Lab Safety Rules

1. Lab Safety Rules “Lab safety is everyone’s responsibility”

2. Never “horse around” in the lab. • Read and follow all directions exactly as they are written. If in doubt, ask your teacher for help! • Always wear safety goggles whenever you are working with chemicals, fire, or other substances that might get into your eyes. • Never smell a chemical directly from the container. Wave your hand over the opening of the container and “waft” the fumes towards your nose. • Keep lids on bottles and containers when not in use.

3. Keep all materials (clothing, hair, papers, etc.) away from a flame or heat source. • Never reach across a flame. • Immediately notify your teacher if there is ever a chemical spill to find out what the proper course of action is. • Immediately notify your teacher if any chemical gets on your skin (or if you are injured in any way) to find out what the proper course of action is. • Never use broken or chipped glassware (or equipment).

4. Never look directly into a test tube when mixing or heating chemicals. • Always point a test tube away from you and others when heating it over a flame or other heating source. • Never mix chemicals (or perform tests) without your teacher’s permission. • Keep your work area clean. • Never taste a chemical unless you are instructed to by your teacher to do so. • Always clean up your work area and equipment after an experiment is completed. Equipment must be returned to its proper place.

5. Wash your hands before and after each experiment. • Never wear contact lenses. • Never heat a liquid in a closed container. • Test a heated container with the back of your hand prior to picking it up (or use mittens, tongs, etc.). Additional Safety Considerations