Lab Safety Notes PDF

Safety in the Laboratory Unit A – Section 1.1  Learn about lab safety & become Today aware of WHMIS guidelines. we are Brainstorm what you remember Read an MSDS sheet going Discuss lab equipment to  Most lab safety is common sense: Lab Safety 1) Read...

Safety in the Laboratory Unit A – Section 1.1  Learn about lab safety & become Today aware of WHMIS guidelines. we are Brainstorm what you remember Read an MSDS sheet going Discuss lab equipment to  Most lab safety is common sense: Lab Safety 1) Read instructions first (Personal 2) Listen to instructions Conduct) 3) Wear safety goggles 4) Don’t taste anything in the lab  It’s not enough to remember the rules for conducting a lab experiment safely – you need to understand WHY those rules exist Understandi Like any lesson in science, you’ll ng the rules remember it better if you – Understand the importance of the concept, or – Experience the concept first- hand Since I’d rather you not learn the importance of safety glasses by blinding yourself, focus on the WHY of the following rules.  Rule #1 – Wear the proper safety equipment QUESTION: – What safety equipment is mandatory for every lab, and what is optional? Rule #1 – Wear the proper safety equipment ANSWER: ✔ Safety glasses are mandatory, however, prescription glasses are an acceptable replacement ✔ ** Safety glasses must be worn on the face, not as a hair accessory, even if you find them uncomfortable. ** ✔ ** We strongly discourage you from wearing contact lenses into the lab, even if you are wearing safety glasses ** ✔ Lab coats are mandatory any time chemicals are being used (e.g. you don’t need them for a bio lab on microscopes) ✔ Closed-toe footwear is required – no sandals or flip flops ✔ Gloves are only needed during dissections, where you are likely to be handling a biohazardous specimen Rule #2 – Don’t eat or drink in the lab QUESTIONS: Suppose you know your three solutions are salt water, sugar water and vinegar, and that none of these substances will hurt you. Why should you still not taste them? Why is it not even a good idea to bring in a water bottle or chewing gum? Rule #2 – Don’t eat or drink in the lab ANSWERS: – We cannot guarantee that the solutions are pure, that the glassware is clean, or that there are no chips in the beaker – You shouldn’t stake your life on being 100% right about any experiment – You could reach for your water and get something else – You don’t want anything else on your lab bench other than the required materials – Even water can be a dangerous chemical if mixed with the right substance – Gum can absorb fumes and increase your chance of ingesting something Rule #3 – Leftover chemicals QUESTION: – What should be done with any used or unused chemical once they have been taken from the original container (the source container)?  Rule #3 – Leftover Chemicals ANSWER: – ALWAYS put any chemicals you’ve taken from the stock beaker in the waste beaker OR If it is safe to do so; with the tap running to dilute it, you can pour it down the drain. WHY: – The chemicals could have been contaminated by something already in your beaker so it can never go back to the original container – The new chemical you made will have different properties – Some solutions, such as those containing heavy metals, will pollute local water supplies, or corrode the pipes  QUESTION: Rule #4 – – When should you wash your Wash hands in the lab? POSSIBLE ANSWERS: your – A) Before starting the hands experiment – B) After handling each chemical thoroughl – C) At the end of the lab activity y – D) Before you eat your lunch  Rule #4 – Wash your hands thoroughly CORRECT ANSWER: C) At the end of the lab activity unless you spill anything on your hands while you’re working, there’s no need to wash your hands in between each chemical you should wash your hands at the end, even if they appear clean, because some chemicals are invisible and others just plain stink.  Rule #5 – Clean up QUESTION: – Why should you check with your any teacher first before you clean something up? spilled substance POSSIBLE ANSWERS: – A) Because you should collect the s spilled liquid and try to reuse it – B) Because your teacher wants as immediate many reasons as possible to yell at you – C) Because there may be specific ly instructions for cleaning up that particular solution – D) Because your teacher spends less money on her clothes than you, so she doesn’t mind the risk Rule #5 – Clean up any spilled substances immediately CORRECT ANSWER: C) Because there may be specific instructions for cleaning up that particular solution For instance, if you spill an acid, we will first neutralize it with a basic solution (baking soda solution) if you spill a base, we will first neutralize it with an acidic solution (vinegar solution) some compounds should be diluted first before wiping them up some compounds stain your skin, and you don’t want to be known as the “splotchy kid”  Rule #6 – Pour chemicals properly QUESTION: – Which photo demonstrates the safe way of pouring chemicals?  Rule #6 – Pour chemicals properly ANSWER: – Actually, none of them! (Photo #3 is the safest) – If you spill something, immediate stop pouring and check for a break in your glassware – Precise measurements are made at eye level, not above or below your line of sight  Rule #6 – Pour chemicals properly ANSWER: – Don’t get your lab partner to hold on to your glassware while you pour – Especially with test tubes and graduated cylinders (which are narrow), never pour chemicals into containers held in your hands – place the container on the counter or use a test tube rack Rule #7 – Always listen to the teacher’s instructions QUESTION: – You should know what you’re doing in the lab BEFORE you go in, so what are some reasons why you should listen to the teacher’s instructions during the lab? Rule #7 – Always listen to the teacher’s instructions ANSWERS: – There may have been a change to the procedure due to a lack of supplies – There could be some kind of emergency – Because your teacher charges a “stupid question tax” of 5 marks if you ask her something that is in the lab procedure or was said out loud while you weren’t listening Rule #8 – Label any containers you put chemicals in QUESTION: One of these solutions is sugar water, one is an acid strong enough to dissolve concrete, and one will make you go blind if you drink it. Which is which?  Rule #8 – Label any containers you put chemicals in ANSWER: – Actually, they’re all water, but hydrochloric acid, methanol, and sugar water are all clear, colourless solutions indistinguishable by sight. SO? – Even if you think you can “keep track” of which substance is which, label your containers to minimize your risk, and your error  Rule #9 – What to do with broken glassware QUESTION: – What’s the proper procedure if you break glassware? ANSWER: – 1) Inform your teacher – 2) Make sure any other students in the area are alerted – 3) Your teacher will collect the large pieces, and we will sweep up the smaller pieces – 4) If necessary, we will neutralize any spilled liquid – 5) Broken glass goes in a special bin – do not simply throw it out into the garbage. Rule #10 – Safely detect the odor of a substance QUESTION: How should you go about safely detecting the odor of a substance? ANSWER: – You hold the container safely away from your face and use your hand to “waft” the scent towards your nose. WHY: – The smell may be too strong / irritating to get a nose-full – You should never put your face directly over a container in case of splattering or fumes Rule #11 – Tie hair back and roll up loose sleeves Rule #11 – Tie hair back and roll up loose sleeves QUESTION: What are three reasons why it could be dangerous to have long hair or loose sleeves unsecured? ANSWER: Both hair or clothing could catch on fire Loose sleeves can knock over glassware, resulting in broken glass or spilling harmful chemicals Both hair and clothing can absorb chemicals and further exacerbate a chemical burn/ irritation  Rule #12 – Mixing Acids and Water QUESTION: What’s the proper way of mixing an acid and water? POSSIBLE ANSWERS: A) Pour the acid into the water – it’s less likely for acid to splash out of the container B) Pour the water into the acid – you’re less likely to get acid on your hands this way C) It doesn’t matter what order you mix two chemicals in, the result will be the same.  Rule #12 – Mixing Acids and Water CORRECT ANSWER: A) Pour the acid into the water – it’s less likely for acid to splash out of the container You always pour any acids into water rather than vice versa because it's much more likely that the liquid being poured into will splash out of the beaker. If it's just water, then it’s not a problem; but if acid gets on your clothes or hands you can get burned badly. Rule #12 – Mixing Acids and Water There’s one other good reason why acid goes in water, and not vice versa - If you add water to acid, the first drops of water will react exothermically with the acid, and bubble all over like it’s boiling (very dangerous!) If you add the acid to the water, the acid reacts/ mixes completely with the water and dissipates. Rule #13 – Using Distilled Water instead of tap water QUESTION: What are three reasons why you get more accurate results if you use distilled water instead of tap water? ANSWER: ❑ Tap water will have salts dissolved in it that can skew your results ❑ Tap water is not necessarily neutral – in fact at O’Leary it has a pH of about 8.5 ❑ Tap water comes out at unpredictable rates, distilled water is easier to control the flow  Safety symbols Two different systems of safety symbols have been developed to warn users of potential hazards HSHS WHMIS What does the acronym Household Safety Hazard Workplace Hazardous stand for? Symbols Materials Information System Where is it used? For household products In labs & industry (people (the average consumer) with some understanding of chemistry) Number of symbols 3 8 Colour coded? Yes, three shapes and No, all symbols are in colours are used to circles and are printed in indicate degree of hazard black or red  HSHS Household Safety Hazard Symbols Each hazard symbol displays: – The degree of hazard by the shape and color of the border CAUTION WARNING DANGER Yellow inverted Orange diamond Red octagon triangle LOWEST HAZARD HIGHEST HAZARD The symbol inside describes the type of hazard. Example – A skull (poison) inside a red octagon requires only 1g of poison to kill a 200lb man. A skull in a yellow triangle requires 30g.  WHMIS - purpose To ensure that all work places across Canada that work with hazardous chemicals have a standardized way for handling and labeling toxic chemicals. Provides: – hazard identification – product classification ways of safely storing and organizing chemicals – labeling methods & material safety data sheets – standardized worker training and education Workplace Hazard Materials Information System Page 8  MSDS: Material Safety Data Sheets MSDS sheets are provided by the manufacturer & identify the chemical & physical hazards associated with each substance including: melting and boiling points, toxicity, health effects, first aid, spill and clean up procedures.  Reading an MSDS Do minds on activity… Reading an MSDS. See Figure A1.5 (pg. 9). Work with a partner. Minds On… Reading an MSDS 1. List 3 synonyms for the name “bleach.” 2. Bleach solution has 2 ingredients. What are they? Which of these are hazardous? 3. Find the hazard identification section. Under “Emergency Overview,” there is a short summary. Find the summary and record it. 4. Read the list of potential health effects. Copy down the potential health effect caused by eye contact. 5. Fine the section under “First Aid Measures” and record the instructions for what to do in case of eye contact.  Minds On… Reading an MSDS 6. If a fire were to break out near bleach, should the bleach itself be considered a fire hazard? What special equipment is required to fight a fire in which bleach is present? 7. Suppose someone drank bleach. Should the first aid procedure include inducing vomiting to get the solution out of the person? What other treatments are possible? 8. Find out what is meant by the term “chronic exposure."  Safety Apparel You must always wear protective eyewear! You must always wear shoes in the lab. The shoes must COMPLETELY cover the foot (no sandals or open-toed shoes allowed). You may not wear loose clothing in the lab. This type of clothing can easily be dragged through a burner flame or beaker of chemicals. Long hair must be pinned up or otherwise restrained.  NEVER put broken glass or metal in a trash can! Chemicals should be disposed of according to instructions for each chemical. NEVER put chemicals in the trash cans or sinks. No food or drink.  If you get any lab chemicals on your hands or elsewhere on you, rinse the effected area immediately with water. Before leaving the lab, ALWAYS wash your hands THOROUGHLY! Take only what you need from a container of reagent. If you accidentally take too much, do not return the excess to the container! Instead, try to share it with your classmates or take the excess to the instructor.  If you engage in unauthorized and/or careless work, you may be expelled from the lab, either for the day or permanently! Never leave an experiment unattended.  In the event of any accident or injury, no matter how minor, notify the teacher Learn the locations of all safety equipment: fire extinguishers, eyewash stations, showers, and fire blankets. Never… Smell anything directly. Use your hand to gently waft fumes towards your nose. Taste anything in the lab. Taste is not an observation used in high school science! Put chemicals near flame unless directly told to do so. Lean over your experiment when adding one chemical to another.  Hair not tied up Safety glasses not on Loose clothing Acetone is flammable Natural gas hose is taught What’s wrong here? Lab Safety Lab Safety Rap  Our Lab Safety *Safety station is in the Science Lab. *Fire extinguisher is beside the door. *Fire blanket is behind the desk. Use for extinguishing small, starting fires. Clothes on fire, wrap the blanket around the person. *Fire exit route from the laboratory is by the door. Exit left, and go downstairs. Meet out past the basketball courts.  Our Lab Safety School policy on laboratory aprons –wear them at all times. School policy on eye protection –wear goggles at all times even if wear eye glasses. School policy on long hair & Bunsen burners- tie hair back. First aid kit is located in the Lab.  Eyewash Eyewash is located in the Science Lab. To use-Push down on the paddle. Use the eyewash immediately if your eyes are exposed to a hazardous chemical. To use the eyewash: 1.Immediately flush eyes for at least 15 minutes. 2.Keep the eyes open & rotate the eyeballs in all directions to remove contamination from around the eyes.  Corrosive Substance If a corrosive substance is spilled treat with lots of cold running water. Never put anything but cold water on a burn!  Small & Large Cuts For a small cut Wash the injury thoroughly with water. Notify the teacher For a large cut To stop or slow down bleeding, apply pressure to the wound. Notify the teacher  Lab Equipment Beaker: used to heat and measure liquids NOT Test tube: used to heat or seal liquids using a stopper Bunsen burner: used to heat chemicals in test tubes or beakers using an open flame Erlenmeyer flask: used to heat or seal liquids using a stopper  Test tube clamp: used to hold a test tube during heating or measuring Scoopula: used to transfer chemicals from the reagent bottle to another measuring device Buchner funnel: used with filter paper to separate the filtrate from the liquid Graduated cylinder: used to measure the volume of a liquid. Keep the bumper ring near the top to prevent breakage if it tips over.  Mortar & pestle: used to grind substances into a fine powder or pulp Crucible tong: used to pick up and hold items that are too hot to handle Watch glass: used to mix small amounts of powders or liquids Pipette: used to add fluid to an experiment Bulb: used to draw fluid into the pipette  Weigh boat: used to weigh powders on a scale Safety goggles: protective eyewear used when conducting experiments Hot plate: used to heat liquids Burette clamp: fastened to a universal stand to hold test tubes and other apparatus Other Lab Equipment Medicine dropper: used to add small amounts of liquid to an experiment Iron ring clamp: fastened to support various apparatus on the universal stand Voltmeter: used to measure voltage Ampmeter: used to measure frequency Spot plate: Used to separate miniscule amounts of liquid  Tweezers: used to pick up miniscule items (e.g.,fibers). Funnel: used to filter Test tube rack: used to hold test tubes in an upright position during an experiment Test tube brush: used to clean test tubes  Complete the WHMIS & HHDS worksheets (p. 7- 12 of note pack) ✓ Read pages 3 – 11 ✓ A1.1 Check and Reflect p.11 #’s 1, 7 & 11