Lab Safety: Everyone is Responsible!

	"I didn't mean to" and "It wasn't my fault" are two statements that have no place in the lab. If someone is hurt or equipment is broken, these statements cannot undo the harm.
	Horse-play will not be tolerated. If it occurs, those involved will be disqualified from the lab and given a zero for the assignment.
	Lack of pre-lab preparation is the main threat to safety in our lab. If you and your group are unprepared, you will be unsure of yourself, waste time, and have a good chance of making a mistake that leads to a problem.
	At the beginning of each lab period, you will be given a chance to ask questions. If you are unsure of some procedure, now is the time to ask. Always pay close attention to any verbal instructions given at this time.

• Safety Glasses Must Be Worn in the lab area.
  • Safety glasses are stored in the cabinet in the back of the lab area.
  • Other protective clothing, such as gloves and aprons are at your option, unless otherwise noted
• Long hair and bulky clothing can be a problem in the lab.
  • Wear appropriate clothing.
  • Tie back long hair.
• Rings, watches, and jewelry can be a problem in the lab.
  • Corrosive or irritating liquids may get underneath a ring or watch and produce irritation and get them dirty.
  • Dangling jewelry may catch on a piece of labware and cause an accident.

Accidents Can Happen:
Remain calm! A minor problem quickly becomes a major one if you don't.

• Report all accidents immediately, no matter how small.
• Types of accidents and how to handle them:

  Broken Glass:
  The most common accident in the lab, even with the best of care.

  * If you are using the equipment properly, you will not get into trouble for breaking a piece of glassware

  * If you are not using the equipment properly, or if horse-play is involved, you will be required to pay for the broken glassware.

  * If glassware is broken, stop where you are. Report the breakage to your teacher.

  * Do not move until your teacher says it is safe to do so. There will most likely be many small slivers of glass that you do not immediately notice.

  * If anyone is cut, report it immediately.

  * Your teacher will collect the broken glass, not you. More minor cuts occur after this type of accident than during it.

  Cuts and Scrapes:
  Do not come into contact with another person's blood.

  * Report the situation to your teacher and let him help the injured person.

  * There is always a possibility of infection, even with the most minor injury. For this reason you should report any cut or scrape, even if there is no visible blood.

  Chemical Spills:

  
  You are to treat all chemical spills as DANGEROUS.

  *Stop where you are and let your teacher advise you about what to do.

  * Consult the proper Material Safety Data Sheet before doing anything.

  * Chemical Safety Warning Signs - NFPA, ANSI, OSHA

  * Did any of the spill get on your skin or clothing? Sometimes adding water is the worst thing you can do.

  * Depending on the chemical spilled, we might just have a mess to clean up or we might have a very dangerous situation.

  * Glass breakage often occurs along with chemical spills. If that happens, follow those safety precautions too.

  Fire:
  You will not be dealing with fire in the lab, but it is always good to know what to do!
  When you are not heating something - turn the burner off.

  *Lab burners are the source of most problems:

  • Bunsen burners have very few malfunctions. If a malfunction occurs, turn off the gas and notify your facilitator- end of problem.
    • The flame from alcohol burners is hard to see. Pay close attention when using them.
    • Be aware when a burner is in use at your lab station. Be extremely careful during that time.
  • Paper is the most common type of fire in the lab.
    • This type of fire is cause by carelessness and easily prevented. Take only one lab sheet to your station to follow your written procedures and record data. Leave all reference materials at your desk. If you need to refer to reference material, leave the lab area to do so.
    • If a paper fire occurs, push the paper into the lab sink and turn on the water - end of problem.
  • Clothing or Hair is the most dangerous type of fire in the lab.
    • Don't panic!
    • If you are the one involved in a fire - stay where you are - help is coming. "Stop, drop, and roll" is still the best course of action.
    • If your partner is involved in a fire - get the fire blanket. Your teacher will be racing you to the blanket and both of you will help your partner smother the fire.
    • If the fire is not at your lab station - stay away !

Lab Safety Equipment:

Eye Wash Station:

The eye wash station is located in the prep room of the science lab.

• The station should only be used if chemicals come in contact with the eyes.
• Eyelids have to be forcibly kept open to ensure effective washing.
• Be sure to wash from the nose out to the ear. This will avoid washing chemicals back into the eye or into an unaffected eye.
• Flood eyes and eyelids with water for a minimum of 15 minutes.
• Contacts should not be worn during labs. If you are wearing them when involved with an accident, remove them as soon as possible to rinse eyes of any harmful chemicals.
• After the science teacher determines the eyes are completely flushed, both of the victim's eyes should be covered with a clean or sterile gauze.

Fire Safety Blanket:

The fire safety blanket is located on the wall at the front of the room.

• Fire blankets are not the best means to extinguish a fire. They may be used to extinguish clothing that is burning, but should never be used on any other type of fire.

• Never wrap a standing student in the blanket. This creates a "chimney effect", bringing the fire directly to the student's face.

• Only a Haylon fire extinguisher should be used on a fire involving personal clothing. The materials from other extinguishers can cut off oxygen to a person surrounded by the cloud of chemicals.
• Fire blankets are a good means to keep shock victims warm.

Fire Extinguisher:

The fire extinguisher is located by the door.

• Only the science teacher is authorized to use the fire extinguisher.
• Fire extinguishers are classified according to a particular fire type and are given the same letter and symbol classification as that of the fire.
• Types of Fire Extinguishers:

• Combustibles: wood, cloth, paper, rubber and plastics.	Flammable liquids: oil, grease and paint thinners.	Energized electrical equipment.
  Our lab fire extinguisher is Type ABC, effective against Types A, B, and C.

• The average fire extinguisher only operates about 10 seconds. Don't waste it!
  • You must get close to the fire - as close as 5 or 6 feet!
  • To effectively operate 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

• Fire Extinguisher Training
• Fire Safety and Fire Extinguishers

Foothill Middle School Science Labs:

Lab Station Clean-Up:

• Clean-up is important for the safety of others and for the preservation of equipment.
• Your lab station and equipment should be cleaned before you worry about the lab report.
• What clean-up should be done after each lab?
  • Dispose of chemicals as directed by your teacher.
  • NEVER put unused chemicals back into their original container.
  • Return chemical containers to the chemical table.
  • Wash and dry all glassware, then store properly.
  • Clean hardware, but DO NOT wash. If any hardware is wet, dry completely before storing. This is to prevent rusting.
  • Clean and dry your lab table.
  • Wash your hands.