Science Safety Procedures 2012 2013 General safety procedures

Science Safety Procedures 2012 -2013

General safety procedures When entering a science room, do not touch any equipment, chemicals, or other materials in the laboratory area until you are instructed to do so. All chemicals in the lab are to be considered dangerous and should be handled carefully. Students are not permitted in the science storage rooms or preparation areas unless they have been given specific permission by their instructor.

Continued No student may work along in the lab without an instructor present. Be alert and act responsibly in the lab. Horseplay, practical jokes, and pranks are dangerous and prohibited. Avoid distracting or startling anybody while in the lab. Do not eat food, drink beverages, chew gum, or apply cosmetics while in the lab.

Continued Notify the instructor immediately of any unsafe conditions that you observe. Do not remove chemicals or other materials from the lab. Never attempt to replicate experiments or demonstrations outside of the lab.

Before beginning an investigation Always follow instructions given by the teacher and wait until you’re told to begin before starting any investigation. If you do not understand a direction or part of a procedure, ask the instructor before proceeding. Know the location and proper use of safety equipment. Tie back long hair and restrict any loose clothing. Always wear shoes in the lab. Wearing shorts, sandals, or open toed shoes is not advised. Wear the appropriate personal protective equipment when instructed to do so. Every person shall wear eye protective devices when participating in, observing, or performing functions that are potentially hazardous, including those that involve chemicals, heat, or glassware.

During an investigation Perform only those experiments authorized by the instructor. Carefully follow all instruction, both written and oral. Observe good housekeeping practices. Keep your work area clean and orderly. Keep all books and items not necessary for the assignment away from the work area. Use appropriate equipment when doing an experiment. Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth while using chemicals. Acids must be handled with extreme caution. When diluting, always add acid to water, rather than adding water to acid. Never smell chemicals directly, Always waft the odors to your nose using your hand.

Continued Do not taste anything used in the investigation. Never use mouth suction to fill a pipet. Exercise extreme caution when using a gas burner or open flame. Keep all flammable and combustible materials not needed for the investigation/demonstration a safe distance away. Do not put anything into a flame unless specifically instructed to do so. Never reach over an exposed flame. Never leave a lit burner or hot plate unattended. Do not heat liquids in a closed container. Never point the open end of a test tube at yourself or another person while heating.

Continued Heated metals and glassware can remain hot for a long time. Do not set them down on desks or other surfaces that are not heat-resistant. If you are not sure if an item is hot, check first by bringing the back of your hand close to the object prior to grasping. Use tongs or protective gloves to handle hot items or if you are unsure. Report all injuries or chemical spills to your teacher immediately.

After the investigation Dispose of waste chemicals and waste materials as instructed by your teacher. Excess reagents are not to be returned to the stock bottles. Chemicals that are leftover from the investigation should be treated as waste chemicals and discarded appropriately. Do not pour chemicals down the sink unless your teacher tells you to do so. Clean your entire work area including the floor. Return all lab equipment to the areas assigned by your teacher. Wash your hands with soap and water after handling any chemicals, even if gloves were worn.

Working with Glassware Examine glassware before each use. Never use chipped, cracked, or dirty glassware. Carry glass tubing, especially long pieces in a vertical position to minimize the likelihood of breakage and injury. Do not immerse hot glassware in cold water. It may shatter. Never handle broken glassware with your bare hands. Use a brush and dust pan to clean up broken glass. Place broken glass in a puncture proof container, not the garbage can. Inserting and removing glass tubing from rubber stoppers can be dangerous. Always lubricate glassware before attempting to insert it in a stopper. If a piece of glassware becomes stuck, ask the teacher for assistance. Don’t force it.

Continued Do not use laboratory glassware as containers for food and beverages.

Electrical Equipment Examine cords and electrical equipment before ach use. Look for frayed cords, exposed wires and loose connections. Do not use damaged electrical equipment. Report any damage to your teacher. Never leave electrical cords where someone might trip over them. Keep cords away from heat sources or water. Turn off all equipment when the investigation is complete. Never touch electrical switches, plugs, or outlets with wet hands. Grasp the plug when disconnecting an electrical cord from the outlet. Do not pull on the cord.

Live organisms Treat all living things with respect. Do not tease, grab, or squeeze the animals. Do not pick plants unless necessary. Never bring live or dead animals into the classroom without the teacher’s prior permission. When collecting plants, be aware of poisonous plants that grow in the area. Wear gloves as a precaution. If working with bacteria, be sure to clean your work area before and after an investigation. Wash your hands with soap and water after handling live organisms. Dispose of bio-waste as instructed by your teacher.

Preserved Specimens If dissecting, always place the specimen in a dissecting tray or on a prepared surface. Do not hold a specimen in your hand while dissecting it. Always handle sharp instruments such as scalpels and scissors carefully. They can cause severe cuts if they are mishandled. Only grasp sharp instruments by the handle. Always cut away from your body. Never try to catch falling sharp instruments. Wash your hands with soap and water after handling any specimens. Dispose of bio-waste as instructed by your teacher.

Preventative Gear Goggles Must be worn any time chemicals, glassware, or heat is used.

Fume Hood Specialized area for chemicals that are likely to smoke, explode, or become unpredictable.

Broken Glass Container Never use or hide broken glass. All broken glass should be placed in broken glass bucket.

Your Brain! Listening, watching, and thinking things through before you attempt an investigation is the most important thing that you and I can do to keep our classroom safe and more importantly fun!

Emergency equipment EYE WASH Wash eyes of chemical or debris

CHEMICAL SHOWER Wash debris body of chemical or

FIRE BLANKET For use with small, controlled fires that need to be extinguished without making a mess.

FIRE EXTINGUISHER For use after emergency personnel has been called. Start at the base of the flame and use a side to side sweeping motion.

PHONE If Ms. Shanon cannot call, be prepared to call either the office or 911 depending on the severity of the situation.

Exits Know both of them. If an emergency arises, know which door is safest to exit the classroom. HALLWAY ENDRES MR.