Laboratory Safety Assessment

It is unsafe to consume any food or beverages in the chemistry lab.

• True. Never.

• False. Sometimes

If gloves are worn during lab, it is not necessary to wash your hands before leaving the lab.

• True. In all cases.

• False. In all cases.

• True. If hand sanitizer is available.

• False. If hand sanitizer is available.

You should never use chipped, cracked, warped or dirty glassware.

• True. In no circumstances.

• False. Only when no other equipment is available.

• True. Because it looks ugly.

• False. Dirty is fine, but chipped and cracked in not.

Any substance that is being heated should never be left unattended.

• Substances must always be watched when heated.

• Heated substances may be left attended if amount of time away is less than 1 minute.

• Heated substances may be left attended if the heat source is decreased.

• Substances should not be left unattended when heated, only when the teacher is nearby.

If you have unused chemicals at the end of lab, it is OK to return them to their original containers.

• True

• False

It is OKAY to work alone in the chemistry lab when doing experimentation.

• True

• False

If you have a medical condition such as allergies, etc., you should consult your physician before working in the chemistry lab.

• True

• False

You can tell how hot glassware is by inspecting it carefully.

• True. Hot glassware has a unique color and shape.

• False. Hot glassware is clear and transparent and normal in shape.

• True. Hot glassware has a chemical coating that when heated displays the word "Caution: Hot glass" on the upper brim of the equipment.

• False. Hot glassware cools quickly and is hard to determine its temperature.

Flammable materials, like alcohol, should never be dispensed or used near heat.

• True

• False

If a laboratory/classroom fire erupts, what should you immediately do?

• This is protocol for small, contained fires. If the fire were big and out of control, you would head for the emergency exit. 

• For any fire it is important to notify the instruction, but the first rule is to get everyone to safety and, at the same time, notify the instructor. 

• This is never a good idea, as some chemicals are reactive with water, meaning, introducing water to these chemicals may results in an explosion. 

• Remember, fires are fueled by oxygen. The best thing to starve a fire is to cut of its supply to oxygen. 

• In this case, it is assumed that the fire is out of control, so you need to quickly get to safety. So safely heading out of the building is the best option.