Lab Lec 1a - Laboratory Rules and Safety Precautions

LABORATORY RULES
AND
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Bicol University
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE
Department of Chemistry
and
Laboratory Instrumentation Office
What’s wrong
with this
picture?.....
“I didn't mean to."
"It wasn't my fault."
Two statements that have no

place in the lab.
If someone is hurt or an
equipment is broken, these words
cannot undo the harm.
To ensure that safe and
orderly laboratory
environment is maintained,
EVERYONE should read and
follow these laboratory rules
and safety precautions.
Laboratory Rules
Laboratory Rules
#1
You should prepare for each
laboratory lesson by reading all
instructions before you come to
class.
It is necessary that you should
understand what is to be done
before starting an experiment.
Laboratory Rules
#2
Do not perform
any unauthorized
experiment.
Laboratory Rules
#3
All accidents should

be reported to the
instructor, no matter
how minor.
Laboratory Rules
#4
Avoid wasteful use of reagent, fuel
gas, water, and materials of any kind.
Take only the amount of materials
needed.
Do not return excess chemicals in
the supply bottle unless so directed.
Laboratory Rules
#5
Save useful products/

by-products in clean,
labeled containers as
directed by the
instructor.
Laboratory Rules
#6
Avoid contamination of
reagents.
Never insert any object into
the reagent bottle unless
allowed by your instructor to
do so.
Laboratory Rules
#7
Do not bring reagent bottles

to your working areas.
They must be returned
promptly to their proper
places.
Laboratory Rules
#8
All glassware and

equipment borrowed from the
Instrument / Supply Room
should be returned CLEAN
and DRY at the end of the
laboratory period.
Laboratory Rules
#9
Handle all equipment with care.
Request assistance from the
laboratory instructor on the proper
handling and use of equipment in
case you are not familiar with its
use.
Laboratory Rules
# 10
Deposit insoluble refuse

such as pieces of paper, wood,
glass cork, etc. in waste cans.
NEVER in the sink or on

the floor.
Laboratory Rules
# 11
Solids, water, or other

liquids spilled on the working
table MUST be cleaned
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Laboratory Rules
# 12
Dispose liquid wastes into the

sink by flushing down the drain
with plenty of water.
If large amounts are to be
disposed, they should NOT be
poured down the drain.
Laboratory Rules
# 13
Liquid wastes that are corrosive,

flammable or strong producing
toxic vapor MUST be flushed
down the drain with plenty of
water.
Laboratory Rules
# 14
Before leaving the

laboratory, always see to it that
the water and gas cocks are
turned off and that the
working area and vicinity are
clean.
Laboratory Rules
# 15
Eating, drinking and

smoking inside the
laboratory are
PROHIBITED.
Laboratory Rules
# 16
Only laboratory manuals and

notebooks are permitted in the
working area.
Other books, purses/bags and
such items should be placed in
your desk or storage area.
Laboratory Rules
# 17
NEVER work ALONE in

the laboratory.
You should only work in the
laboratory while under the
supervision of your instructor
and within your assigned class.
Laboratory Safety
Precautions
Laboratory Safety Precautions
#1
Wear laboratory gowns, goggles, and
closed shoes every time you are
performing an experiment.
Always have mask and gloves available,

which will be needed in certain
experiments. You will be told by your
instructor to use them in such cases.
Personnel Protective Equipment
#2
Contact lenses should NOT

be worn in the laboratory
because there is a distinct
possibility that chemicals may
infuse under the contact lenses
and cause irreparable eye
damage.
#3
Long hanging
necklaces, bulky jewelry
and excessive clothing
should not be worn in
the laboratory.
#4
Everyone should be alert and
proceed with caution at all times.
Take care not to bump another
student and remain in your
working area while performing an
experiment.
An unattended experiment can
produce an accident.
#5
Handle the apparatus while

performing the experiment at
arm’s length from the body.
NEVER directly from the
face.
#6
NEVER taste chemicals.

NEVER touch chemicals with your
hands.
Taste chemicals only when so
directed by the laboratory instructor or
as specified in the procedure.
#7
In smelling a substance,
hold the container at a
distance and waft the fumes
toward your nose with
cupped hand.
#8
All experiments
producing or developing
heavy or toxic vapors
should be performed
under the fume hood.
#9
NEVER use cracked

or broken equipment.
# 10
If chemicals are spilled on

clothing or any part of your
body, particularly the eyes,
wash the affected area with
plenty of water.
# 11
During mixing between

concentrated acid with
water, always ADD
ACID TO WATER.
Handle concentrated
acids with care.
# 12
Use a towel to protect

hands when glass rods, glass
tubings or thermometers are
being inserted into or
removed from stoppers.
# 13
Everyone should recognize and

heed all safety symbols and cautions
incorporated into the procedures of
the laboratory experiments, and in
the labels of the reagents.
Hazard Assessment:
Chemical Reactivity
# 14
You should know the locations and
operations of all safety control equipment:
SAFETY SHOWERS
FIRE BLANKETS
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
FIRST AID KITS
SAND BUCKETS
WASTE CONTAINERS
FUME HOOD
What should be done in the event of a spill?
• If a chemical has
splashed on you, or on
another lab member,
immediately wash it
off with copious
amounts of water, for
at least 15 minutes.
• Call for medical
attention only after
washing.
If there is a fire…
If you ever have to use an extinguisher,

think P-A-S-S.
P -- pull the pin

A -- aim the hose at the base of the fire
S -- squeeze the handle
S -- sweep the hose back and forth
Engineering Control:
Chemical Fume Hoods
Fume Hood Guidelines
• Before starting an experiment, know all

the physical, chemical, and toxicological
properties of all the materials with
which you will be working.
• Prior to using the hood, verify that the

exhaust system is operational.
• Work at least 4 - 6”
from sash.
• Lower the sash to the
lowest practicable
position.
•Keep hood surfaces clear

and baffles unobstructed
to allow proper airflow.
•Airflow in a fume hood

is easily disrupted; do
not use the fume hood
for storage!
• Use the sash

as a shield.
Always remember our thrust:
SAFETY
FIRST
ENJOY YOUR SEMESTER!
REFERENCES:
Professor M. Kostic's Web Site: www.kostic.niu.edu
*Usage Policy & © Copyright by M. Kostic
http://ehs.clemson.edu/
http://imgs.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2001/01/28/bu_laminarairfault.jpg
http://public.sd38.bc.ca:8004/~pthackwray/
http://nobel.scas.bcit.ca/debeck_pt/science/safety.htm#glassware
http://delloyd.50megs.com/hazard/labsafety.html
http://www.unb.ca/safety/generalpolicy.html

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LABORATORY RULES

"It wasn't my fault."

Two statements that have no

All accidents should

Save useful products/

Do not bring reagent bottles

All glassware and

Deposit insoluble refuse

NEVER in the sink or on

Solids, water, or other

Dispose liquid wastes into the

Liquid wastes that are corrosive,

Before leaving the

Eating, drinking and

Only laboratory manuals and

NEVER work ALONE in

Always have mask and gloves available,

Contact lenses should NOT

Handle the apparatus while

NEVER taste chemicals.

NEVER use cracked

If chemicals are spilled on

During mixing between

Use a towel to protect

Everyone should recognize and

If you ever have to use an extinguisher,

P -- pull the pin

• Before starting an experiment, know all

• Prior to using the hood, verify that the

•Keep hood surfaces clear

•Airflow in a fume hood

• Use the sash

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