LABORATORY SAFETY

PURPOSE

Science is a hands-on laboratory class. You will be doing many laboratory activities, which require the
use of hazardous chemicals. Safety in the science classroom is the priority for students, teachers, and
parents. To ensure a safe science classroom, a list of rules has been developed and provided to you in
this safety contract. These rules must be followed at all times. The contract must be signed by both you
and a parent or guardian before you can participate in the laboratory.

GENERAL RULES

1. Conduct yourself in a responsible manner at all times in the laboratory.

Never fool around, play practical jokes and pranks in the laboratory.
2. Laboratory gowns and goggles will be provided for your use and should be worn properly (buttoned)
at all times during a laboratory activity.
Long hair, dangling jewelry and open toed shoes, are a hazard in the laboratory. Long hair must be
tied back and dangling jewelry must be secured.
3. Never work alone.
No student may work in the laboratory without an instructor present and without authorization from a
BA science teacher.
4. Do not eat food or drink beverages in the laboratory.
Do not use laboratory glassware as containers for food or beverages.
5. Be prepared for your work in the laboratory.
When first entering a science room, do not touch any equipment, chemicals, or other materials in the
laboratory area until you are instructed to do so.
6. Observe good housekeeping practices.
Work areas should be kept clean and tidy at all times. Bring only your laboratory instructions,
worksheets, and/or reports to the work area. Other materials (books, purses, backpacks, laptops
etc.) should be placed on the assigned area in the laboratory.
7. Know the locations and operating procedure of all safety equipment including the first aid kit,
eyewash station, safety shower, and fire extinguisher. Know where the exits are located.
8. 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. Clean all work surfaces and
apparatus at the end of the experiment. Return all equipment clean and in working order to the
proper storage area.
9. Experiments must be personally monitored at all times.
You will be assigned a laboratory station at which to work. Do not wander around the room, distract
other students, or interfere with the laboratory experiments of others.
10. Students are never permitted in the science storage areas or preparation areas, NO EXCEPTIONS.
11. Know what to do if there is a fire and earthquake drill during a laboratory period.
Reagent bottles must be closed, gas valves turned off, and any electrical equipment turned off.
12. If you have a medical condition (e.g., allergies), check with your physician prior to working in lab.
ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES

1. Report any accident (spill, breakage, etc.) or injury (cut, burn, etc.) to the instructor immediately,
not matter how trivial it may appear.
2. If 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.
3. When mercury thermometers are broken, mercury must not be touched. Notify the instructor
immediately.

HANDLING CHEMICALS

1. 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.
2. Check the label on chemical bottles twice before removing any of the contents.
Take only as much chemical as you need.
3. Never use mouth suction to fill a pipet. Use a rubber bulb or pipet pump.
4. Acids must be handled with extreme care.
You will be shown the proper method for diluting strong acids. Always add acid to water, swirl
or stir the solution and be careful of the heat produced, particularly with sulfuric acid.
5. Take great care when transporting acids and other chemicals from one part of the laboratory to
another. Hold them securely and walk carefully.

HANDLING GLASSWARE AND EQUIPMENT

1. Examine glassware before each use.

Never use chipped or cracked glassware. Never use dirty glassware.
2. Never handle broken glass with your bare hands.
Use a brush and dustpan to clean up broken glass. Place broken or waste glassware in the
designated glass disposal container.
3. Do not immerse hot glassware in cold water; it may shatter.
4. When removing an electrical plug from its socket, grasp the plug, not the electrical cord.
Hands must be completely dry before touching an electrical switch, plug, or outlet.
5. Report damaged electrical equipment immediately.
Look for things such as frayed cords, exposed wires, and loose connections. Do not use
damaged electrical equipment.
6. If you do not understand how to use a piece of equipment, ask the instructor for help.

HEATING SUBSTANCES

1. Exercise extreme caution when using a gas burner.

Make sure that hair, clothing, and hands are a safe distance from the flame at all times. Do not
put any substance into the flame unless specifically instructed to do so. Never reach over an
exposed flame. Light gas burners only as instructed by the teacher.
2. Never leave anything that is being heated or is visibly reacting unattended.
Always turn the burner or hot plate off when not in use.
3. Do not place hot apparatus directly on the laboratory desk.
Always use an insulating pad. Allow plenty of time for hot apparatus to cool before touching it.
DISPOSAL AND CLEAN-UP

1. Carefully note the method of disposing chemicals in each activity and follow directions from your
teacher.
2. Unless directed otherwise, liquid chemicals are disposed in the sink with plenty of running water.
3. Excess solid chemicals are dissolved in liquid and disposed in the sink. Do not return excess
chemicals back to the reagent bottles.
4. Insoluble waste such as paper and broken glass are thrown in the waste basket.
5. Spills are to be cleaned up immediately to prevent accidents.
6. Before leaving the laboratory, make sure that you do the following:
a. Clean the equipment you have used.
b. Wipe your working table clean
c. Check that the water and gas outlets are closed.
d. Ensure that the apparatus and materials are kept in their respective storage.
 Safety Contract Agreement

STUDENT
I, _____________________________________________________ (Student’s name) have read and
agree to follow all of the safety rules set forth in this contract. I realize that I must obey these rules to
ensure my own safety, and that of my fellow students and instructors. I will cooperate to the fullest extent
with my instructor and fellow students to maintain a safe lab environment. I will also closely follow the
oral and written instructions provided by the instructor. I am aware that any violation of this safety
contract that results in unsafe conduct in the laboratory or misbehavior on my part may result in my being
removed from the laboratory. I may also receive work detail, and/or receiving a failing grade.

_____________________________________
Student signature

_____________________________________
Date

PARENT OR GUARDIAN
Dear Parent or Guardian:

We feel that you should be informed regarding the school’s effort to create and maintain a safe science
classroom/laboratory environment. With the cooperation of the instructors, parents, and students, a
safety instruction program can eliminate, prevent, and correct possible hazards. You should be aware of
the safety instructions your son/daughter will receive before engaging in any laboratory work. Please
read the list of safety rules above. No student will be permitted to perform laboratory activities unless this
contract is signed by both the student and parent/guardian and is on file with the teacher. Your signature
on this contract indicates that you have read this Student Safety Contract, are aware of the measures
taken to insure the safety of your son/daughter in the science laboratory, and will instruct your
son/daughter to uphold his/her agreement to follow these rules and procedure in the laboratory.

______________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature

______________________________________
Date

Student Allergies:

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Laboratory Operations

A. Transferring Solid Chemicals.

Solid substances are kept in reagent bottles. Dark-colored bottles are used to protect the chemicals
from light.
1. Reagent bottles can have a flat top or winged top for its stopper. For flat top, it should be laid
with the flat side to avoid contamination. For the winged-top, it is to be held between the fingers.
It is never laid on the table.
2. Solid chemicals are spooned out from the reagent bottle using a spatula.
3. For transferring chemicals to a small-mouthed container, a piece of paper is used.

Procedure: (See Figure 1)

1. Get a piece of clean paper. Fold it lengthwise.
2. Transfer the solid reagents to the edge of the paper.
3. Hold the test tube in a horizontal position, sliding the paper until it touches the container.
4. Incline the apparatus and tap the paper gently. This is to ensure that the solid substance is
deposited at the bottom of the test tube and not on the sides.

Figure 1. Transferring solids to a test tube

Image from: [Link]

B. Transferring liquid reagents.

The different techniques on transferring of liquid are dependent on the type of receiving container. The
following are the techniques in transferring reagents into different types of glassware.
1. When pouring a liquid reagent into a wide mouthed container, its neck must touch the rim of the
receiving vessel. A stirring rod may also be used to prevent the liquid from running down the outside
surface of the bottle. (Figure 2)

Figure 2. Transferring liquids using a stirring rod

Image from: [Link]

2. For transferring small amount of liquid samples, a medicine dropper or pipette is

used.
C. Heating Liquids and Solids

The following are some techniques on preparing a heating set-up

1. Use a hot plate in heating solids and liquids.

2. For solids, place the sample in an evaporating dish or crucible
3. Use an iron clamp to hold the flask when heating in a water bath. Make sure it is secure but not
too tight. Use another clamp to hang a thermometer. Make sure it does not touch the bottom of
the beaker. (Figure 4)

Figure 4. Heating a liquid in a beaker (a) and water bath (b) using a hot plate
Image from: [Link]

4. Heating a test tube

a. Use a test tube holder to hold a test tube with liquid or solid contents.
b. Gently place the test tube in a water bath and heat using a hot plate. (Figure 5)

Figure 5. Heating a substance in a test tube using a hot plate

Image from: [Link]