COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

EXPERIMENT 1: CHEMICAL LABORATORY SAFETY

INTRODUCTION

A laboratory is a place wherein teaching and learning happens to demonstrate application of

chemical concepts and principles in an experimental form. It is also a place wherein research
is conducted for improvement of society. Working in a laboratory is an integral part of
undergraduate chemistry courses wherein students will work on a series of experiments.
Thus, the activities in the laboratory is associated with potential exposure to hazardous
materials and risk of occurrence of accidents.

Chemical safety is the application of best practices in handling chemicals and working
processes. It involves understanding the physical, chemical, and toxicological information of
hazardous chemicals. Factors such as (1) environmental including facilities, location,
equipment, protocols and standards, (2) personal including attitude, beliefs, personality,
knowledge, skills, and abilities; and (3) behavioral including safe and risky processes
contributes to safety. Therefore, a safety working environment is a responsibility of everyone.
Chemical safety awareness is necessary to create and ensure a safety learning environment.

PERSONAL SAFETY

1. Wear proper eye protection. Use protective eyewear such as laboratory goggles. Avoid using
contact lenses when performing experiments.
2. Wear appropriate protective clothing and footwear. An appropriate lab gown should cover
your legs to the knees. Do not wear high heal shoes, sandals, or slippers. Remove your lab
gown when outside the laboratory.
3. Wearing gloves will protect the hands from chemicals. There are many different types of
gloves depending on materials or substances which you will be working with. Remove your
gloves before using an instrument and leaving the laboratory. Dispose it properly.
4. Mask will protect you from inhaling vapors and particulates. There are different types of
masks depending on the materials or substances which you will be working with.
5. Long hair must be tied up. Use of hairnet is also prescribed.
6. Remove all jewelries and accessories when performing an experiment
7. Do not eat, drink, smoke, use medication or apply cosmetics in the chemical laboratory and
storage.
8. Never engage in pranks and other acts of mischief. No horse playing
9. Always read the labels of all chemical reagent that you will use in the experiment. When you
prepare a solution, label your sample with paper, followed by a clear tape. This will minimize
the possibilities of unreadable label.
10. Put your bags on the designated areas. Avoid putting your bags in areas that will block
emergency exit and electrical panels.
11. Familiarize yourself on the location of fire extinguisher, emergency exit, safety cabinet,
eyewash, and laboratory shower.

Science and Mathematics Department CHEMISTRY FOR ENGINEERS

 COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

12. Do not perform unauthorized experimental work, mixed chemical reagents that is not in the
procedure.
13. Never work alone. Make sure somebody is aware that you are working.
14. Always wash your hands properly.
15. Dispose all the chemical waste in an appropriate waste bottle.
16. Report any accident to the instructor in charge. Broken glass and ceramics should be
carefully removed, and spills should be removed based on the instructions for their removal.
See emergency measures for instructions. Do not panic.

Chemical Hazard Information

All chemicals are potentially harmful. Avoid direct contact with any chemical. Some
substances now considered to be non-hazardous may, in the future, be found to cause illness.
It is especially important to keep chemicals away from hands, face, and clothing, including
shoes. Many substances are readily absorbed through intact skin and inhalation. Chemicals
can also enter the body, through the mouth, and by contamination of the hands. Chemicals
can also be transferred to the eyes from the hands.

There are several sources of information regarding the hazards presented by the chemical
reagents you may encounter in a chemistry laboratory. Chemical containers are often marked
with hazard labels such as the NFPA hazard diamond and the EU. hazard symbols. These
labels communicate a wealth of information about the hazards posed by the chemical.

Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is a technical document that contains information on the potential
hazards and ways to handle the chemical products for safety purposes.

NFPA Diamond Chemical Hazard System

The NFPA hazard system is used to provide visual representation of the potential
hazards of a certain chemical. It used color codes, numbers, and symbols for personnel to
identify the hazards of a chemical that may impose during a fire.

Figure 1.1 NFPA diamond

Science and Mathematics Department CHEMISTRY FOR ENGINEERS

 COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Table No 1.1 NFPA hazard rating descriptions for health hazards, flammability hazards, and
instability hazards.
Number Blue Red Yellow
Code
0 No unusual hazard Not combustible Not reactive when
mixed with water
1 May be irritating Combustible if heated May react if heated
or mixed with water
but not violently
2 May be harmful if Combustible liquid flash Unstable or may
inhaled or absorbed point of 100 0F to 200 0F react violently if
mixed with water
3 Corrosive or toxic. Flammable liquid flash Explosive if shocked,
Avoid skin contact or point below 100 0F heated under
inhalation confinement or
mixed with water
4 May be fatal on short Flammable gas or Explosive material at
exposure. Protective extremely flammable room temperature
equipment required liquid

Table No 1.2 NFPA special hazards symbols and meaning.

OX Oxidizer, a chemical which can greatly increase the rate of
combustion/fire.
SA Gases which are simple asphyxiants. Used only for
nitrogen,helium, neon, argon, krypton, and xenon.
W Unusual reactivity with water. This indicates a potential hazard
using water to fight a fire involving this material.
EU Chemical Hazard Symbols

A hazard pictogram symbol that can be used to classify and label hazardous chemicals in
the European union.

Figure 1.2 European Union hazard labels with their meaning and
code.

Science and Mathematics Department CHEMISTRY FOR ENGINEERS

 COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

REPORT SHEET
NAME: ________________________________ SUBJECT CODE: _______________
COURSE/SECTION: _____________________ Date of Submission: _____________
Professor: ______________________________ Rating: ________________________

LABORATORY QUESTIONS

1. In heating solutions using a test tube, always point a test tube _______
A. away from you and toward others
B. away from you and others
C. toward you and others
D. toward you and away from others

2. To safely smell a chemical in the lab ________

A. smell it slowly
B. inhale the fumes directly from the container
C. heat the substance before smelling
D. gently wave the fumes toward your nose using a wafting motion

3. When mixing acid and water pour water into acid

a. let the teacher pour them
b. pour them at the same time
c. pour acid into water

4. The desire to maintain a safe laboratory environment for all begins with _________
a. prevention
c. microbiology
b. ubiquity
d. accidents

5. When a chemical splashes in the eye rinse for ________

a. 10 seconds c. 5 minutes b. 30 seconds d. 15 minutes

6. When working in the laboratory with chemicals, what personal protective equipment (PPE)
should be worn at all time?
a. Always wear goggles and lab coats. Gloves should also be worn when needed
B. Goggles only
C. lab coats only
D. None of the above

Science and Mathematics Department CHEMISTRY FOR ENGINEERS

 COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

7. The MSDS is included with all chemical shipments and describes the safety precautions and
proper disposal of the chemicals. MSDS stands for ____.
A. Material Safety Disposal Stage B.
Material Safety Data Sheet
C. Master Safety Distribution Sheet
D. Master Safety Disposal Sheet

8. Which of the following colors used on the "NFPA diamond" chemical hazard warning label
represents the health hazard?
A. Red
B. Blue
C. Yellow
D. White

9. The sign shown in figure 1.1 indicates what type of safety hazard?

Figure 1.1
A. Toxic – poisonous if touched, swallowed, or inhaled
B. Chemical – hazardous liquids; danger to skin and other materials
C. Biological – harmful to humans.
D. Radioactivity – radioactive materials; use caution

10. The sign shown in figure 1.2 indicates what type of safety hazard?

Figure 1.2

A. Toxic – poisonous if touched, swallowed, or inhaled

B. Chemical – hazardous liquids; danger to skin and other materials
C. Biological – harmful to humans.
D. Radioactivity – radioactive materials; use caution

Science and Mathematics Department CHEMISTRY FOR ENGINEERS

 COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

11. The sign shown in figure 1.3 indicates what type of safety hazard?

Figure 1.3
A. Toxic – poisonous if touched, swallowed, or inhaled
B. Chemical – hazardous liquids; danger to skin and other materials
C. Flammable – possible burn hazard; use caution
D. Radioactivity – radioactive materials; use caution

12. The sign shown in figure 1.4 indicates what type of safety hazard?

A. Irritant - wear gloves and lab coats to protect skin.

B. Toxic – poisonous if touched, swallowed, or inhaled
C. Flammable – possible burn hazard; use caution
D. Radioactivity – radioactive materials; use caution

13. Which of the sign shown below indicates warning about corrosive chemicals?

14. Which of the following colors used on the "NFPA diamond" chemical hazard warning label
represents the flammability?
A. Red
B. Blue
C. Yellow
D. White

Science and Mathematics Department CHEMISTRY FOR ENGINEERS

 COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

15. Which of the sign shown below indicates warning about explosive chemicals?

16. Which of the following pair is not correct about NFPA diamond chemical label hazard
warning?
A. Blue: health
B. Red: flammability
C. Red: 0 non-flammable
D. Blue: 0 highly toxic

17. Which of the following is TRUE about the symbol shown below about a certain chemical?
A. The chemical is highly flammable.
B. The chemical is highly flammable and highly flammable
C. The chemical is highly flammable, highly toxic and highly unstable
D. The chemical is highly toxic but not flammable.

18. If you injure yourself or others, ______.

a. don’t tell anyone
b. tell the teacher immediately
c. wait until the end of the experiment to tell the teacher
d. wait until after class to go to the nurse

19. Is it permissible to have any drink or food in the laboratory?

a. Yes
b. Never! There is no eating, no drinking, and no smoking permitted in the labs.
c. Water only
d. Food only

Science and Mathematics Department CHEMISTRY FOR ENGINEERS

 COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Part II. Given the following images, identify the safety equipment and write its important
use/function.
A. B.
C.

Science and Mathematics Department CHEMISTRY FOR ENGINEERS