LABORATORY SAFETY GUIDELINES

NAME_____________BLK___

• Be controlled in the laboratory class. Never rush. Always be prepared to stop quickly.
• Report all injuries to the teacher regardless of how minor they are.
• Never carry hot equipment or dangerous chemicals through a group of students.
• If chemicals are spilled, do not clean them up yourself. Notify the teacher and keep other students away.
• Never perform unauthorized experiments. Do only what is outlined in the procedure.
• Know the position of the fire alarm. It is _____________________ ______________. Don’t hesitate to use it if you see a fire or poisonous vapour threatening.
• Know the position of the fire blanket. It is ___________________ _____________. If someone’s clothing catches on fire, smother them with the blanket.
• Know the position of the fire extinguisher. It is ________________ _____________. Do not attempt to extinguish a fire unless you are trapped.
• Beware of what appears to be water on lab benches. It could be a corrosive or poisonous liquid.
• People with long hair must tie it back when using Bunsen Burners.
• Never leave a colourless Bunsen flame anattended. If you must, decrease the air supply to the flame to make it visible.
• When pulling an electrical plug from a socket, pull the plug rather than the cord. Report frayed cords to the teacher.
• Report sharp edges on mirrors, prisms, slides, etc. to the teacher so that they can be removed.
• Be careful to clean up all shards of broken glass in the event of an accident. Use a dustpan and brush, and put the broken glass in the garbage can for broken glass only. (NOT the wastepaper bin)
• Never dispose of chemical waste down the sink unless the teacher has said it’s OK.
• Do not enter the lab prep rooms unless accompanied by a teacher.
• Never use the electrical outlets and water at the same time.
• Wear safety glasses when performing chemical experiments.
• Never taste the chemicals, or eat or drink in the lab during a lab period.
• Always waft odours towards your nose with your hand. Never breathe them directly from the source.
• Wash your hands with soap and water after every lab exercise.
• Treat a test tube, when you’re heating its contents, like a loaded gun. Never point it at anyone. Never have it more than half full.
• If something caustic touches your skin, rinse the area with lots of water. Do not use soap.
• Know the location of the emergency eye-wash. It is _____________ ______________. If an irritant gets in your eye, use the eye-wash station to rinse your eye for at least 15 minutes, without interruption. Keep your eyes open.
• If your wear contact lenses, notify the teacher.
• For dissections, use a sharp scalpel and always cut away from yourself.

“I understand and will adhere to these guidelines. If I ignore these rules, I understand that I will be removed from the laboratory; possibly on a permanent basis.”

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(Student’s signature)