Laboratory Safety Rules

General Laboratory Safety Rules

• Read instructions carefully prior to starting anything
• Wear complete PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), including goggles, a lab gown, gloves, and a mask
• Consuming food or beverages is prohibited while in the lab
• Spills or accidents must be reported to the teacher
• Avoid horseplay or practical jokes in the lab
• Long hair must be tied back
• Loose sleeves should be rolled up
• Know the location of the fire extinguisher, fire blanket, eyewash station, and first aid kit
• Keep the work area uncluttered, taking only what is absolutely necessary to the lab station
• Wearing glasses is preferable to wearing contact lenses
• Keep hands away from the face during lab work
• Always wash hands with soap and water after handling chemicals
• The lab area must be cleaned up after use
• Ensure gas jets, valves, electrical connections, and water faucets are turned off after use

Glassware Safety

• Do not use chipped or cracked glassware and seek a replacement instead
• Do not dispose of broken glassware in a classroom trashcan; instead, use the special disposal container
• Avoid placing glassware near the edge of the table
• If glassware breaks, do not touch it with bare hands, and notify the teacher
• Do not put hot glassware in water
• Hot and cold glassware appear the same, so check before touching

Chemical Safety

• Never mix chemicals unless instructed to do so, and only in the specified manner
• Tasting any chemical is prohibited in the lab
• Read labels on containers carefully prior to using the contents
• Chemicals should never be returned to their original containers

GHS Symbols

• GHS means Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals
• GHS is a system of hazard communication for chemical hazards, which can be adopted globally

Laboratory Safety Equipment and Features

• Labs contain a medicine cabinet
• Labs contain a fire extinguisher
• Labs contain an eyewash station
• Labs contain a safety shower
• Labs contain fire exits
• Labs contain a fume hood

Handling Solid Reagents

• Only take the amount of solid needed
• Use a spatula specific for that reagent when taking solid samples
• Employ a piece of creased paper to prevent spillage when transferring solids to a test tube
• Gently rotate the reagent bottle until the solids slowly drop into the beaker when transferring solids from a bottle to a wide-mouth container like a beaker

Handling Liquid Reagents

• When transferring liquid, hold the reagent bottle's stopper, or place it upside down on the counter if it is flat
• When taking liquids, avoid placing a pipette inside the reagent bottle and place the needed approximate amount in a beaker, and then measure the needed amount
• When pouring liquid into a large-mouth container, use a glass-stirring rod to avoid splattering

Reminders for Wet Lab Experiments

• Note the laboratory safety rules and techniques
• Be familiar with the use of common laboratory glassware and basic equipment needed for each experiment
• Watch the lab safety video
• Accomplish the lab safety contract and perfect the quiz on the LMS site before the first experiment