APPENDIX A – LABORATORY SAFETY RULES AND FIRST AID
Chemistry is learned better in a hands-on laboratory class. Many laboratory
activities which require the use of some hazardous chemicals will be performed, thus,
safety in the chemistry laboratory room is the number one priority.
The chemistry laboratory is a safe place to conduct experiments if the following
safety and procedural rules are strictly observed/followed at all times.
General Guidelines
1. Be responsible at all times while in the laboratory.
2. Be familiar with laboratory assignment before entering the laboratory room. Follow
all written and oral instructions carefully. If a direction or part of a procedure is not
well understood, ask the teacher before proceeding.
3. Never work alone. No student may work in the laboratory if an instructor is not
around.
4. Do not touch any equipment, chemicals, or other materials until instructed to do so.
5. Do not eat, drink, or chew gum in the laboratory.
6. Perform only those experiments authorized by the instructor. Never do anything that
is not called for in the laboratory procedures or by the instructor. Unauthorized
experiments are prohibited.
7. Safety goggles, laboratory caps and gowns must be worn while working in the
laboratory.
8. Observe good housekeeping practices. Work areas should be kept clean and tidy at
all times. Only laboratory manual should be on the table while doing a laboratory
activity. Other materials (books, purses, backpacks, etc.) should be kept in
appropriate places.
9. Know the locations and operating procedures of all safety equipment including the
first aid kit, eyewash station, safety shower and fire extinguisher. Know where the
fire alarm and the fire exits are located.
10. Be alert and proceed with caution at all times in the laboratory. Notify the instructor
immediately of any observed unsafe conditions.
11. Dispose all chemical waste properly. Sinks are to be used only for water and those
solutions designated by the instructor. Solid chemicals, metals, matches, filter
paper, and all other insoluble materials are to be disposed in the proper waste
containers, not in the sink.
12. Labels and equipment instructions must be read carefully before use. Set up and
use the prescribed apparatus as directed in the laboratory instructions provided by
the teacher.
13. Keep hands away from the face, eyes, mouth, and body while using chemicals.
Wash the hands with soap and water after performing a laboratory activity. Clean
(with detergent), rinse, and dry all apparatus, equipment, and work surfaces at the
end of an activity.
14. Experiments must be personally monitored at all times. Work on the assigned
laboratory table. Do not wander around, distract other students, or interfere with the
laboratory activities of others.
15. Students are never allowed in the stock rooms or preparation areas unless given
specific permission by the instructor.
16. Know what to do if there is a fire drill during a laboratory period; containers must be
closed, gas valves turned off, fume hoods turned off, and any electrical equipment
turned off and unplugged
17. If acid or any other corrosive chemical is spilled on the skin or clothes, immediately
wash the affected area with a large amount of water (remember that small amounts
of water may be worse than no water at all). After this, get the teacher’s attention
18. At the end of the laboratory session see to it that: a) gas outlet valve is shut off
b) the water is turned off c) desk top, floor area, and sink are clean d) all
equipment is cool, cleaned, returned to their proper places, and apparatus are
locked in the assigned locker.
Clothing
19. Any time chemicals, heat, or glassware are used, students must wear laboratory
gown and goggles. There will be no exceptions to this rule!
20. Dress properly during a laboratory activity. Long hair, dangling jewelry, and loose or
baggy clothing are a hazard in the laboratory. Long hair must be tied back and
dangling jewelry and loose or baggy clothing must be secured. Shoes must
completely cover the foot. No sandals are allowed.
Accidents and Injuries
21. Report any accident (spill, breakage, etc.) or injury (cut, burn, etc.) to the instructor
immediately, no matter how simple it may appear.
22. In case of accident or untoward incident, immediately get the instructor's attention.
Everyone should prepare to help if needed.
23. If a chemical should splash in the eye(s), immediately flush with running water from
the eyewash station for at least 20 minutes. Notify the instructor immediately.
Handling Chemicals
24. All chemicals in the laboratory are to be considered dangerous. Do not touch, taste,
or smell any chemical unless specifically instructed to do so. The proper technique
for smelling chemical fumes is to gently fan the air above the chemical toward the
nose. Breathe normally.
25. Check the label on chemical bottles twice before removing any of the contents.
Know the hazards in using them. The following symbols are commonly found on
chemical labels.
radioactive oxidizer flammable poison biohazard corrosive
Take only as much chemical as needed. Label all containers and massing papers
holding dry chemicals.
26. Never return unused chemicals to their original containers.
27. Never use mouth suction to fill a pipette. Use a pipette bulb or aspirator.
28. Acids must be handled with extreme care. ALWAYS ADD ACID SLOWLY TO
WATER, with slow stirring and swirling, being careful of the heat produced,
particularly with sulfuric acid.
29. Handle flammable hazardous liquids over a pan to contain spills. Never dispense
flammable liquids anywhere near an open flame or source of heat.
30. Never take chemicals or other materials directly from the laboratory stockrooms.
31. Take great care when transferring acids and other chemicals from one place to
another. Hold them securely and in the method demonstrated by the teacher.
Handling Glassware and Equipment
32. Examine glassware before each use. Never use chipped or cracked and dirty
glassware. Do not immerse hot glassware in cold water; it may shatter.
33. Inserting and removing glass tubing from cork stoppers can be dangerous. Always
lubricate glassware (tubing, thistle tubes, thermometers, etc.) before attempting to
insert it in a stopper and protect the hands with towels. If a piece of glassware
becomes "frozen" in a stopper, take it to the instructor for removal.
Heating Substances
34. Never leave a lit burner unattended. Never leave anything that is being heated or is
visibly reacting unattended. Always turn the burner or hot plate off when not in use.
35. SHOULD THE BUNSEN BURNER GO OUT, IMMEDIATELY TURN OFF THE
GAS AT THE GAS OUTLET VALVE. To turn off the burner, do so by turning off
the gas at the gas outlet valve first, then close the needle valve and barrel. Never
reach over an exposed flame. Light gas burners only as instructed by the teacher.
36. When boiling liquid in a test tube, do not point the open end of a test tube being
heated at yourself or anyone else.
37. Heated metals, glass, and ceramics remain very hot for a long time. These should
be set aside to cool and then picked up with caution. Use tongs or heat
protective gloves if necessary. Determine if an object is hot by bringing the back of
your hand close to it prior to grasping it.
Waste Disposal
38. Dispose all wastes in appropriate manner. Dispose wastes generated during an
experiment in the respective collecting bottles.
39. Dispose broken glassware, including ceramics, in properly labeled box
containers only! Never put broken glassware in the trash.
40. Do not dispose solid wastes in the sink.
FIRST AID
A. Burns. Flush out the burned area or immerse in cool water for about 20 minutes or
until pain subsides. If the burns have occupied the major portion of the skin, seek
medical assistance.
B. Chemical Splash in the Eyes. Hold the face under running water for 15 to 20
minutes and allow the water stream to flood into the eyes. Keep eyelids apart using the
fingers but make sure it doesn’t have any trace of the chemicals.
C. Minor Bleeding. Clean the injured area with sterile gauze soaked in normal saline or
clean water. Apply an appropriate dressing such as a band aid or a non-adhesive
dressing.
D. Fumes/ Smoke inhalation. Maintain an open airway and provide an adequate level
of oxygen. Have the victim sit down until he or she begins to feel better.
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Reference: Mr. Thackwray. "Science Classroom Lab Safety Contract". Retrieved from
http://nobel.scas.bcit.ca/debeck_pt/science/safetyContract.htm on June 12, 2018.
