Overview
This lecture covers essential chemistry lab safety rules, equipment handling procedures, and emergency responses to ensure a safe and productive laboratory experience.
Chemical Handling Safety
- Always use small, easily controlled containers for chemicals.
- Only mix chemicals when instructed by your teacher.
- Read experiment instructions and chemical labels carefully before use.
- Note chemical concentration and hazard warnings on labels.
- Always add acid to water (not water to acid) to dilute acids safely.
- Use a work tray to contain spills and keep stoppers between your fingers, not on the bench.
- Never taste or directly smell chemicals; waft vapors if permitted.
- Handle volatile chemicals in a fume hood as advised.
- Use clean glassware and avoid contaminating chemical bottles.
- Dispose of excess chemicals in designated waste containers—not back in bottles.
- Use pipet fillers, not your mouth, to draw chemicals.
- Report spills immediately and allow your teacher to clean them up.
- Clean work areas and wash hands after lab work.
Heating and Glassware Safety
- Only heat substances as instructed; never use Bunsen burners for volatile organics.
- Inspect gas hoses and glassware for cracks before use.
- Light Bunsen burners safely: turn gas on after lighting the match/striker.
- Adjust the flame for a blue inner cone; the tip of the inner cone is hottest.
- Turn off the gas if the flame sputters, goes out, or if you smell gas.
- Clamp narrow containers, use wire screens for flat-bottomed glassware.
- Heat test tubes at an angle, moving them through the flame and pointing away from people.
- Never heat closed containers—pressure can cause explosions.
- Handle hot glassware with tongs or heatproof gloves.
Thermometer Safety
- Do not shake laboratory thermometers; it is unnecessary and dangerous.
- Only use thermometers within their specified temperature range.
- Lay thermometers on a towel or wire screen away from edges.
- Broken thermometers, especially mercury ones, should be cleaned up by your teacher.
Centrifuge and Glass Tubing Safety
- Balance centrifuges with equal test tubes opposite each other.
- Never stop a centrifuge with your hand.
- Use an inserter or lubricated gloves to insert or remove glass tubing from stoppers.
Personal Protective Equipment and Dress Code
- Wear fitted, sturdy clothing—preferably cotton or wool—and a lab apron.
- Wear long pants/skirts and closed-toe leather shoes.
- Tie back long hair and remove rings, watches, and contact lenses.
- Always wear safety goggles with side shields.
- Use appropriate gloves when handling reactive chemicals.
Lab Conduct and Hygiene
- No horseplay; move cautiously to prevent accidents.
- Keep aisles and work areas clear of personal belongings.
- Do not eat, drink, or apply makeup in the lab.
- Read measurements at eye level using a step stool if necessary.
Emergency Procedures
- Notify your teacher of any injury or accident immediately.
- Wash cuts thoroughly; let your teacher apply bandages.
- Rinse chemical splashes from eyes in the eyewash station for at least 15 minutes.
- For large skin spills, use the safety shower and remove contaminated clothing.
- Extinguish small fires by covering or use a fire extinguisher (teacher-operated) for larger fires.
- For clothing fires, use a safety shower or stop, drop, and roll with a fire blanket.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Volatile chemical — a substance that easily forms vapors at room temperature.
- Fume hood — a ventilated enclosure for safely working with hazardous fumes.
- Bunsen burner — a common gas burner for heating substances in the lab.
- Eyewash station — a device for rinsing out eyes exposed to hazardous chemicals.
- Safety shower — an emergency shower to rinse chemicals from the body.
- Centrifuge — a machine that spins samples to separate solids from liquids.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review and memorize all lab safety rules.
- Ensure appropriate attire and safety equipment before the next lab session.
- Read the experiment procedure before arrival.