Chemistry Lab Safety Rules

36th Rule

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.

31st Rule

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 wafting chemical vapors will be demonstrated to you.

12th Rule

Always work in a well ventilated area. Use the fum hood when working with volatile substances or poisonous vapors. Never place your head into the fume hood.

23rd Rule

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

13th Rule

Be alert and proceed with caution at all time in the laboratory. Notify the instructor immediately of any unsafe conditions you observe.

7th Rule

Be prepared for you work in the laboratory. read all procedures thoroughly before entering the laboratory.

40th Rule

Carry glass tubing, especially long pieces in a vertical position to minimize the likelihood of breakage and injury.

32nd Rule

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

1st Rule

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

24th Rule

Contact lenses may be worn provided adequate face and eye protection is provided by specially marked, non vented safety goggles. The instructor should know which students are wearing contact lenses in the event of eye exposure to hazardous chemicals.

14th Rule

Dispose of all chemical waste properly. Never mix chemicals in the sink drains. Sinks are to be used only for water and those solutions designated by the instructor. Solid chemicals, metals, matches, filter paper, and all other insoluble material are to be disposed of in the proper waste containers, not in the sink. Check the label of all waste containers twice before adding your chemical waste to the container.

5th Rule

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

48th Rule

Do not immerse hot glassware into cold water; it may shatter.

54th Rule

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.

25th Rule

Dress properly for lab activities. Long hair, dangling jewelry, and loose or baggy clothing are hazardous. Long hair must be tied back and dangling jewelry and loose or baggy clothing must be secured. Shoes must cover the entire foot. o sandal allowed.

45th Rule

Examine glassware before each use. Never use chipped or cracked glassware. Never use dirty glassware.

49th Rule

Exercise extreme caution when using a gas burner. Take care of 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 (or alcohol) burners only as instructed by the teacher.

17th Rule

Experiments must be personally monitored at all times. You will be assigned a laboratory station at which to to work. Do not wander around the room, distract other students, or interfere with the laboratory experiments of others.

43rd Rule

Fill wash bottles only with distilled water and use only as intended, e.g., rinsing glassware and equipment, or adding water to a container.

2nd Rule

Follow all written and verbal instructions carefully. If you do not understand a direction or part o a procedure, ask the instructor before proceeding.

20th Rule

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

37th Rule

Handle flammable hazardous liquids over a pan to contain spills. Never dispense flammable liquids anywhere near and open flame or source of heat .

52nd Rule

Heated metals and glass remain very hot for a long time. They should be set aside to cool and picked up with caution. Use tongs or heat protective gloves if necessary.

29th Rule

If a chemical splashes in your eyes 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.

47th Rule

If you do not understand how to use a piece of equipment ask the instructor for help.

22nd Rule

If you have a medical condition (e.g., allergies, pregnancy, etc.), check with your physician prior to working in lab.

28th Rule

If you or your lab partner are hurt, immediately yell out "code 1 code 1" to get the instructors attention.

42nd Rule

Inserting and removing glass tubing from rubber stoppers can be dangerous. Always lubricate glassware (tubing, thistle tubes, thermometers, etc.) before attempting to it in a stopper. Always protect your hands with towels or cotton gloves when inserting glass tubing into, or removing it from a rubber stopper. If a piece of glassware becomes "frozen" in a stopper, take it to your instructor for removal.

10th Rule

Keep aisles clear. Push you chair under the desk when not in use.

16th Rule

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

11th Rule

Know the location and operating procedures, where appropriate, for all safety equipment including first aid kit, eye wash station, safety shower, fire extinguisher, and fire blanket. Know where the fire alarm and exits are located.

19th Rule

Know what to do if there is a fire drill during laboratory period; containers must be closed, gas valves turned off, fume hoods turned off, and any electrical equipment turned off.

26th Rule

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

15th Rule

Labels and equipment instructions must be read carefully before use. Set up and use the prescribed apparatus as directed in the laboratory instructions or by your instructor.

8th Rule

Never fool around in the laboratory. Horseplay, practical jokes, and pranks are dangerous and prohibited.

41st Rule

Never handle broken glass with your bare hands. Use a brush and dustpan to clean up broken glass. Place broken glass or waste glassware in the designated glass disposal container.

50th Rule

Never leave a lit burner unattended. Never leave anything that is being heated or is visibly reacting unattended. Always turn the burner or hot plate off when not in use.

53rd Rule

Never look into a container that is being heated.

38th Rule

Never remove chemicals or other materials from the laboratory area.

33rd Rule

Never return used chemicals to their original containers.

34th Rule

Never use mouth suction to fill a pipet. Use a rubber bulb or pipet pump.

3rd Rule

Never work alone. no student may work in the laboratory without an instructor present.

9th Rule

Observe good housekeeping practices. Work area should be kept clean and tidy at all times. Bring only our laboratory instructions, worksheets, and/or reports to the work area. Other materials (books, purses, backpacks, etc.) should be stored in the classroom area.

6th Rule

Preform only those experiments authorized by the instructor. Never do anything in the laboratory tat is not called for in the laboratory procedures or by your instructor. Carefully follow all instructions, both written and oral. Unauthorized experiments are prohibited.

27th Rule

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

46th Rule

Report damaged electrical equipment immediately. Look for things such as frayed cords, exposed wires, and loose connections. Do not use damaged electrical equipment.

18th Rule

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

39th Rule

Take great care when transporting acids and other chemicals from one part of the laboratory to another. Hold them securely and walk carefully.

55th Rule

When bending glass, allow time for the glass to cool before further handling. Hot and cold glass have the same visual appearance. Determine if an object is hot by bringing the back of your hand close to it prior to grasping it.

4th Rule

When first entering a science room, do not touch any equipment, chemicals, or other material in the laboratory area until you are instructed to.

30th Rule

When mercury thermometers are broken, mercury must not be touched. Notify the instructor immediately.

44th Rule

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.

35th Rule

When transferring reagents(a substance or mixture for use in chemical analysis or other reactions) from one container to another, hold containers away from your body.

21st Rule

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

51st Rule

You will be instructed in the proper method of heating and boiling liquids in test tubes. Do not point the open end of a test tube being heated at yourself or others.