0.6 THE RULES OF LAB SAFETY

Introductory Unit

BY THE END OF THIS LESSON, STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO…

ASAP SCIENCE – LAB SAFETY SONG

REMEMBER

• You are responsible for your safety and the safety of those around you.
• Failure to act in a safe and responsible manner will result in the removal of all science lab privileges.
• Horseplay will be dealt with severely!

​

​

GENERAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

• No student should be in the lab unsupervised.
• Be prepared for your lab. READ your procedure for any safety precautions.
• Do not eat or drink in the lab. Your food may pick up harmful chemicals.
• Never taste or directly inhale chemicals.
• Do not sit on the lab benches.
• Please stand while doing labs.

​

HANDLING CHEMICALS

• All chemicals in the laboratory are to be considered dangerous. Avoid handling chemicals with fingers. Do not taste, or smell any chemicals. 
• Check the label on all chemical bottles twice before removing any of the contents.  Take only as much chemical as you need.
• Never return unused chemicals to their original container. Dispose of chemicals as instructed by your teacher.
• Never remove chemicals or other materials from the laboratory area
• Look for WHMIS symbols on containers.

​

HANDLING GLASSWARE

• Do not use dirty or chipped glassware.
• Clean drips off the sides of beakers and flasks for the safety of the next student.
• Broken glass should be reported to the teacher who will dispose of it in the “Broken Glass” container.
• Do not tightly stopper a flask where gas is being created. It could explode.
• Clean and return all glassware at the end of the lab.

​

HEATING SUBSTANCES

• Never leave a heat source unattended
• Tie back long hair
• Do not wear loose or baggy clothing in the lab.
• Hot glass does not look hot! Handle recently heated glassware with tongs.
• Do not immerse hot glassware in cold water.  The glassware may shatter.
• Never look into a container that is being heated.

​

SAFETY EQUIPMENT

• Safety goggles must be worn whenever there is the potential for eye damage.
• Goggles must always be worn when heat or corrosive chemicals are used.
• Know the locations of all safety equipment in the lab: fire extinguishers, eye wash station, first aid box, fire blanket, fire exits.

​

ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES

• Inform a teacher if someone requires assistance.
• If chemicals are spilled on skin or in eyes, rinse with water for 20 minutes.
• If you break something or spill something, please inform a teacher immediately. Do NOT handle broken glass!
• If a fire starts, inform a staff member immediately – STOP… DROP… ROLL!!!
• Respond to emergencies sensibly and immediately!

​

WHEN THE LAB IS DONE…

• Dispose of chemicals and materials only as instructed by your teacher.
• Clean all glassware and put everything away according to instructions.
• Wipe the counters clean with paper towels.
• Sinks should be cleaned and should not contain any solid material.
• Wash your hands and return your goggles.

​

IF YOU’RE NOT SURE ABOUT SOMETHING…

ASK THE TEACHER!

WHMIS 2015 AWARENESS

WHMIS

THREE TYPES OF HAZARD GROUPS

SYMBOLS AND PICTOGRAMS

OLD WHMIS - 1988

NEW WHMIS - 2015

SAFETY DATA SHEETS

• Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) are summary documents that provide information about the hazards of a product and advice about safety precautions. SDSs are usually written by the manufacturer or supplier of the product. In some circumstances, an employer may be required to prepare an SDS (e.g., when the product is produced and used exclusively in that workplace).

INFORMATION IN THE SDS

1. Identification
• Identifies the chemical on the SDS as well as it’s recommended uses. It also provides the essential contact information of the supplier.
2. Hazard Identification
• Identifies the hazards of the chemical presented on the SDS and the appropriate warning information associated with those hazards.
3. Information/Composition on Ingredients
• Identifies the ingredient(s) contained in the product indicated on the SDS, including impurities and stabilizing additives.
4. First Aid Measures
• Describes the initial care that should be given by untrained responders to an individual who has been exposed to the chemical.

INFORMATION IN THE SDS

5. Fire Fighting Measures
• Provides recommendations for fighting a fire caused by the chemical.
6. Accidental Release Measures
• Provides recommendations on the appropriate response to spills, leaks, or releases, including containment and cleanup practices to prevent or minimize exposure.
7. Handling and Storage
• Provides guidance on the safe handling practices and conditions for safe storage of chemicals.

INFORMATION IN THE SDS

8. Exposure Controls/ Personal Protection
• Indicates the exposure limits, engineering controls, and personal protective measures that can be used to minimize worker exposure.
9. Physical and Chemical Properties
• Identifies physical and chemical properties associated with the substance or mixture
10. Stability and Reactivity
• Describes the reactivity hazards of the chemical and the chemical stability information. This section is broken into three parts: reactivity, chemical stability, and other.

​

INFORMATION IN THE SDS

11. Toxicological Information
• Identifies toxicological and health effects information or indicates that such data are not available.
12. Ecological Information
• Provides information to evaluate the environmental impact of the chemical(s) if it were released to the environment.
13. Disposal Considerations
• Provides guidance on proper disposal practices, recycling or reclamation of the chemical(s) or its container, and safe handling practices.

​

INFORMATION IN THE SDS

14. Transport Information
• Provides guidance on classification information for shipping and transporting of hazardous chemical(s) by road, air, rail, or sea.
15. Regulatory Information
• Identifies the safety, health, and environmental regulations specific for the product that is not indicated anywhere else on the SDS
16. Other Information
• Indicates when the SDS was prepared or when the last known revision was made. The SDS may also state where the changes have been made to the previous version. You may wish to contact the supplier for an explanation of the changes.

​

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO KNOW…