Overview
This lecture focused on essential safety protocols and best practices for working in a chemistry laboratory, emphasizing safe handling of chemicals, equipment, personal protection, and emergency procedures.
Chemical Handling & Safety Rules
- Always use small, manageable containers for chemicals.
- Only mix chemicals with teacher's approval and follow instructions precisely.
- Read and reread chemical labels, noting concentration and hazard warnings.
- Add acid to water, not water to acid (remember "AA: Add Acid").
- Use work trays to contain spills and move cautiously when handling chemicals.
- Never taste or directly smell chemicals; waft vapors if allowed.
- Handle volatile chemicals under a fume hood as instructed.
- Keep chemicals pure; never return unused portions to original bottles.
- Dispose of chemical waste in proper containers; never pour down the sink unless approved.
- Use pipet bulbs or pipetters, never your mouth, to draw chemicals.
- Report spills immediately; let the teacher clean them up.
Equipment Use & Heating Substances
- Inspect glassware for cracks or stars before use.
- Only heat open containers to avoid pressure buildup and explosion.
- Use a Bunsen burner safely: check hoses, light properly, and adjust for a blue inner flame.
- Never heat volatile organics with a Bunsen burner; use heating mantles or steam baths instead.
- Clamp narrow-neck containers and distribute heat evenly when heating test tubes.
- Handle hot glassware with tongs or heat-resistant gloves.
Thermometers & Glassware
- Do not shake laboratory thermometers.
- Use thermometers only within their specified temperature range.
- Lay thermometers safely away from the bench edge; let teacher clean up breaks.
- Use an inserter or lubricate and protect hands with gloves when placing glass tubing in stoppers.
Centrifuge Safety
- Balance centrifuge with equal test tubes before use.
- Never stop a spinning centrifuge with your hand.
Personal Protective Equipment & Clothing
- Wear fitted, natural-fiber (cotton or wool) clothing; avoid loose or synthetic garments.
- Use a lab apron and wear long pants or skirts for leg protection.
- Wear closed leather shoes; avoid cloth shoes.
- Tie back long hair and remove jewelry.
- Never wear contact lenses; always use goggles with side shields.
- Wear appropriate gloves when handling reactive chemicals.
Proper Behavior & Lab Hygiene
- Never run, push, or fool around in the lab.
- Keep aisles clear; store personal items away from work areas.
- Never eat, drink, or apply makeup in the lab.
Emergency Procedures
- Wash cuts with water and let teacher apply a bandage.
- Rinse chemical splashes from eyes at eyewash for 15 minutes; seek medical attention.
- Rinse non-corrosive chemicals from skin in the sink; use safety shower for corrosive spills.
- Extinguish small fires by covering; let teacher use extinguisher for larger fires.
- Use safety shower or fire blanket for clothing fires; seek immediate medical help for burns.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Volatile Chemicals — Substances that readily give off vapors at room temperature.
- Fume Hood — A ventilated enclosure for safely handling hazardous fumes.
- Bunsen Burner — A common laboratory gas burner for heating substances.
- Pipet Bulb/Pipetter — A tool to draw liquids into a pipet without using the mouth.
- Centrifuge — A device that separates mixtures by spinning test tubes rapidly.
- Eyewash Fountain — Apparatus for rinsing chemicals from eyes in an emergency.
- Safety Shower — Equipment for rinsing large chemical spills from the body.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Read lab instructions thoroughly before your next session.
- Gather required personal protective equipment as specified in lab guidelines.
- Review locations and operations of emergency equipment in your lab.