Overview
This lecture covers essential safety procedures, equipment handling, and proper behavior required for safe and effective work in a chemistry laboratory.
General Laboratory Safety
- Always follow safety rules and pay attention to instructions.
- Use small, controllable containers for chemicals.
- Only mix chemicals when instructed by your teacher.
- Read experiment instructions and chemical labels thoroughly.
- Wear appropriate protective clothing and equipment.
Handling Chemicals
- Add acid to water, never water to acid ("AA: Add Acid").
- Use work trays to contain spills.
- Hold stoppers between fingers, not on the bench.
- Keep chemicals away from your face; never taste or inhale directly.
- Use a fume hood for volatile chemicals.
- Use only clean glassware; never return unused chemicals to bottles.
- Dispose of chemicals in designated containers.
- Use pipette fillers, not your mouth, to draw chemicals.
- Report spills to your teacher immediately.
Safe Equipment Use
- Check Bunsen burner hoses for cracks; use properly fitted equipment.
- Never heat volatile organics over a Bunsen burner; use a mantle or steam bath.
- Adjust Bunsen flame so it is blue with a light inner cone.
- Never heat closed containers.
- Handle hot glassware with tongs or gloves; treat all as if hot.
- Check glassware for cracks before use.
Thermometer & Glassware Safety
- Do not shake lab thermometers.
- Use thermometers within their temperature range.
- Let your teacher handle broken thermometers.
- Use lubricant or an inserter when placing glass tubing in stoppers; protect hands with gloves.
- Wash lubricants off glassware before use.
Centrifuge Safety
- Balance centrifuge with equally filled tubes.
- Never stop a centrifuge by hand.
Personal Protective Equipment and Attire
- Wear sturdy, natural fabrics and a lab apron.
- Wear long pants or skirts; closed leather shoes.
- Tie back long hair; remove rings, watches, and contact lenses.
- Always wear goggles with side shields and appropriate gloves.
Proper Lab Behavior
- No running, pushing, or fooling around in the lab.
- Keep aisles clear of belongings.
- Never eat, drink, or apply makeup in the lab.
Emergency Procedures
- Wash cuts and let your teacher apply a bandage.
- Rinse eyes with eyewash for at least 15 minutes if exposed to chemicals.
- Use the safety shower for large, corrosive spills; remove contaminated clothing.
- Cover small fires with lids; let teachers use extinguishers for larger fires.
- Use a safety shower or fire blanket for clothing fires, keeping flames away from the face.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Volatile Chemical — a substance that easily vaporizes and may require handling under a fume hood.
- Fume Hood — a ventilated enclosure for safely working with harmful chemical vapors.
- Bunsen Burner — a common lab heat source producing an open flame.
- Pipette Filler — a device for safely drawing liquids into a pipette without using your mouth.
- Centrifuge — equipment that spins samples to separate solids from liquids by density.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review lab-specific safety manuals and follow all lab safety protocols.
- Ensure you have appropriate lab attire and personal protective equipment for your next lab session.
- Complete any assigned readings on laboratory safety and equipment usage.