AP Environmental Science LAB SAFETY POLICY
While working in the laboratory, you will have 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 serious injury.
A science laboratory can be a safe place to work, if you are alert, cautious, and follow directions with care. The following practices should be studied and kept in your notebook. Return the agreement slip signed by you and your parent/guardian tomorrow.
Never work in the lab without direct supervision.
Laboratory Preparation—Read the procedure and complete the pre-lab assignment before coming to class. Follow the directions and make note of any changes in procedure given.
Eye Protection---Wear safety goggles at all times when doing an experiment that involves chemicals. If a chemical splashes into your eye, use the eye wash fountain by irrigating your eye continuously for 15 minutes. Notify your instructor immediately.
Conditions of Work Area---Always maintain a work area that is free of books, coats, book bags, extra chemicals, and trash. No objects may be on the floor as this may cause someone to trip and fall. Cleanup spills immediately as directed by your teacher. Only lab manuals should be brought to the lab area. WASH YOUR LABORATORY AT THE END OF EACH EXPERIMENT.
Disposal of Waste Materials---Waste paper, towels, and other trash must be discarded in the wastebasket (not the recycle bin); waste chemicals in the labeled waste containers. Do not throw matches into wastebaskets except after running water over the matches.
Always neutralize acids before adding them to the waste container.
Solids must never be discarded in the sink.
Chemical Spills---A safety shower is located in the laboratory and should only be used to wash chemicals from your body if the sink is not sufficient. Contaminated clothing should be removed as soon as possible.
Fire on You or Your Lab Partner---STOP, DROP, AND ROLL. Someone should immediately retrieve a fire blanket to roll in. Never wrap a fire blanket around someone who is standing, as this will cause the fire to rise to the head and chest area. If you are near the safety shower, get under the shower instead.
Fire in the Laboratory---Notify the teacher immediately if any smoke or fire is seen and then follow instructions.
Accident Reports---Report any accident to the teacher immediately, no matter how minor it may seem. This includes any burn, scratch, cut or contact with corrosive liquid (acid or base). Also report any defective or broken equipment and other potential dangers at once. Most importantly, always remain calm.
Safety Stations---Know the locations of the emergency shower, eye fountain, fire extinguisher, safety goggle station, and exits.
Clothing/Hair---Clothing must be appropriate for working in the laboratory. Ties, jackets, and other loose clothing should be removed. Shoes, not sandals, must be worn in the lab. Long hair should be tied back when working in the lab.
Jewelry---Jewelry that might present a hazard, such as dangling necklaces or bracelets must be removed prior to working in the lab.
Food/Drink in the Lab---Eating, drinking, or chewing gum is prohibited in the laboratory. Never taste a laboratory chemical.
Laboratory Conduct---Be courteous and exercise common sense. Work quietly in the lab. Running, pushing, etc. will not be tolerated.
Unauthorized Experiments---Under no circumstances should you conduct any experiment other than those that have been assigned, unless you have discussed it me and have my permission.
Hands---Wash your hands in the sink before leaving the lab. Avoid touching your eyes or your face. Under no circumstances are you to apply make-up in class.
Electrical Appliances---Always remove an electrical plug by the plug and not the cord.
Glassware---Check all glassware for cracks before using. Broken equipment must be reported to the teacher immediately. Never handle broken glass with your hands. Use a brush and a dustpan to clean any glass. Dispose of glass in the proper container.
Unused Chemicals—Never return unused chemicals to the container unless specifically told to do so by your teacher.
Fumes---Avoid inhaling toxic fumes. Use the fume hood when instructed to do so,
Pouring Chemicals---Learn and use the correct techniques for pouring chemicals from the reagent bottle. Hold the glass stopper above the hand and between the index and middle fingers so that the same hand can grasp the bottle. Be sure to wipe off the sides of the regent bottle if any of the reagent spills down the sides during pouring.
Heating Substances---When heating a substance in a test tube, make sure that the tube is not pointed at you or anyone else. Be sure that the apparatus or equipment that you have heated is cool before handling it and do not try to remove hot equipment from one place to another.
NEVER ADD WATER TO ACID.
Bunsen Burners---Exercise caution when using a gas burner. Keep you head and clothing away from the flame and turn the burner off when not in use.
Apparatus---Always used the prescribed instrument (tongs, test tube holder, forceps) for handling apparatus or equipment.
Never put your face directly over a chemical container. When testing for odors, use a wafting motion to direct the odors to your nose.
Check the label on a reagent bottle before removing its contents. Read the label twice to be sure that you have the right bottle.
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D. Lippi
Lab Safety Guidelines