Safety in the Laboratory

Today we talked about laboratory safety. I feel that it is really important to ensure our own safety in the laboratory, especially because in the Chemistry module, we would be handling lots of different chemicals such as acids which are often corrosive.

Although it often seems like common sense not to do certain things in the Laboratory, there are times when these rules are neglected unknowingly. For example, we may not notice that the bunsen burner is near our belongings sometimes and this is rather dangerous . Thus we need to be situationally aware at all times.

Some of the important rules listed:

1) Do not take apparatus or chemicals out of the Laboratory without the permission of a teacher
2) Always wear safety goggles when mixing, heating or handling chemicals that could be harming the eyes
3) Long hair must be tied while in the Laboratory. Long fringes must be pinned up. PE short are not to be worn in the Laboratory
4) Never taste chemicals or other materials. No eating and drinking is allowed in the laboratory at all times
5) Always carry out reactions involving poisonous gases in the fume cupboard
6) Chemicals once removed from bottles, must not be put back into the bottles unless instructed to do so by the teacher. When using a dropper to add a reagent into a rest tube of chemical, do not put the dropper into the test tube so as to avoid contamination of the reagent
7) Do not litter in the laboratory
8) Remove broken glass from your bench or floor with a broom and a pan. Place the broken glass in the broken glass bin provided
9) Keep a lighted burner away from clothing, books or other combustibles. Lean away from top of Bunsen burner while it is being lit.
10) To smell the contents of a container, use a "wafting" action of the hand as demonstrated by your teacher
11) Always add acids to water slowly, carefully and with a gentle stirring action (solid glass rod only). This should generally be done in a large open beaker. Avoid overheating which often accompanies too rapid mixing. Acid into water, never the reverse.
12) Dispose waste chemicals properly according to instruction. Solid chemicals should be disposed into the bin. Organic, or toxic liquid chemicals should be disposed in the waste chemical bottle.

That's all!