Precautionary measures inside the laboratory

Answer 1

1. Conduct yourself in a responsible manner at all times in the laboratory.

2. Be familiar with your lab assignment before you come to lab. Follow all written and verbal instructions carefully. If you do not understand a direction or part of a procedure, ask the teacher before proceeding.

3. Never work alone. No student may work in the laboratory without an instructor present.

4. When first entering a science room, do not touch any equipment, chemicals, or other materials in the laboratory area until you are instructed to do so.

5. Do not eat food, drink beverages, or chew gum in the laboratory. Do not use laboratory glassware as containers for food or beverages.

6. Perform only those experiments authorized by the instructor. Never do anything in the laboratory that is not called for in the laboratory procedures or by your instructor. Carefully follow all instructions, both written and oral. Unauthorized experiments are prohibited.

7. Safety goggles and aprons must be worn whenever you work in lab. Gloves should be worn whenever you use chemicals that cause skin irritations or need to handle hot equipment. Wear older clothes that cover the maximum amount of skin.

8. Observe good housekeeping practices. Work areas should be kept clean and tidy at all times. Bring only your laboratory instructions, worksheets, and/or reports to the work area. Other materials (books, purses, backpacks, etc.) should be stored in the classroom area.

9. Know the locations and operating procedures of all safety equipment including the first aid kit, eyewash station, safety shower, spill kit, fire extinguisher, and fire blanket. Know where the fire alarm and the exits are located.

10. Be alert and proceed with caution at all times in the laboratory. Notify the instructor immediately of any unsafe conditions you observe.

11. Dispose of all chemical waste properly. Never mix chemicals in sink drains. 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 of in the proper waste containers, not in the sink. Check the label of all waste containers twice before adding your chemical waste to the container. Cracked or broken glass should be placed in the special container for "Broken Glass."

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 your teacher.

13. Keep hands away from your face, eyes, mouth, and body while using chemicals. Wash your hands with soap and water after performing all experiments. Clean (with detergent powder), rinse, and dry all work surfaces and equipment at the end of the experiment.

14. Experiments must be personally monitored at all times. You will be assigned a laboratory station at which to work. Do not wander around the room, distract other students, or interfere with the laboratory experiments of others.

15. Students are never permitted in the science storage rooms or preparation areas unless given specific permission by their 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.

17. If you spill acid or any other corrosive chemical on you skin or clothes immediately wash area with large amounts of water (remember that small amounts of water may be worse that no water at all). After this get the teacher's attention. The spill kit will be used for spills on floor or counter-top.

18. At the end of the laboratory session see that: a) main 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, clean, and arranged.