Analía Bellizzi – Chemistry Classes

Ronald Reagan Senior High School

Safety Notes Honors

Safety Guidelines

  • All students must READ and UNDERSTAND the information in this document in regards to laboratory safety and emergency procedures prior to the first laboratory session.
  • A quiz will be taken and only the students passing the quiz with 70% or more will be able to participate in labs.

  • Your personal laboratory safety depends mostly on YOU.

Safety

First

  • You and your parents have to print, read, complete and sign the SAFETY CONTRACT, which will be turned in to your teacher BEFORE any experiments or labs can be done in class.

  • All students must recognize the SAFETY SYMBOLS used in lab instructions and chemical data worksheets.
  • Students must adhere to written and verbal safety instructions throughout the year.
  • Additional instructions may be given at the beginning of laboratory sessions.
  • Working alone and unsupervised in the laboratory is forbidden.
  • Safety training and/or information will be provided by your teacher, lab safety contract and rules will be follow through the whole school year. No exceptions.​
  • YOU SHOULD NOT ENTER THE ROOM IF THE TEACHER IS NOT PRESENT.

Emergency Response

  • It is your responsibility to read safety and fire alarm posters.
  • In case of an emergency, notify your teacher immediately and follow her instructions IN SILENCE.
  • You need to know the location of the fire extinguisher, eye wash, safety blanket and safety shower in your lab and know how to use them.
  • Be sure you know the building evacuation procedures.
  • If you have a spill on the floor or lab bench, call your teacher rather than trying to clean it up by yourself.
  • If you get a chemical in your eyes, walk immediately to the eyewash station, turn it on, and lower your head so that your eyes are in the running water. Let the water run for a few seconds and then, use it for at least 15 minutes. Use your fingers to separate your eyelids from your eyes so the water can get at the back too.
  • If you spill a chemical on your skin, wash it off under the sink faucet, and call your teacher.
  • The best way to prevent an accident is to stop it before it happens

Common sense

  • Common sense is needed for safety in a laboratory.
  • Each student should work in a responsible manner and exercise good judgment and common sense.
  • If at any time you are not sure how to handle a particular situation, ask your teacher for advice.
  • It is always better to ask questions than to risk harm to yourself or damage the equipment.
  • Be sure that cables are not in touch with the hot plate.
  • Turn off the gas as soon as you finish working with the Bunsen burner.

Personal and General Laboratory Safety

  • Never eat, drink while working in the laboratory.
  • When using a Bunsen burner, NEVER open the gas unless you are ready to turn the fire on.
  • If the striker does not work and you cannot turn the fire on, CLOSE THE GAS IMMEDIATELY!
  • Read labels carefully.
  • Do not use any equipment unless you are trained and approved as a user by your teacher.
  • Wear safety goggles or face shields when working with hazardous materials and/or equipment.
  • If you use contact lenses, you should remove them because chemicals can get between them and your eyes.
  • Use closed shoes while in the lab. Flip-Flops or Crocs® shoes will not be allowed.
  • Wear gloves when using any hazardous or toxic agent.
  • Clothing:
    • Do not use any big clothes, or dangling jewelry that can When handling dangerous substances, wear gloves, aprons, and safety goggles.
    • If you have long hair or loose clothes, make sure it is tied back or confined.
  • Keep the work area clear of all materials except those needed for your work.
  • Take only the necessary materials to take notes, recording etc.
  • Leave all your belongings in your desk.
  • Disposal - Students are responsible for the proper disposal of used material if any in appropriate containers.
  • The disposal procedure will be given in each lab together with the teacher instructions at the beginning of the lab.
  • Report any Equipment Failure immediately to your teacher. Never try to fix the problem yourself.
  • Never pipette anything by mouth.
  • Your work area together with the materials you used must be COMPLETELY CLEAN AND DRY and checked by your teacher before leaving the lab table.
  • If a group does not finish cleaning the working area, all the group will be stay until they finish the work.
  • Wash hands before leaving the lab and before eating.

Chemical Safety

  • Treat every chemical as if it were hazardous.
  • Hot glass looks the same as cold glass. Be careful.
  • ACIDS DO NOT WANT TO GET WET! NEVER PUT WATER ON ACID.
  • Make sure all chemicals are clearly and currently labeled with the substance name, concentration, date, and name of the individual responsible.
  • Never return chemicals to reagent bottles. (Try to get the correct amount and share any excess.)
  • Use volatile and flammable compounds only in a fume hood.
  • When heating the substance in a test tube, always point the open end away from everybody.
  • When using flammable volatile materials, you should not be near an open flame.
  • Never allow any chemical to come in contact with your skin.
  • Never "smell" a chemical!! Read the label on the solvent bottle to identify its contents.
  • Dispose of waste and broken glassware in proper containers.
  • Clean up spills immediately.
  • If the spilled chemical is an acid or a base you can clean it with baking soda first to neutralize them, and then water.
  • Do not store food in laboratory.
  • NEVER take any chemicals out of the lab.
  • Always wash your hands with soap and water before you leave the lab

Last but not Least

  • Never do unauthorized experiments.
  • Never work alone in laboratory.
  • Do not leave an on-going experiment unattended.
  • Always inform your instructor if you break any equipment or glassware.
  • To put out a fire in a person's hair, use the fire blanket
  • To put out a fire in a person's clothing, use the fire blanket.
  • If a chemical is spilled on your clothing you should use the safety shower
  • Never taste anything.
  • Never pipette by mouth; use a pipette filler.
  • Never use open flames in laboratory unless instructed by your teacher.
  • Check your glassware for cracks and chips each time you use it. Cracks could cause the glassware to fail and cause serious injury to you or lab mates.
  • Maintain clean access to all exits, fire extinguishers, electrical panels, emergency showers, and eye washes.
  • Clean your lab table and equipment before you leave the laboratory.
  • Wait until your teacher checks that you cleaned and organized materials and equipment on your table before leaving your work area.

What next?

#1

Print, read, complete and sign the
SAFETY CONTRACT
which will be turned in to your teacher BEFORE any experiments or labs can be done in class.

#2

Recognize the SAFETY SYMBOLS fused in lab instructions and chemical data worksheets

#3

Complete the following exercises:
SAFETY EXERCISES