Lab Safety

If a laboratory fire erupts, immediately

• notify your instructor
•  run for the fire extinguisher
• throw water on the fire
•  open the windows

Approved eye protection devices (such as goggles) are worn in the laboratory

•  to avoid eye strain
• to improve your vision
• only if you don’t have corrective glasses
•  any time chemicals, heat or glassware are used

 If you do not understand a direction or part of a lab procedure, you should 

• skip it and go on to the next part.
• ask the instructor before proceeding
• try several methods until something works
• figure it out as you do the lab

You are heating a substance in a test tube. Always point the open end of the tube 

• away from all people
• toward another classmate
• toward your lab partner
• toward yourself

You have been injured in the laboratory (cut, burn, etc.). First you should

• apply first aid yourself
• tell the science instructor at once
• see a doctor after school
• visit the school nurse after class

When gathering glassware and equipment for an experiment, you should

•  All of the choices
• clean any glassware that appears dirty
• examine all glassware to check for chips or cracks
• read all directions carefully to know what equipment is necessary

Long hair in the laboratory must be 

• tied back or kept entirely out of the way with a hair band, hairpins, or other confining device
• always neatly groomed
• held away from the experiment with one hand
• cut short

In a laboratory, the following should not be worn. 

• all of the answers
• dangling jewelry
• sandals
• loose clothing

 The following footwear is best in the laboratory. 

• shoes appropriate for the weather
• open-toed shoes
• closed-toed shoes
• sandals

 Horseplay or practical jokes in the laboratory are 

• okay if you are working alone
• not dangerous
• okay
• always against the rules