Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Lab Safety
Dr. DeBacco
Rule #1: Listen to the Teacher
Be sure to listen to important instructions and also read the lab procedure.
If you have questions be sure to ask.
If anything happens, be sure to tell the teacher.
Each Lab Is Different, but…
Each lab may have its own unique procedure however; there are some key aspects that will remain constant as basic safety.
These will likely have lab specific additions, but the basics should always be kept as standard safety procedures.
Never Work Alone
Having a lab partner ensures you can be on the look out for each other and help if needed.
Know Your Surroundings…
Gas outlets
Sinks
Eye Wash Station
Electrical outlets
Exits
Emergency Gas shut off switch
Teacher
Goggles cabinet
Goggles
These must be worn over the eyes to be effective.
*Glasses are not goggles
Remember you can clean them and adjust them.
Goal is to avoid chemical burn of the eye.
Eye wash station requires 15min. of washing before you can leave the room.
If you get something in your Eyes…
Go to the eye wash station
Have your lab partner alert the instructor and help ensure you make it safely to the eye wash station.
Tie Back Long Hair
Long hair can get caught on or in things, not to mention it is a fire hazard.
*Be sure to tie it back.
Clean Work Station
Keep only the essentials in your working area.
Put all other materials away in a separate location.
Do Not Perform Unauthorized Experiments
You may unintentionally make a very dangerous chemical reaction.
No Food of Drinks at the Lab Stations
A water bottle and an acid bottle can look very similar.
You also want to avoid any potential for contamination.
Keep Chemicals in Area
Stock solutions will likely be in one location, take what you need and return what you do not use.
Check Containers for Labels
If you do not see/find a label, ask.
Inspect Glassware Every Time
Be sure to inspect any glassware you are going to use for any damage.
This includes spider cracks that are internal damage.
Heating Test Tubes
Direct the mouth of the test tube away from you and others.
Never Heat Closed Containers
This could lead to the release of glass shards and spilling of contents.
Keep Flammable Substances Away from Heat Sources
This can cause a fire that you may not ne able to see.
Alcohol fires burn clear so be sure to isolate known flammable materials.
If You Spill Something, Say Something
Alert your teacher if you spill something.
The substance may be easy for you to clean up, or it may require a special protocol, but your teacher will let you know.
Wear Closed Toe Shoes
This will protect your feet from physical and small chemical spills.
Smelling Chemicals… Use the Wafting Technique
Do not smell chemicals directly, instead hold them away from you and use the wafting technique to determine if there is an odor.
Smelling some chemicals directly can cause fainting or irritation to your mucus membranes.
Hazard Diamond
The Hazard Diamond, provides a system for identifying the specific hazards of a material and the severity of the hazard that would occur during an emergency response.
The system addresses the health, flammability, instability, and special hazards presented from short-term, acute exposures that could occur as a result of a fire, spill, or similar emergency.
Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
A Safety Data Sheet (SDS), is a standardized document that contains crucial occupational safety and health information.
It is mandated by the International Hazard Communication Standard (HCS).
According to this standard, chemical manufacturers must communicate the hazard information of their chemicals to those who handle them, and one way to achieve this is by providing a Safety Data Sheet.
These sheets are comprehensive and cover essential details such as chemical properties, potential health and environmental hazards, recommended protective measures, as well as safety precautions for proper storage, handling, and transportation of chemicals.
Link to Lecture Slides: drive.google.com/file/d/17kZpO-Uj9FpaeOlh0A6OpfLblRjnVL0u/view?usp=drive_link
*Due to the description character limit the full work cited for "Lab Safety" can be viewed at... docs.google.com/document/d/1K_zRMUCaxhc70rAcnTnOgoXO9nAP-qHG/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=104237452697237972847&rtpof=true&sd=true
Lab Safety
Dr. DeBacco
Rule #1: Listen to the Teacher
Be sure to listen to important instructions and also read the lab procedure.
If you have questions be sure to ask.
If anything happens, be sure to tell the teacher.
Each Lab Is Different, but…
Each lab may have its own unique procedure however; there are some key aspects that will remain constant as basic safety.
These will likely have lab specific additions, but the basics should always be kept as standard safety procedures.
Never Work Alone
Having a lab partner ensures you can be on the look out for each other and help if needed.
Know Your Surroundings…
Gas outlets
Sinks
Eye Wash Station
Electrical outlets
Exits
Emergency Gas shut off switch
Teacher
Goggles cabinet
Goggles
These must be worn over the eyes to be effective.
*Glasses are not goggles
Remember you can clean them and adjust them.
Goal is to avoid chemical burn of the eye.
Eye wash station requires 15min. of washing before you can leave the room.
If you get something in your Eyes…
Go to the eye wash station
Have your lab partner alert the instructor and help ensure you make it safely to the eye wash station.
Tie Back Long Hair
Long hair can get caught on or in things, not to mention it is a fire hazard.
*Be sure to tie it back.
Clean Work Station
Keep only the essentials in your working area.
Put all other materials away in a separate location.
Do Not Perform Unauthorized Experiments
You may unintentionally make a very dangerous chemical reaction.
No Food of Drinks at the Lab Stations
A water bottle and an acid bottle can look very similar.
You also want to avoid any potential for contamination.
Keep Chemicals in Area
Stock solutions will likely be in one location, take what you need and return what you do not use.
Check Containers for Labels
If you do not see/find a label, ask.
Inspect Glassware Every Time
Be sure to inspect any glassware you are going to use for any damage.
This includes spider cracks that are internal damage.
Heating Test Tubes
Direct the mouth of the test tube away from you and others.
Never Heat Closed Containers
This could lead to the release of glass shards and spilling of contents.
Keep Flammable Substances Away from Heat Sources
This can cause a fire that you may not ne able to see.
Alcohol fires burn clear so be sure to isolate known flammable materials.
If You Spill Something, Say Something
Alert your teacher if you spill something.
The substance may be easy for you to clean up, or it may require a special protocol, but your teacher will let you know.
Wear Closed Toe Shoes
This will protect your feet from physical and small chemical spills.
Smelling Chemicals… Use the Wafting Technique
Do not smell chemicals directly, instead hold them away from you and use the wafting technique to determine if there is an odor.
Smelling some chemicals directly can cause fainting or irritation to your mucus membranes.
Hazard Diamond
The Hazard Diamond, provides a system for identifying the specific hazards of a material and the severity of the hazard that would occur during an emergency response.
The system addresses the health, flammability, instability, and special hazards presented from short-term, acute exposures that could occur as a result of a fire, spill, or similar emergency.
Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
A Safety Data Sheet (SDS), is a standardized document that contains crucial occupational safety and health information.
It is mandated by the International Hazard Communication Standard (HCS).
According to this standard, chemical manufacturers must communicate the hazard information of their chemicals to those who handle them, and one way to achieve this is by providing a Safety Data Sheet.
These sheets are comprehensive and cover essential details such as chemical properties, potential health and environmental hazards, recommended protective measures, as well as safety precautions for proper storage, handling, and transportation of chemicals.
Link to Lecture Slides: drive.google.com/file/d/17kZpO-Uj9FpaeOlh0A6OpfLblRjnVL0u/view?usp=drive_link
*Due to the description character limit the full work cited for "Lab Safety" can be viewed at... docs.google.com/document/d/1K_zRMUCaxhc70rAcnTnOgoXO9nAP-qHG/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=104237452697237972847&rtpof=true&sd=true
