Safety in the Chemistry Laboratory s1

Safety in the Chemistry Laboratory

The chemistry laboratory is a place to experiment and learn. You will be working with equipment and materials that can cause harm if they are improperly handled. You must assume responsibility for your own safety and the safety of others working near you in the laboratory. Accidents most often happen because of carelessness, haste, and not following safety rules. You can help prevent accidents by closely following the instructions in your experiment and given by your teacher.

Safety rules for the laboratory are listed in the laboratory Safety Agreement. Before beginning any work in the laboratory study these rules. When working in the lab follow the rules at all times. If you have any questions about the rules, ask your teacher before starting lab work.

First Aid in the Laboratory

Report all accidents, injuries and spills to your teacher immediately.

Be sure you know: Safe laboratory techniques for your experiment Where and how to report an accident, injury or spill The location of first aid equipment, fire alarm, phone, eye washes, safety shower, fire extinguisher, fire blanket Evacuation Procedures

Injury Safe Response Burns Flush with water. Call your teacher immediately. Cuts and Bruises Wash the cut with clean water. Call your teacher immediately. Severe Bleeding Apply pressure or a compress directly to the wound. Call your teacher immediately. Fainting Provide the person with fresh air. Call you teacher immediately. Have the person recline so that their head is lower than the rest of their body. Fire Remove source of oxygen from the fire. For a container fire, place a cover on the container. For a person on fire, wrap him/her in a fire blanket. Call your teacher immediately. Foreign Matter in Eye Use the eyewash to flush the eye with lots of water. Be sure to keep the eye open. Call your teacher immediately. Spills on skin Flush with plenty of water or use the safety shower. Call your teacher. Acid Spills If a small spill, dilute with water and wipe up immediately. If a larger spill apply

baking soda, NaHCO3, and call your teacher. Base Spills If a small spill, dilute with water and wipe up immediately. If a larger spill apply

boric acid, H2BO3, and call your teacher.