When a student is conducting an experiment What piece of safety equipment is necessary in the case of a chemical spill on the students clothes?

A key to laboratory safety is wearing the right attire and appropriate personal protective equipment. Here are some recommendations on what to wear in the laboratory. Additional information is available on the EHS website or the EHS web-based training module on PPE.

Standard lab attire

• Work shirt that covers the upper torso and arms.
• Lower body clothing that covers the entire leg to the ankle (e.g., pants, skirt, coveralls, lab coat) and fully protects exposed skin.column break
• Closed-toe shoes that cover the top of the foot and are made of leather or synthetic leather or another material that resists rapid penetration by spilled liquids or sharps.
• In laboratories where a fire danger is present, avoid clothing made of synthetic fibers like nylon, polyester, polypropylene or acrylic, which can melt if ignited. Wear less flammable natural fibers, such as wool, cotton, jute, flax and silk.

Standard personal protective equipment

Lab coat:

• Long-sleeved laboratory coat with ribbed cuffs, or gown or coveralls, made from flame-retardant material.
• Chemical-resistant apron and sleeves for handling corrosives and chemicals that are toxic when absorbed through the skin.

Eye protection:

• Safety spectacles with side shields.
• Goggles for handling chemicals that can cause eye damage.
• Supplement goggles with a face shield when risk of injury is great.

Gloves:

• Examination gloves are appropriate for routine lab activities.
• To avoid contact with toxic chemicals, use gloves made specifically to resist hazards or chemicals.

Hearing protection:

• If you can’t easily communicate with another person at a 3-foot distance, noise may exceed safe levels. Consult EHS for a noise exposure evaluation and recommendations for hearing protection.

Respirator:

• Consult EHS if you intend to use a respirator, even if it is only a filtering mask. Respirator use must meet certain conditions, and EHS personnel can ensure that you use the proper respirator for the type of work you plan to do.

For more information contact Brenda Osthus, environmental health and safety director, (402) 472-4927.

Lab Safety

Objectives:

    1.    Demonstrate proper behavior in a lab situation.

    2.    Determine the proper procedure in the event of a lab accident.

    3.    Recognize Safety Symbols used in the text, experiments and in the classroom.

Key Terms:

Web Resources:

    http://www.phys.ksu.edu/area/jrm/Safety/msds.html

    http://hazard.com/msds2/

Notes

"There lies a man so cool and placid

He poured the water into the acid

Alive are the ones that did what they ougther�,

they poured the acid into the water"

Remember that safety is your responsibility in the laboratory.  Read all directions carefully and ask your instructor whenever there is a question.  Pouring water into acid creates a violent reaction liberating large amounts of hydrogen gas.  The cool person now is the one who read directions.

Safety Guidelines    Symbols    Fire    Chemical handling    Eye Safety    Clothing protection    Glassware Safety    Sharp objects    Heating safety    Fire/explosion safety    Electrical safety    Poison    Animal safety    Plant safety

so that you are familiar with them.

fume hood, emergency shower, first aid kit, fire blanket, fire extinguisher, and eyewash.

Also be sure to locate the nearest exit in case of an emergency.

flame, or when otherwise instructed.

experiment instructions.

explosive or dangerous.

away from yourself and others.

materials, chemical spills, and injury.

broom, and dispose of the glass in a container labeled for glass disposal.

instructions for the proper disposal and cleanup of all materials.

before leaving the lab.

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Safety Symbols

In Case of Fire

When clothing is on fire, the victim should not run. This merely fans the flame. Either smother the fire by wrapping the victim in a fire blanket/wet coat or douse the fire under the emergency shower.

1)        Respect all chemicals and be cautious when handling them, especially those you know very little about.

2)        Corrosive and toxic chemicals must be handled in the fame hood.

3)        Laboratory coats and safety glasses must be worn.

4)        Never use your mouth to pipette dangerous liquids- Use a rubber safety bulb for all pipetting purposes.

5)         Do not carry bottles containing corrosive liquids (concentrated acids, bromine etc) by their necks. There are baskets specially made for that purpose.

6)         Do not pour or dispose of hazardous materials in the sink. Labeled residual bottles should be used and kept in the fume cupboard.

7)        Compressed gas cylinders must be properly strapped and not left standing on their own.

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1)        Wear your laboratory safety goggles when you are working with chemicals, open flame, or any                     substances that may be harmful to your eyes.

2)        Know how to use the emergency eyewash system. If chemicals get into your eyes, flush them out with plenty of water for 15 minutes.  Inform your teacher.

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        Wear your laboratory apron. It will help to protect your clothing from stains or damage.

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1)        Check glassware for chips or cracks. Broken, cracked, or chipped glassware should be disposed of properly.

2)        Do not force glass tubing into rubber stoppers. Follow your teacher�s instructions.

3)        Clean all glassware and air-dry them rather than drying with a towel.

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1)        Be careful when using knives, scalpels, or scissors.

2)        Always cut in the direction away from your body and from others who are nearby.

3)        Inform your teacher immediately if you or your partner is cut.

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1)        Turn off heat sources when they are not in use.

2)        Point test tubes away from yourself and others when heating substances in them.

3)        Use the proper procedures when lighting a Bunsen burner.

4)        To avoid burns, do not handle heated glassware or materials directly. Use tongs, test-tube holders, or heat-resistant gloves or mitts.

5)        For heating, use glassware that is meant to be used for that purpose.

6)        When heating flasks or beakers over the laboratory burner, use a ring-stand setup with a square of wire gauze.

7)        Use a water bath to heat solids.

8)        When heating with a laboratory burner, gently move the test tube over the hottest part of the flame.

9)        Do not pour hot liquids into plastic containers.

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1)        Tie back long hair and roll up long sleeves when working near an open flame. Confine loose clothing.

2)        Do not reach across an open flame.

3)        Know the location and proper use of fire blankets and fire extinguishers.

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1)        Be careful when using electrical equipment.

2)        Check all electrical equipment for worn cords or loose plugs before using.

3)        Keep your work area dry.

4)        Do not overload electric circuits.

5)        Be sure that any electrical cords are not in a place where someone can trip over them.

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1)        Do not mix any chemicals unless directed to do so in a procedure or by your teacher.

2)        Inform your teacher immediately if you spill chemicals or get any chemicals on your skin or in your eyes.

3)        Never taste any chemicals or substances unless directed to do so by your teacher.

4)        Keep your hands away from your face when working with chemicals.

5)        Wash your hands with soap and water after handling chemicals.

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1)        Handle live animals with care. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, inform your teacher.

2)        Do not bring wild animals into the classroom.

3)        Do not cause pain, discomfort, or injury to an animal.

4)        Be sure any animals kept for observations are given the proper food, water, and living space.

5)        Wear gloves when handling live animals. Always wash your hands with soap and water after handling live animals.

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1)        Use caution when collecting or handling plants.

2)        Do not eat or taste any unfamiliar plant or plant parts.

3)        Wash your hands with soap and water after handling plants.

4)        If you are allergic to pollen, do not work with plants or plant parts without using a gauze face mask.

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What piece of safety equipment is necessary in the case of a chemical spill on the student's clothes?

Which safety precaution is recommended when a liquid is being heated in a test tube?

What safety procedure should you follow when cleaning up at the end of an investigation?

Why should Bunsen burners not be used when heating organic materials?