Safety in the Lab

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

• tucked into your shirt or labcoat

You have been injured in the laboratory (cut, burn, etc.). Your first step is to

• ask your lab partner to get the first aid kit

• tell your science teacher immediately

• see a doctor after school

• check in with the school nurse after class

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 your teacher before proceeding

• try several methods until something works

• figure it out as you do the lab

• re-read the instructions

You are heating a substance in a test tube. The open end of the tube should be pointed

• away from all people

• toward another classmate

• toward your lab partner

• toward yourself

• toward the wall

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

When gathering glassware and equipment for an experiment, you should

• read all directions carefully to know what equipment is necessary

• clean any glassware that appears dirty

• examine all glassware to check for chips or cracks

During labs, the following should not be worn

• loose clothing

• dangling jewelry

• sandals

 Horseplay or practical jokes in the laboratory are 

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

When you finish working with and cleaning up chemicals and other lab substances, always

• wipe your hands on your clothes

• wipe your hands on a towel

• wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water

• treat your hands with skin lotion

All chemicals in the lab are to be considered dangerous

• True
• False