Safety Practices in the Chemistry Laboratory

General Chemistry Laboratory

SyracuseUniversity Chemistry 107

Introduction

The chemistry laboratory can be a place of discovery and learning. However, by the very nature of laboratory work, it can be a place of danger if proper common-sense precautions aren't taken. While every effort has been made to eliminate the use of explosive, highly toxic, and carcinogenic substances from the experiments which you will perform, there is a certain unavoidable hazard associated with the use of a variety of chemicals and glassware. You are expected to learn and adhere to the following general safety guidelines to ensure a safe laboratory environment for both yourself and the people you may be working near. Additional safety precautions will be announced in class prior to experiments where a potential danger exists. Students who fail to follow all safety rules may be asked to leave the lab or suffer grading penalties.

Attire

  1. Safety goggles must be worn at all times while in the laboratory. This rule must be followed whether you are actually working on an experiment or simply writing in your lab notebook. You must wear safety goggles provided by the chemistry department.
  2. Contact lenses are not allowed. Even when worn under safety goggles, various fumes may accumulate under the lens and cause serious injuries or blindness.
  3. Closed toe shoes and long pants must be worn in the lab. Sandals and shorts are not allowed.
  4. Long hair must be tied back when using open flames.

Conduct

  1. Eating, drinking, and smoking are strictly prohibited in the laboratory.
  2. No unauthorized experiments are to be performed. If you are curious about trying a procedure not covered in the experimental procedure, consult with your laboratory instructor.
  3. Never taste anything. Never directly smell the source of any vapor or gas; instead by means of your cupped hand, waft a small sample to your nose. Do not inhale these vapors but take in only enough to detect an odor if one exists.
  4. Coats, backpacks, etc., should not be left on the lab benches and stools. There is a hook rack along the back wall at either end of the lab. There are coat racks just inside the each entrance to the balance room at the back of the lab. Beware that lab chemicals can destroy personal possessions.
  5. Always wash your hands before leaving lab.
  6. Learn where the safety and first-aid equipment is located. This includes fire extinguishers, fire blankets, and eye-wash stations.
  7. Notify the instructor immediately in case of an accident.

Proper Handling of Chemicals and Equipment

  1. Consider all chemicals to be hazardous unless you are instructed otherwise. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are available in lab for all chemicals in use. These will inform you of any hazards and precautions of which you should be aware.
  2. Know what chemicals you are using. Carefully read the label twice before taking anything from a bottle. Chemicals in the lab are marked with NFPA hazardous materials diamond labels. Learn how to interpret these labels.
  3. Excess reagents are never to be returned to stock bottles. If you take too much, dispose of the excess.
  4. Many common reagents, for example, alcohols and acetone, are highly flammable. Do not use them anywhere near open flames.
  5. Always pour acids into water. If you pour water into acid, the heat of reaction will cause the water to explode into steam, sometimes violently, and the acid will splatter.
  6. If chemicals come into contact with your skin or eyes, flush immediately with copious amounts of water and consult with your instructor.
  7. Never point a test tube or any vessel that you are heating at yourself or your neighbor--it may erupt like a geyser.
  8. Dispose of chemicals properly. Waste containers will be provided and their use will be explained by your TA. Unless you are explicitly told otherwise, assume that only water may be put in the lab sinks.
  9. Clean up all broken glassware immediately and dispose of the broken glass properly.
  10. Contact the stockroom for clean-up of mercury spills.
  11. Never leave burners unattended. Turn them off whenever you leave your workstation. Be sure that the gas is shut off at the bench rack when you leave the lab.
  12. Beware of hot glass--it looks exactly like cold glass.

Objectives

To obtain a working knowledge of basic safety in a chemistry laboratory.

Background

An accident in a chemistry laboratory can cause serious injury or death. However, potential hazards can usually be anticipated, thus preventing most accidents. Special note should be taken of specific instructions concerning potential hazards. In general, the following three rules should be remembered:

1)Read the experiment before coming to the laboratory, taking note of any chemicals the background information or procedures warn you about. Read through the procedures, making sure you understand each and every step, that you recognize all lab equipment and techniques discussed, and that you ask questions before starting the lab if you have them.

2)Use common sense when working with laboratory materials and apparatus.

  1. If working with glass, applying great force WILL break it
  2. If you have just heated something up and placed it aside to cool, 1 minute is NOT enough time, it is still hot, it will burn you
  3. Leaving your goggles sitting on the top of your head WILL NOT protect your eyes

3)If something should happen in a laboratory, know who to get help from, where the safety equipment is located in the lab, and then ASK and USE them.

Here are a set of simple rules widely accepted and carefully practiced by chemists of all levels.

1)Wear splash-proof goggles or glasses at all times when in a chemistry laboratory

  1. There is never a good excuse for an eye injury in a lab! If you wear contact lenses, it is NOT a good idea to wear contact lenses to a laboratory. There is a possibility that a chemical may flow under the edge of a lens and be held against the eye causing permanent damage. Lenses can make it more difficult to wash out a chemical, and fumes can adhere to the surface of a lens when they would otherwise leave the eye alone.

2)Know the exact location and operation of all safety equipment

  1. On the data sheet provided, in the blank area, draw a rough sketch of the lab, and the location of all identified safety equipment:
  2. The eyewash fountain
  3. Safety shower
  4. Fire alarm
  5. Fire blanket
  6. Fire extinguisher
  7. Fire pail
  8. Nearest emergency exit

3)Never work alone in the laboratory

  1. A laboratory instructor will always be present during the assigned lab period. The instructor will have prior knowledge of the day’s expectations and is there as the main source of guidance. If you encounter any difficulties, ASK your instructor.

4)Do only the experiment assigned by your laboratory instructor

  1. Never perform unauthorized experiments in a laboratory. Your safety depends on the people around you knowing what the procedures you are performing are.

5)Wear lab appropriate clothing

  1. Lab appropriate clothing is defined as clothing hat maximizes coverage of your body without being too loose it is a chemical or fire hazard
  2. Closed toed shoes only
  3. Snap closures are recommended in a lab coat for easy removal if necessitated
  4. Loose clothing and hair must be tied back away from chemicals and open flames

6)Place backpacks and other personal items away from your working area.

  1. Only authorized materials, the instructions, a notebook, and a pen or pencils, should be on your lab bench

7)Never eat, drink, smoke, chew, or apply makeup of any kind in the laboratory setting

  1. Lab benches can become contaminated during previous lab work, and setting an item of food or drink down can allow contamination to leak onto or into the item.
  2. Chewing gum is NEVER recommended, airborne contaminants may be about and your are chewing them into a piece of gum, allowing the contamination level to increase the longer you chew that gum

8) Dispose of ALL waste materials as directed by your instructor.

9) Help keep the laboratory clean at all times

10) Use good judgment and care when working in the laboratory stations.

Record ALL Miscellaneous Tips below:

Inserting glass tubing into a stopper:

Detecting Odors:

Handling of HOT objects:

MSDS:

In case of ACCIDENTS:

Chemical Spills:

Fire:

Cuts:

SAFETY INFORMATION

The safety information presented here applies to ALL chemistry laboratories. Therefore, you should become very familiar with it. Many experiments contain additional warnings concerning procedure or the correct handling of a chemical or apparatus. Pay special attention to these extras, and if you are unsure ALWAYS ask your lab instructor.

To become especially aware of the location of all safety equipment in this laboratory, find each of the following pieces of safety equipment or facilities, recording the location of each below. Also record the emergency phone numbers appropriate for this laboratory. In an emergency, this information could save you the necessary moments needed to prevent serious damage or injury. When completed, have your lab instructor sign and date and keep for your future records.

Shower:Fire exits:

Eyewash fountains:Fire extinguishers:

First Aid Station:Fire blanket:

Material Safety Data Sheets:Telephone:

Emergency Numbers:

______

Lab Instructor’s SignatureDate

SAFETY AGREEMENT

Anytime I am working in, or visiting, the laboratory, I will follow the laboratory

safety practices recommended in this module and take the following precautions:

  1. Wear splashproof goggles or glasses at all times.
  2. Know the exact location and operation of all safety equipment
  3. Never work alone in the laboratory.
  4. Do only the experiment assigned by my laboratory instructor
  5. Wear clothing that will provide the maximum possible protection.
  6. Place such things as purses, backpacks, sweaters, coats, scarves, and extra books in designated areas, preferably outside the laboratory.
  7. Never eat, drink, smoke, chew gum, or apply lipstick in the laboratory.
  8. Dispose of waste materials according to the directions of my laboratory instructor.
  9. Help keep the laboratory clean at all times.
  10. Use a fume hood when directed to do so.
  11. Use good judgment and care when working in the laboratory.
  12. Avoid touching hot objects.
  13. Read the labels on reagent bottles and containers to make certain that they contain the appropriate chemicals for the experiment.
  14. Wash hands thoroughly before leaving the laboratory.
  15. Immediately report all physical and chemical injuries to my laboratory instructor, no matter how minor the injury seems.

I have carefully read the discussion of the laboratory safety practices and the precautions listed above. I understand their importance in preserving the safety of everyone in the laboratory. I recognize my responsibility to follow these practices and precautions while I am present in the laboratory.

______

student’s signature date

______

instructor’s signature date

SAFETY QUIZ

FOR THE GENERAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORIES

Read the Safety Rules in the Laboratory Manual before completing this quiz. Passing score is 100% on the Safety Quiz.

  1. According to the dress code, what should you wear in the laboratory?
  1. What type of goggles should you wear and when should you wear them?
  1. In what cases might you be asked to leave the laboratory?
  1. Can you eat in the laboratory? Explain your answer.
  1. What should you do if:

A) you broke a beaker and cut your finger.

B) chemicals have splashed on your face.

C) the fire alarm sounds.

D) your lab manual has caught on fire.

E) your shirt has caught on fire.

F) chemicals have spilled on your pants.

  • If you’re unsure of any of these answers, an excellent online source can be found at:

Safety Practices in the Chemical Laboratory1