Classroom & Laboratory Safety

By Dr. Kohn

Science Dept.

Waterford WI

General Expectations

• Ask if unsure. Report if unsure. Do not act if unsure.�
• Follow instructions. Know all safety precautions & equipment so that you can act if/when needed.�
• Keep areas neat and clean with chairs pushed in in case of emergency. �
• You are responsible for �preventing accidents. �
• Never handle an unknown �substance. Ask first.

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Source: 123rf.com

General Expectations

• Alert your instructor of all emergencies before taking action. �
• Never eat or drink in the classroom. �
• Wash your hands after handling anything potentially harmful.�
• Never work alone in a room or lab.�
• In an emergency, stop what �you are doing and prepare to assist.

Source: PRWeb -flickr.com

Eyewear

• Eyewear is needed any time we have…
• Lab chemicals are being used
• Glassware is being used
• Substances are being heated
• Open flames are present
• Organs or other live tissues are being dissected�
• Eyeglasses do not �count as eye protection.

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Source: medical-supplies-equipment-company.com

Gloves

• Gloves are needed for any labs involving strong chemicals or organs. �
• Replace any gloves with rips or tears.

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• Tell your instructor if we �are running low on gloves �before they run out.

Apparel & Footwear

• When working with glass, lab chemicals, live tissue, or outdoors, closed-toed shoes are needed.

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• Do not wear loose clothing when performing a lab. Tie back long hair.

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• Dress appropriately if �we go outdoors.

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Eyes & Contact Lens

• If you spill a liquid in your eye (chemical, blood, etc.), alert your instructor if you have contacts.
• Damage can occur even if you don’t feel pain.
• Always rinse your eyes in �an eyewash station in the �event of a spill.
• Where is our eyewash station?

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Glassware

• Clean dirty glassware before using.�
• Hot glass looks identical to cold glass.�
• Test tubes should always be heated with the open end �pointed away �from people.�
• Never use chipped, �dirty, or broken glass.

Source: ehs.washington.edu

Sharps

• Always carry sharp objects securely with the sharp end pointed down.
• Never try to catch a falling sharp object.
• Move away as it falls while alerting everyone nearby. �
• Always cut away �from your body.

Heat & Flames

• Always use eye protection when heating or burning something.
• Glass can unexpectedly shatter when heated.

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• Never leave a burner or flame unattended. Always have a partner.�
• Long or loose hair or �clothing must be tied back.�
• Where is our fire extinguisher? �

Source: fundraw.com

Laboratory Chemicals

• Assume every chemical can be dangerous. Always read the side of the bottle before using a lab chemical.�
• Once it’s out it stays out - never return used chemicals back into a container. See your instructor if you make a mistake.�
• Always turn on a faucet before dumping a chemical
• Never add water to acid.�
• Only the instructor should have access �to chemical supply areas. �
• If you spill a chemical on your skin or �in your eyes, immediately flush with �water while alerting your instructor.�
• Where is our nearest chemical shower?

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Source: altecweb.com

Animals

• All animals have the potential to carry serious disease. Always wash your hands after handling animals�
• Alert the instructor of any loose animals. �
• Never work with animals alone. �
• Humane treatment of animals is required to be in this classroom.

Organ/Tissue Dissection

• Gloves, goggles, and aprons/coats are needed whenever handling organs or tissue.�
• Know how organs or tissue should be disposed of before beginning.�
• If a fluid gets into a mucus membrane (mouth, nose, eyes), immediately flush with lots of water.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROTOCOLS

General Principles

• Alert your instructor first. �
• If additional help is needed, call “0” on the phone AND get a neighboring instructor to assist.
• After school hours, dial 911. �
• Assist only if needed or requested. �
• Stay safe and out of �harm’s way.

Spilled Chemical/Broken Glass

• If there is broken glass or a chemical spill, first alert the instructor.
• Next, stand guard at a safe distance & alert others.
• Be prepared to assist if the instructor asks. �
• Do not pick up broken glass with your bare hands.
• Leave the room if there are �chemical fumes.
• Do not wait to flush with water �if you spill a chemical on your skin.

Fire

• If a fire breaks out, alert the instructor before anything else. �
• If a fire alarm goes off, stop what you are doing and immediately leave the classroom.
• Exit the main classroom door, turn left, go down the stairway, and exit the nearest door.
• Stay together! We must take attendance.
• Do not leave your class to find someone �else. Stay with your instructor.

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Tornado

• If a tornado watch is issued, keep doing as you were before but remain prepared.
• This only means conditions are favorable for a tornado.�
• If there is a tornado warning, immediately stop what you are doing, leave the room, turn left, and go downstairs.
• Do not wait or hesitate – a tornado warning �means a tornado is already on the ground.
• Cover the back of your head and neck with �your hands and duck forward.

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Violent Critical Incident (Intruder)

• A.L.I.C.E. (non-sequential)  
• Alert - First awareness of danger; overcome denial and doubt.
• Lockdown - Secure door, create barricades, spread out, prepare to evacuate/counter, & communicate.
• Inform - Alert law enforcement, etc. if safe to do so
• Counter - Physical actions that interrupt the intruder, making it impossible to aim (only if in immediate danger)
• Evacuate - Remove yourself from danger as soon as it is safe to do so and go to a safe area/rally point.
• Keep your hands up & visible if you see police; do not scream or ask questions.

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A.L.I.C.E.

Allergic Reaction

• It is your responsibility to alert the instructor about any allergies you may have and any time your allergies are a problem. �
• If you have a need for an Epi-pen, state this immediately and explain where it is. �
• If another student is having �an allergic reaction, stop �what you are doing and be �prepared to assist.

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Source: health198.com

Choking

• If someone is choking, stop what you are doing and alert the instructor. �
• Seek additional help if needed (by phone and/or in a neighboring classroom). �
• Be prepared to assist the instructor.

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Seizure

• If a student or instructor is having a seizure, push away anything they might strike with their body.�
• Protect their head with a sweatshirt, backpack, or other padding. �
• Do not try to hold down their body – allow them to flail freely. �
• Be prepared to seek �assistance from another �instructor or via phone.

Unconsciousness

• Unconsciousness is always life threatening.
• Seek immediate assistance from the instructor, main office, and neighboring instructors if someone becomes unconscious. �
• Be prepared to check the CBAs –
• 1) Circulation (Do they have a pulse? �Are they turning blue?).
• 2) Breathing (Look, listen, & �feel for breathing).
• 3) Airway (Is it clear?).

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CLASSROOM PROCEDURES

Locate the following

• Exits�
• Fire Extinguishers�
• Fire Blanket�
• Eye Wash Stations�
• Chemical Rinse Station �

Classroom Policies

• Hand-in Box�
• Daily Announcements

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• Labs, Assessments, & Grades �
• Google Classroom & Class Website (www.DrKohn.org)
• Everything is always posted on these sites.
• Inform me if it isn’t!

Lab safety review concepts:

1. How to safely handle flammable materials.

2. What to do if a fire occurs.

3. How to properly use eye protection.

4. What to do if you wear contacts.

5. What to do if you do not understand lab directions.

6. How to dispose of chemical wastes.

7. What to do if you do not finish a lab in time.

8. How to heat a substance in a test tube.

9. How to pick up hot glass.

10. What to do if you are injured.

11. What to do before using glassware.

12. What if you have loose clothing or long hair in a lab?

13. What footwear is appropriate for a lab or outside.

14. What to do if a chemical splashes on your skin or eyes.

15. Can students go into a chemical supply room? Can we assume that a chemical is safe?

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16. What to do if you use too much of a chemical.

17. What to do if glassware is chipped or cracked.

18. When is it ok to be alone in a lab/classroom?

19. When lab coats, goggle, and gloves are needed.

20. What to do if there is broken glass or a spilled chemical.

21. How to properly handle department animals.

22. What to do if you or someone else has an injury.

23. What numbers do you call in an emergency?

24. Where are the fire alarms, fire blanket, & fire extinguishers?

25. What to do in a tornado.

26. What to do in a school fire.

27. What to do if there is an intruder.

28. What to do if you have a question about an assignment.

29. Where to find assignments if you’re absent.

30. Where to turn in assignments.