Lab Safety

General Safety Procedures

• Follow all instructions carefully• Do only experiments assigned by the

teacher. Never use chemicals in an unauthorized manor.

• Never work alone in the laboratory, and never work without the teacher’s supervision.

• Never eat, drink, chew gum or apply cosmetics in the laboratory. Do not store food in the lab area.

General Safety Procedures

• Approach laboratory work with maturity. Never act out in the lab.

• Keep your work area clean and uncluttered. Store books in designated areas.

• Dispose of used chemicals and their solutions only as directed by the teacher.

Turn off all electrical equipment, water and gas when not in use, especially at the end of the lab period.

General Safety Procedures

• Know the location and how to operate all safety equipment in the classroom, including fire extinguisher, fire blankets, sand, safety showers, eyewash fountains, and first aid kit.

• Do not use the sink to discard matches, filter paper, or other solid or slightly soluble materials.

Laboratory Apparel Precautions• Do not wear loose fitting sleeves, bulky

outerwear, clothes that bare the midriff, or open toe shoes.

• Tie back long hair.• Wear safety goggles when using

chemicals, hot liquids, lab burners or hot plates.

• Wear plastic gloves when working with poisonous, corrosive, or irritating chemicals.

Accident Procedures

• Report all accidents or injuries and all breakage or spills to the teacher immediately, no matter how minor.

• If a chemical spills on your skin or clothing, wash it off immediately with plenty of cool water and notify the teacher.

• If a chemical gets into your eyes or on your face, wash immediately at the eyewash fountain with plenty of water. Wash for at least 15 minutes and notify the teacher.

• Clean up all spills immediately.• Use a dustpan and a brush to clean up broken glass. • Use the wafting procedure for smelling chemicals. DO

NOT put your face directly over the chemical and inhale.

Lab Tour

Can you find the following safety equipment?• Fire Blanket• Fire Extinguisher• Broken Glass Container• Shower• Eye Wash Station• First Aid Kit• Goggles• Aprons• Gloves

Fire Safety

Extinguishing Fires

Fires can be extinguished by:• Smothering the flames with a fire

blanket or clothing. This removes the oxygen that the fire needs to continue burning.

• Using a fire extinguisher. This removes the heat from the fire.

• To use a fire extinguisher properly, pull the pin, aim it at the base of the fire, and sweep back and forth across the base.

Extinguishing Fires

• You need the correct type of fire extinguisher for the type of fire you are trying to control.

• **LHHS uses the Type ABC fire extinguisher.

Classes of Fires

CLASS A • Fires of ordinary combustibles that

leave coal or ashes• Examples are wood, paper, cloth• Use water or dry chemical

extinguishers

Classes of Fires

CLASS B• Fires of flammable liquids• Examples are gasoline or solvents• Use CO2 or dry chemical extinguishers• DO NOT use water – water is not

effective because it just spreads the liquid around.

Classes of Fires

CLASS C• Fires involving live electrical

equipment• Examples are appliances, copiers,

computers• Use CO2 or dry chemical extinguishers• DO NOT use water –could result in a

severe shock

Classes of Fires

CLASS D• Fires that involve burning metals• Examples are Na, K, Mg, Al• Use sand or salt to put these out• DO NOT use water – can cause a

violent reaction

Classes of Fires

CLASS E• Radioactive materials• Examples are uranium and plutonium• Special consideration is given at each

site

Types of Hazardous Waste

• Flammable Substances– Antifreeze, propane, gasoline

• Corrosive Solutions– Bleach, vinegar, drain cleaner

• Heavy Metal Solutions – Lead, sodium, aluminum

• Toxic Substances– Solvents, metals

Question & Answer

Q. Which is the ONLY type of solution that may be placed down the sink (with plenty of water)?

A. Corrosive solutions may be poured down the sink (as long as plenty of water is used to flush them down the drain)