Lab Safety Flashcards
General lab Safety rules
Clear your lab space before and after labs.
Long hair should be tied back and ensure you are not wearing anything that might accidentally touch lab materials (ex. Long chain)
If designing your own experiment, you MUST first have your procedure approved by your teacher.
Do not wear contact lenses on lab days
Handling Chemicals
All chemicals in the laboratory are to be considered dangerous.
Avoid handling chemicals with fingers. Do not taste, or smell any chemicals.
Check the label on all chemical bottles twice before removing any of the contents. Take only as much chemical as you need.
Never remove chemicals or other materials from the laboratory area
Look for WHMIS or HHPS symbols on containers.
Safety Devices Used for Fires
Fire blanket
Wrap around burning object or person to suffocate/extinguish the flames
e.g. hand or arm on fire
Fire Extinguisher
Used to suffocate and extinguish flames on the floor or counter.
Directed at flames from a 2m distance
Use PASS acronym
(Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep)
Material Safety Data Sheet
contains information on the potential hazards and how to work safely with the chemical product.
The MSDS contains much more information about the material than the label.
MSDSs are prepared by the supplier or manufacturer of the material.
what does MSDS tell us?
what the hazards of the product are
how to use the product safely
what to expect if the recommendations are not followed
what to do if accidents occur
how to recognize symptoms of overexposure
what to do if such incidents occur.
Every material that is controlled by WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) must have an accompanying MSDS that is specific to each individual product or material
Handling Glassware
Do not use dirty or chipped glassware.
Clean drips off the sides of beakers and flasks for the safety of the next student.
Broken glass should be reported to the teacher who will dispose of it in the “Broken Glass” container.
Do not tightly stopper a flask where gas is being created. It could explode.
Clean and return all glassware at the end of the lab.
Heating Substances
Never leave a heat source unattended.
Tie back long hair.
Do not wear loose or baggy clothing in the lab.
Hot glass does not look hot! Handle recently heated glassware with tongs.
Do not immerse hot glassware in cold water.
The glassware may shatter.
Never look into a container that is being heated.
Safety Equipment
Safety goggles must be worn whenever there is the potential for eye damage.
Goggles must always be worn when heat or corrosive chemicals are used.
Know the locations of all safety equipment in the lab: fire extinguishers, eye wash station, first aid box, fire blanket, fire exits.
Accidents & Injuries
Inform a teacher if someone requires assistance.
If chemicals are spilled on skin or in eyes, rinse with water for 20 minutes.
If you break something or spill something, please inform a teacher immediately.
Do NOT handle broken glass!
If a fire starts, inform a staff member immediately – STOP… DROP… ROLL!!!
When the Lab is Done…
Dispose of chemicals and materials only as instructed by your teacher.
Clean all glassware and put everything away according to instructions.
Wipe the counters clean with paper towels.
Sinks should be cleaned and should not contain any solid material.
Wash your hands and return your goggles.
