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:
//www.phys.ksu.edu/area/jrm/Safety/msds.html
//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
Safety Guidelines
1.
Read through the procedures of each laboratory activity before you start the labso that you are familiar with them.
2.
Know how to locate and use all safety equipment in the laboratory, including thefume 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.
3.
4.
Always conduct your experiments with adult supervision.5.
Wear safety goggles when handling all hazardous chemicals, working with an openflame, or when otherwise instructed.
6.
Wear an apron or a smock to protect your clothing in the laboratory when using chemicals.7.
Tie back long hair, and secure any loose-fitting clothing.8.
Never eat or drink in the laboratory.9.
Wash your hands before and after each activity in the lab.10.
Keep the work area free of any unnecessary items.11.
Wash all utensils thoroughly before and after each use.12.
Never smell or taste any chemicals unless instructed to do so by your teacher and theexperiment instructions.
13.
Do not experiment or mix chemicals on your own. Many chemicals in the lab areexplosive or dangerous.
14.
When using scissors or a scalpel, cut away from yourself and others.15.
When heating substances in a test tube, always point the mouth of the test tubeaway from yourself and others.
16.
Clearly label all containers with the names of the materials you are using.17.
Report all accidents to the teacher immediately, including breakage ofmaterials, chemical spills, and injury.
18.
Do not pick up broken glass with your hands. Sweep up broken glass with abroom, and dispose of the glass in a container labeled for glass disposal.
19.
Never return unused chemicals to their original containers. Follow your teacher�sinstructions for the proper disposal and cleanup of all materials.
20.
Clean up your equipment and work area before leaving the lab.21.
Be certain that all Bunsen burners, gas outlets, and water faucets are turned offbefore 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.
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Handling of Chemicals:
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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Eye Safety
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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Clothing Protection
Wear your laboratory apron. It will help to protect your clothing from stains or damage.
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Glassware Safety
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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Sharp Objects
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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Heating Safety
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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Fire/Explosion Safety
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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Electrical Safety
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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Poison
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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Animal Safety
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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Plant Safety
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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