Safety Regulations for Science Students
While working in the science laboratory, you will have certain important responsibilities that do not apply to other classrooms. You will be working with materials and apparatus that, if handled carelessly or improperly, have the potential to cause injury or discomfort.
A science laboratory can be a safe place to work if you, the student, are foresighted, alert, and cautious. The following practices will be followed:
Before the Lab
1.Know the location and use of the emergency equipment such as shower, eye and face wash fountain, fire blanket, and fire extinguisher.
2.Ask permission before entering laboratory storage or teacher workrooms.
3.Ask permission before bringing food or drink to the lab, and never eat or drink from laboratory equipment.
4.Dress in a way that is laboratory safe so that clothing, jewelry or hair are kept away from the lab equipment and chemicals.
5.Place books, purses, and such items in the designated storage area.
During the Lab
6.Follow written and verbal instructions carefully and perform only those laboratory activities for which the teacher has given instructions and permission.
7.Wear safety goggles during hazardous experiments involving caustic/corrosive chemicals, open flames, and other activities that may injure the eyes.
8.Keep work areas clean.
9.Avoid contact with chemicals by never tasting or touching chemicals (unless prior approval is given), by sniffing cautiously from a distance, by keeping your hands away from your face and eyes, and by washing your hands thoroughly at the conclusion of the laboratory period.
10.Lubricate the stopper hole and glass tubing with grease to ease insertion, using towels for hand protection. Carefully twist (never push) glass tubing into the stopper hole.
11.Take only as much chemical as you need so that waste is minimized.
12.Check labels and equipment instructions carefully. Be sure correct items are being used in the proper manner.
13.Use a burner with extreme caution by keeping your head and clothing away from the flame, by not heating an object or substance unless specifically instructed to do so, by not looking down into the tube or pointing the tube in the direction of any student while heating, and by turning the flame off when not in use or attendance.
After the Lab
14.Follow teacher's instructions when returning unused chemicals.
15.Dispose of waste properly by following directions for toxic disposal and by placing solid waste in the wastebasket and liquid waste in the sink.
16.Pull an electric plug by the socket not the cord.
17.Clean your work area and return all equipment and materials to the appropriate storage places.
In Case of an Accident
18.Report any accident to the teacher immediately, no matter how minor. This includes a burn, scratch, cut or spill of corrosive liquid on the skin or clothing.
19.In case of a burn from an acid or alkali, wash the effected area immediately with plenty of running water. If the eye is involved, irrigate it without interruption for a least 15 minutes.
20.Remove all broken glass from the work area or floor as soon as possible. Never handle broken glass with bare hands; use a counter brush and dustpan.