We must obey all safety rules in the laboratory. Accidents in the laboratory can be disastrous. However, they can be avoided if precautions are taken at all times.

1. Choose the correct word(s) in the brackets to fill in each blank.

For each of the options (a) to (in), explain why the precaution is important. Write your reason on the lines provided.

(a) You (should/should not) enter the laboratory without your teacher’s permission.

Reason:

(b) (Open/Close) all doors and windows while you are in the laboratory.

Reason:

(c) (Before/After) doing your experiments, read and try to understand all the given instructions.

Reason:

(d) Follow (some/all) of the safety procedures during an experiment.

Reason:

(e) (Do/Do not) pour unused chemicals back into their containers.

Reason:

(f) (Do/Do not) eat, play or drink in the laboratory.

Reason:

(g) (Do/Do not) tamper with electrical mains or other fittings in the laboratory.

Reason:

(h) (Wash/Do not wash) your hands after finishing your laboratory work.

Reason:

(i) Do not place (flammable/non-flammable) substances near a lighted burner. .

Reason:

(j) (Wear/Do not wear) goggles when mixing or heating chemicals. .

Reason:

(k) (Do/Do not) point the mouth of a test tube or boiling tube containing chemicals being heated at anyone, including yourself.

Reason:

(1) Report all accidents, breakages and spillages immediately to your (teacher/friend).

Reason:

(m) Should any chemical get into your mouth, spit it out and rinse your mouth with a (lot of/little) water. If a chemical comes into contact with your eyes, skin or clothing, wash thoroughly with a (lot of/little) water. .

Reason:

2. The following diagrams illustrate some situations in a science laboratory. Can you state the danger/ mistake in each situation and the precaution that should be taken?

(a)  Danger/mistake:

Precaution:

(b) Danger:

Precaution:

(c) Danger:

Precaution:

(d) Danger:

Precaution:

(e) Danger:

Precaution:

(f) Danger:

Precaution:

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