Lab Safety
- Review of Hazardous Chemicals
- Storage / Handling of Chemicals
- Waste Management
- Laboratory Safety Equipment
- Fire Safety Equipment
- Spill Clean-Up
- Fume Hoods
- Laboratory Hygiene
- Proper Attire
- Other Safety Tips
Review of Hazardous Chemicals:
Ignitable:
A liquid chemical that will emit a flammable vapor at a temperature below 100 degrees Fahrenheit is considered ignitable. An ignitable solid is a substance that can cause a fire through friction, moisture absorption, spontaneous chemical changes, or as a result of retained heat from processing/manufacturing. A flammable gas will form an explosive mixture that may ignite upon contact with air. Almost all organic solvents fall under this category.
Examples include:
- Acetone
- Ethanol
- and oxidizers such as nitrates, iodates, and perchlorates
Corrosives:
An aqueous solution that has a pH of less than or equal to 2 or greater than or equal to 12.5 is considered corrosive. Corrosives are essentially very strong acids and bases and which may be solids or liquids. These chemicals can be very dangerous if contact is made with the skin, especially the eyes. Examples include: hydrochloric acid, thionyl chloride, and solid sodium hydroxide.
Reactive:
Chemicals that are capable of violent reactions with air or water are considered hazardous. For instance, pyrophoric metals and strong oxidizers are reactive. Reactive chemicals can cause spontaneous hazards if not handled properly due to their instability. Examples include: perchloric acid, benzoyl peroxide, and sodium borohydride.
Toxics:
Toxic chemicals may be hazardous or non-hazardous, depending on a variety of factors. They are especially hazardous if they are highly concentrated or very persistent in nature. Toxics are poisonous and can be harmful or even fatal if they are inhaled, ingested or come into direct contact with your skin. Examples include: lead, cadmium III, arsenic, and tetrachloroethylene (TCE).
Storage / Handling of Chemicals:
It is imperative that you place all chemicals in the proper area or receptacle after use. If you are unsure where the correct places for chemicals are, always consult the instructor. Failure to store chemicals in the right place could create unexpected hazards, especially if they are put with incompatibles.
After completing lab experiments never leave any bottles on or near the edges of desks or lab benches. To prevent accidental contamination, make sure all of the glassware you are using is clean. Only pour out of Reagent bottles, never put anything back in, even if it’s excess. Instead, dispose of it in the proper waste container found in the satellite area. After completing lab experiments, it is very important to clean up after yourself: clean all glassware thoroughly and wipe down lab benches. Discard used paper towels that may be contaminated with chemicals in the proper waste disposal area. Any broken glassware must go in a separate waste bin provided in the lab.
Your teacher will go over the use of all chemicals used for particular laboratory experiments before the lab. But if you have any questions regarding proper handling or use of these chemicals during activities, always ask. In addition, not paying attention to the instructor during pre-lab explanations could create many hazards such as the capacity for spills, chemical burns, or other personal injury.
Waste Management:
The Satellite Accumulation area is a vital but delicate part of the laboratory. If you do not listen to your teachers’ direction and are not careful about what’s going into the waste bottles, the results can be disastrous. Although all waste bottles should be labeled with the full name of the components that are in them, you have to listen to your teacher for instructions before putting ANY amount of waste chemicals in these bottles.
Putting even a small amount of a chemical in the improper waste bottle after use can result in a serious accident. No matter what happens, never remove waste bottles from the satellite area (unless directed by your instructor to do so). The purpose of having these designated waste areas is for your safety and will prevent unnecessary injury.
Laboratory Safety Equipment:
Your lab is equipped with a multitude of safety installations. Two very important pieces of equipment are the safety shower and emergency eyewash station. Your instructor will inform you about the use and location of these apparatuses. In the event that you get a chemical in your eyes, go to the eyewash station immediately and begin to flush them with water. It is recommended that you flush your eyes for a minimum of fifteen minutes. Don’t worry about getting help first, go right to the eyewash and let your instructor or classmates go for assistance if needed.
The safety shower is another important piece of equipment that is used if chemicals are spilled or splashed on you, making any direct contact with your skin. Again, don’t hesitate. If you spill anything on yourself, go immediately to the safety shower, turn it on, and remove your clothing. Do not be timid in an emergency situation; your safety is number one priority. DO NOT wait until you feel burning or itching after a chemical comes into contact with your skin, go to the shower immediately after the fact. Your instructor will get any necessary help.
If you know what to do in an emergency situation, you will not waste critical time and are reducing your risk of a serious injury. So familiarize yourself with the safety equipment in the lab, it’s in your best interest.
Fire Safety Equipment:
Make sure you know the location of all of the fire equipment in a laboratory in the event of an emergency. A small, localized flame (such as that confined to a test tube) can be put out by cutting off the oxygen supply. However, never try to put out any size fire on your own, notify your teacher and he/she will take the proper measures to extinguish it. Similarly, never use a fire extinguisher unless you are trained to do so- in the event of a large fire, evacuate immediately and notify Public Safety.
In the event of a clothing fire, go immediately to the safety shower to put out the flames. If the safety shower is not close enough to get to without putting yourself at further risk; stop, drop and roll. The fire blanket should be used cautiously to avoid flames from spreading or reaching your face and head. If assisting somebody else, use the fire blanket ONLY as a last resort and never wrap it around them if they are standing up (this creates a funnel-like vacuum that will direct the flames into the victim’s face). Use it only to cover them after they are lying down and pat out the flames if necessary.
Spill Clean-Up:
Spills can and do occur frequently in labs. In the event of any size spill, notify your teacher; do not attempt to clean it up yourself. Depending on the amount and constituents of the spill, it will be handled accordingly. Typically an absorbent is used to prevent the spill from spreading, and once it is controlled, it can be completely absorbed, swept, or mopped up and discarded properly. However, always know the location and contents of the spill-clean up kit in your laboratory.
Fume Hoods:
The fume hoods are a very important piece of laboratory equipment. It is important that you know how to use them properly to maximize your safety when pouring, mixing, or heating chemicals under the hood. Follow your teachers’ instructions on adequate ventilation, and use the hood for intended purposes only. If certain classes of chemicals are being used for an experiment, such as volatiles, always do the required procedure under a fume hood. Be very careful using electronic equipment inside the hood, and NEVER use the fume hood for storage purposes.
In the event of a fire under the hood, close it immediately and notify your instructor. Certain experiments have to be done under a fume hood, so make sure that you know how to operate it, and always listen to your teacher for instructions.
Laboratory Hygiene:
There is absolutely none of the following permitted in the laboratory: food, drinks, smoking, gum-chewing or cosmetic application. Contamination can occur very easily when working with chemicals, so make sure you adhere to these basic rules. Similarly, make sure you wash your hands very thoroughly with the anti-microbial soap provided in the lab before and after experiments are completed. This is very important because trace chemicals can remain on your hands and jewelry when you leave the lab, and in turn will be carried with you wherever you go.
These rules are made for your safety and will limit any distractions while performing experiments in the lab. If you violate any of these laboratory rules, you will not be able to participate in lab.
Proper Attire:
Wearing the proper clothing for a lab is a very important part of doing experiments. Sticking to a few essential rules will help you avoid unnecessary injury and prevent you being prohibited to participate in experiments:
- No loose clothing: over-sized tee shirts, baggy pants, anything with low-hanging sleeves.
- Tie back long hair.
- No rings, watches, or any other jewelry that can become contaminated while you are working in the lab.
- No open-toed or cloth shoes: stick to sneakers or any leather shoe to maximize protection to your feet.
- No shorts or short skirts permitted: wear long pants or skirts to protect legs.
- No contact lenses should be worn during experiment.
In terms of personal protective equipment for the lab, there are a few essential items that you need to wear during experiments; these include safety goggles with side-shields, lap aprons or coats, and gloves when handling chemicals. All of these items reduce your risk of injuring yourself or others during labs. There are a variety of types of each kind of protective gear, depending on what you are working with; make sure you listen to your instructor for the appropriate item to wear for each experiment.
Other Safety Tips:
- Put backpacks/ purses inside bench compartments or along the window sill to maximize aisle space and prevent injury or spills.
- Always use appropriate gloves and goggles during dissections.
- Never fool around or play in the laboratory.
- Always read through the instructions for each experiment beforehand so you know what to expect and can ask your teacher any questions you may have prior to the lab.
- Never be afraid to ask questions! By doing so you can avoid injury to yourselves and your classmates.