Science SafetyGuidelines for Safety in the Science Classroom

Lab Safety

General Rules

Be Responsible

Follow all written and verbal instructions carefully. If you do not understand a direction or part of a procedure, ASK the teacher!!

No student may work in the laboratory without an instructor present.

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

Perform only those experiments authorized by the instructor.

General Rules

Be prepared for your work in the laboratory.

Horseplay, practical jokes, and pranks are dangerous and prohibited.

Work areas should be kept clean and tidy at all times.

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

General Rules

Be alert and proceed with caution at all times in the laboratory.

Dispose of all chemical waste properly.

Keep hands away from face, eyes, mouth and body while using chemicals or preserved specimens. Wash your hands with soap and water after performing all experiments.

Experiments must be personally monitored at all times.

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

General Rules

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.

Handle all living organisms used in a laboratory activity in a humane manner. Preserved biological materials are to be treated with respect and disposed of properly.

When using knives and other sharp instruments, always carry with tips and points pointing down and away. Always cut away from your body. Never try to catch falling sharp instruments. Grasp sharp instruments only by the handles.

Clothing and PPE

Any time chemicals, heat, or glassware are used, students will wear laboratory goggles. There will be no exceptions to this rule!

Contact lenses should not be worn in the laboratory unless you have permission from your instructor.

Dress properly during a laboratory activity. Long hair, dangling jewelry, and loose or baggy clothing are a hazard in the laboratory. Long hair must be tied back and dangling jewelry and loose or baggy clothing must be secured. Shoes must completely cover the foot. No sandals allowed

Lab aprons have been provided for your use and should be worn during laboratory activities.

In case of an accident…

Report any accident (spill, breakage, etc.) or injury (cut, burn, etc.) to the instructor immediately, no matter how trivial it may appear.

If you or your lab partner are hurt, immediately yell out to get the instructor’s attention.

If a chemical splashes in your eye(s) or on your skin, immediately flush with running water from the eyewash station or safety shower for at least 20 minutes. Notify the instructor immediately.

Use fire blanket or fire extinguisher in the event of a fire.

Know where the fire alarm is in the event of an uncontrolled fire.

Fire Extinguisher

P – Pull the pin Most extinguishers use locking pin to prevent

inadvertent operation. Pulling the pin unlocks the operating level to allow discharge operation. A - Aim low

Point the extinguisher nozzle at the base of the fire. S - Squeeze the lever

A lever below the handle or some other type of triggering device must be engaged to release the extinguishing agent.

S - Sweep from side to side

Fire Blanket

Flame-retardant wool or other types of materials can be helpful in smothering small fires.

Fire blankets should be used in the event of a person’s clothing being on fire.

Never wrap a standing person on fire in a fire blanket. This can create a “chimney effect.”

Stop, Drop, and Roll!!!

Safety Shower

An eyewash and acid shower are necessary in case of a chemical exposure incident. ◦ Walk swiftly to the shower.   Do not run, you may lose your balance and fall, or

fling particles of the chemicals onto others.

◦ Turn on the shower full blast, and stand directly beneath the stream.

◦ Take off all of your clothes.   The embarrassment of nudity is nothing when compared to third degree chemical burns, corroded flesh, radioactive poisoning, etc. Whatever barrier you had against the exposure is now exposed, and must be removed immediately. Kick them to the side.

◦ Separate your legs and arms, so that there are no "hidden" parts or crevices of your body.

◦ Remain in the shower for longer than you think may be reasonable, even if any burning has subsided.

Fume Hood

A fume hood is an engineering control that provides local exhaust ventilation. It usually has a moveable front sash or window with safety glass.

The hood is essential in exhausting hazardous gases, particulates, vapors, etc. It protects both students and teachers form inhalation exposure.

Handling Chemicals

All chemicals in the laboratory are to be considered dangerous.

Do not touch, taste, or smell any chemicals unless specifically instructed to do so.

The proper technique for smelling chemical fumes will be demonstrated to you.

Check the label on chemical bottles twice before removing any of the contents. Take only as much chemical as you need.

Never return unused chemicals to their original containers.

Handling Chemicals

Never remove chemicals or other materials from the laboratory area.

In the event of a spill, let the instructor know immediately so they can determine the best plan for clean-up.

More dangerous spills will require the Chemical Spill Kit

Safety Symbols

Safety Symbols

References

Websites:◦http://www.lisgar.net/magwood/whmis.JPG

◦http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/lib/sde/pdf/curriculum/science/safety/science_safety.pdf

◦http://www.flinnsci.com/media/396468/safety_contract_hs.pdf

◦http://www.ehsexperts.com/portals/0/Images/sub-pages/NFPA-Fire-Diamond-Chemical-Hazard-2.png

Activity 1: Create a Safety Map

Create a Safety Map Sketch a map of the science lab noting the location of desks, lab benchesand other furniture.

On your map, locate each of the following safety equipment. Use the number to note the location of the equipment on your map.

 1. Fire extinguisher2. Fire blanket3. Fire alarm4. Safety goggles5. Aprons6. Eyewash station7. Exits8. Telephone9. Disposal container for broken glass10. Fume hood

Work with a partner. Each person needs to turn in a map. When done with the map, pick up a copy of the SpongeBob Safety Worksheet from the front table.

Activity 2: Lab Safety Scenarios

For each of the following scenarios, answer the following questions:◦What did the student(s) do wrong? ◦What should the student(s) have done instead?◦If necessary, what emergency actions should

be taken?

Lab Safety Situations

Lab Safety 1 A student in group 2

spilled alcohol on their lab table and wiped it up with paper towels. They threw the wet paper towels into

the garbage can.

Lab Safety 2

Paige, Mina, Tommy loved science class and could not

wait to begin their lab. Tommy lit the Bunsen burner

and stretched across the flame to give Mina a beaker.

Lab Safety 3 Terry was observing given a

sample substance. The element had a sweet smell. He decided to take a big smell of it. He decided to dip his finger

in it to check the taste.

Lab Safety 4

Austin and Karen had just completed the testing of

sample A. About that time, the bell rang to change

classes. Austin and Karen left for their next class.

Lab Safety 5

Sam was heating a chemical in a test tube. The tube fogged

over and he could not see that material in the tube. Sam

decided to look over into the tube with his goggles up on his

head.

Lab Safety 6

Lana finished the lab just as the class bell rang. She

knew that lunch was in one hour. She decided to wash her hands at that

time.

Lab Safety 7

While prying open a sample container, Rachel cut her hand. It was not bleeding bad so she wiped it with a

tissue she had in her pocket.

Lab Safety 8

While one group was cleaning up, they noticed a small crack in the test tube. They were afraid that they would get blamed with it and it was very small so they put it away with the others.

Lab Safety 9

John arrive to the science lab just after break. With his

unfinished pack of crackers in his pocket, he and his lab

partner begin the assignment as instructed by the teacher.

During the class, he finishes the crackers.

Lab Safety 10

When group 4 completed their lab practice early, they decided to perform

some experiments on the remaining chemicals.

Lab Safety 11

Zeke spilled the contents of a beaker on the floor. He

didn’t tell the teacher because he didn’t want to

get into trouble.