, rivers, etc.
• Plants and animals will die if they are exposed
  to hazardous chemical waste.
• Serious health problems will become present in
  people if hazardous waste finds its way into
  drinking water.

15
Safety Procedures to Follow Before Going to the
Lab

• Requirements
• Rules
• First Aid
• Equipment
• Clothing

16

• Two Copies of this contract must be signed by you
  (the student) and your parent or guardian, and
  returned before you can participate in
  activities.
• If you currently wear contacts or obtain them
  during the term notify your teacher and complete
  a Contact Lenses Contract.

• You must obtain a minimum score of 85 on a safety
  test.
• You will follow all oral and written instruction
  and safety guidelines.

17

• Two Copies of this contract must be signed by you
  (the student) and your parent or guardian, and
  returned before you can participate in
  activities.
• If you currently wear contacts or obtain them
  during the term notify your teacher and complete
  a Contact Lenses Contract.

• You must obtain a minimum score of 85 on a safety
  test.
• You will follow all oral and written instruction
  and safety guidelines.

18

• You are to conduct yourself in a responsible
  manner at all times when participating in
  activities.
• Know the locations and operating procedures of
  all safety equipment.
• Horseplay, practical jokes, pranks, and other
  distractions are unsafe and will not be
  tolerated.
• Bring only materials required to perform the
  activity.

You could be ticketed
19

• Carefully follow all written and oral
  instruction.Do not perform any activity that is
  not assigned or authorized by your teacher
• Keep you work area clean and organized.
• You may not leave your assigned work area unless
  instructed by your teacher.
• Students are not permitted in storage or
  preparation areas.

Three Tickets And You Are OUT!
20

• Report All accidents, spills, or injuries to your
  teacher immediately.

• Know proper first aid procedures in case of
  accident or injury.
• If any chemical should splash in your eyes or on
  your skin, immediately rinse with running water
  and notify your teacher.
• All objects contaminated with blood or other
  bodily fluids must be reported to the teacher
  immediately for cleaning and/or proper disposal.

21
Equipment

• Examine electrical equipment for any frayed
  cords, exposed wires and loose connections.
• Make sure your hands are dry before handling any
  electrical equipment.
• If you do not understand how to use a piece of
  equipment, ask your teacher for help.
• Handle sharp or pointed instruments appropriately
  and with care.

22

• Safety goggles must be worn whenever you work
  with chemicals, flames, heat, glassware or any
  substance that might get into your eyes.
• Tie back long hair.
• Secure loose clothing and long sleeves.
• Wear shoes that completely cover your feet.
• Wear a lab apron when working with chemicals or
  substances that can stain or cause injury.

23

• Do not touch, taste, or smell chemicals.
• Never hold your face over an open container.
• Read labels twice to make sure you are using the
  proper chemicals.
• Never remove chemicals or other materials from
  the laboratory or classroom.
• Acid spills should be neutralized with a base,
  and base spills should be neutralized with an
  acid.

24

• Never heat anything unless instructed to do so by
  your teacher.
• Never place combustible materials near a heat
  source.
• Never reach over an exposed flame or a heating
  element.
• Always turn off any heat source when not in use.
• Do not point the open end of a test-tube toward
  yourself or anyone else.
• Never look into the open end of any container
  being heated.
• Always allow ample time for the heated object to
  cool.

25

• Never handle broken glass.
• Examine glassware before each use.
• Handle hot glassware with tongs, clamps or
  designated insulating materials.
• Do not immerse hot glassware with cold water or
  cold glassware in hot water.

26
Sources

• Turner, B. and K.K.Shamsid-Dean. 2005. Good,
  Messy, Frothing Fun. Teaching Problem-Based Lab
  Safety. Science Scope. April/May 10-13.
• Curan, David. 2004. Chemical Safety Symbols
  Explained. Accessed 2005 June 19.
  lthttp//wwwgeocities.com/david_charles_curran/safe
  ty/chemical_safety_symbols_4.htmlgt.
• Free Weird Science Clipart. Accessed 2005 June
  18. lthttp//chemistry.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite
  .htm?zi1/XJsdnchemistryzuhttp3A2F2Fwww.ang
  elfire.com2Fscifi2FWeirdImages2Ffree_clipart_ic
  ons_gifs_cartoon_science.htmlgt.
• 2001 Science Education Centre. Making School
  Laboratories a Safe Place, Educators Guide.
  Accessed 2005 June19. lthttp//www.sec.org.za/lab/l
  absafe.htmgt.
• 2004 March. Laboratory Safety Symbols. Accessed
  2005 June 19. lthttp//mywebpage.netscape.com/mrshi
  gginschms/labsymbols.htmlgt.
• 2004 Environmental Defense and GetActive
  Software. Scorecard, The Pollution Information
  Site. Accessed 2005 June26. ltwww.scorecard.orggt.

27
Sources

• 2003 Mississippi Corridor Neighborhood Coalition
  Resources Frequently Asked Questions. Accessed
  2005 June 26. lthttp//www.mcnc-mpls.org/faq.aspgt.
• 2004 The Concise Biotech Dictionary. Accessed
  2005 June20. lthttp//www.thebiotechdictionary.comgt
  .
• Cushman, David. 2003 May. Safety Symbols used on
  this Website. Accessed 2005 June 25.
  lthttp//website.lineone.net/dave.cushman/safetysy
  mbols.htmlgt.
• Safety goggles and fume hood photos. SMC Safety
  Rules. Accessed 2005 July 7. lthttp//homepage.sm
  c.edu/chem10/SafetyRules.htmlgt.
• Bradley Corporation. Accessed 2005 July 7.
  lthttp//www.bradleycorp.com/sweets/guidelines/emrg
  ency.htmgt.
• 2005. Fire Safety and Fire Extinguishers.
  Accessed 2005 July 8. lthttp//www.ilpi.com/safety/
  extinguishers.htmlgt.
• Fire Blanket Photo. Accessed 2005 July 9.
  lthttp//www.chem.unl.edu/safety/hslab8.htmlgt.