Summary of Important Lab Safety Rules

Safety in the laboratory is essential to prevent serious accidents to yourself and to others.
Heed the following directions and all directions given by your teachers. MOST ACCIDENTS CAN BE
PREVENTED IF YOU MAKE SAFETY A HABIT!! Learn these rules and follow them. USE COMMON
SENSE!

1. Read and follow all directions very carefully.

2. Never mix, touch, taste, heat, or inhale chemicals unless you are told it is okay to do so by your
teachers.
3. Do not drink water or any other substance from the equipment or water faucet.
4. Always wear protective equipment such as goggles, gloves, and an apron when these safety
devices are needed.
5. Handle all hot objects with clamps or tongs.
6. Take extra precautions in handling dangerous chemicals (such as acid).
7. Do not perform any experiments unless your teachers are present. No one is to touch the
equipment without permission or your lab may be cancelled.
8. When lighting a Bunsen burner, always place a lit match at the edge of the nozzle before turning
on the gas.
9. When heating test tubes, keep the test tube and its contents moving to distribute the heat. DO
NOT place the flame at the bottom of the tube.
10. Do not place a stopper in a test tube when heating.
11. Use a metal screen under all equipment that is being heated; this will help to distribute the heat
from the flame.
12. Turn off the gas when it is not in use.
13. Do not smell chemicals directly from the container. Always fan the top of the container if you are
given permission to smell a substance.
14. Never point a test tube you are heating toward anyone.
15. Always add acid to water, not water to acid; stir slowly.
16. If acid is spilled, tell the teachers so it can be cleaned up thoroughly. One drop can cause a
serious burn.
17. Check all glassware for cracks, chips, or discoloration. Turn in any damaged equipment to your
teachers.
18. Be sure all chemicals are marked. Know what it in your beaker!
19. Be careful of hair and clothing around flames. Long hair must be tied back.
20. Pay strict attention to your own lab group’s work. Don’t let your interest or attention wander.
21. Do no bring food to the Laboratory. It can cause contamination and lead to health hazard.

Each member has a responsibility to follow rules. Failure in following laboratory rules may lead to
accidents. All equipment will be broken due to member’s irresponsible handling may lead to replacing
the said apparatus

Signed by with Full Name of members and Section:

Lab Safety Rules – PRACTICE

1. Why is safety important in the lab?

_______________________________________________________

2. How can most accidents be prevented?

____________________________________________________

3. What should you do before you start the lab?

_______________________________________________

4. Name 5 things you should never do with a chemical unless given permission to do so by your
teachers: _______________ _______________ _______________ _______________
_______________

5. Do not drink water or any other _______________ from the _______________ or

_______________.

6. Name three protective devices that can be worn in the lab: _______________
_______________ _______________

7. Name two things that are used to handle hot objects: _______________
_______________.

8. What should you do when handling dangerous chemicals? ______________________

________________________________________________________________________

9. What can cause a lab to be cancelled? ______________________________________

10. What is the appropriate method for lighting a Bunsen burner? __________________
_______________________________________________________________________

11. Name two things you should not do when heating a test tube:
a. ________________________________________________________________
b. ________________________________________________________________

12. Turn _______________ the _______________ when it is not in use.

13. What is the proper way to smell chemicals if your are given permission to do so by
your teachers? ________________________________________________________

14. Never point a _______________ you are heating _______________ anyone.

15. Always add _______________ to _______________ NEVER _______________ to

_______________; then stir _______________.

16. What should be done if acid or another dangerous chemical is spilled? ___________
________________________________________________________________________

17. What can one drop of acid do?

_________________________________________________________

18. What 3 things do you check before using glassware? _______________ _______________
_______________
19. What should you do with damaged glassware?
_____________________________________________

20. Be sure all _______________ are _______________. Know what is in your ______________.

21. Name two things you should be careful about around flames: _______________ and
_______________