Safety Rules in the Chemistry Lab

Always wear safety goggles to shield your eyes from potential splashes or projectiles.

Wear appropriate clothing that does not hinder movement or pose a risk to spills.

Maintain a clean and organized workspace to prevent accidents and ensure a safe environment.

Never pipette by mouth, use a pipette bulb or other safe device.

Avoid using chipped or cracked glassware to prevent cuts, spills, and potential injuries.

Always get approval from your instructor before starting a distillation and follow safety procedures.

Never heat a closed system during distillation to prevent pressure buildup, explosions, and projectiles.

Heat glass with caution, using appropriate support and handling techniques to avoid burns.

Always use a fume hood when handling volatile or hazardous substances. This prevents harmful fumes from escaping into the lab environment.

When using a fume hood, make sure your experiment is positioned well within the hood's space. Keep your head outside the hood to avoid inhaling any potentially dangerous fumes.

Always ensure the fume hood's exhaust fan is turned on and working properly. The fan helps draw out dangerous fumes and keeps the lab air clean.

Only place items that are absolutely necessary for your experiment inside the fume hood. Minimizing clutter helps ensure proper airflow and safety.

Never directly inhale the vapor of a chemical. To check the smell, gently waft the vapors towards your nose to avoid direct contact with the potentially harmful substance.

Avoid using open flames near flammable materials, especially organic solvents like acetone, diethyl ether, or petroleum ether. Using a flameless heat source can reduce the risk of fire.

Always wear gloves when handling irritating reagents, especially organic compounds. Latex gloves aren't enough and can allow some chemicals to seep through.

When preparing dilute acids, always add the concentrated acid to water, never the other way around. This helps prevent dangerous heat development and potential splattering.

Broken glass should be handled with care, placed in designated containers, and never collected directly by hand. This is important for safety and to avoid potential injury.

A broken mercury thermometer requires immediate action. Step back, notify your lab instructor, and avoid direct skin contact with the spilled mercury. Prolonged exposure to mercury vapor can be harmful.

Minor cuts and burns should be treated promptly. Wash the affected area with soap and water, and cool it down quickly. Notify your lab instructor for further guidance and potential treatment.

If a reagent spill occurs, notify your lab instructor immediately to assess the situation and ensure proper cleanup and safety measures. Consider hazards associated with the reagent itself and potential secondary dangers.

A fire hazard should be addressed with immediate action to remove individuals from danger, move flammable materials, and shut off equipment. In case of a large fire, evacuate the lab and building, and follow the instructor's instructions.

To extinguish a fire on a person, instruct them to stop, drop to the floor, and roll to smother the flames. This prevents further burning and reduces the risk of inhalation injuries.

In case of accidental reagent ingestion or inhalation, seek immediate medical assistance from a qualified healthcare professional. Timely intervention is crucial for mitigating potential health risks.

Before starting any work in the lab, ensure you are wearing appropriate protective gear, including gloves, to protect your skin and prevent potential contamination.