Safe Lab Practices

Over 40,000 Albertans make disabling injury claims per year! Most injuries can be prevented by following safety rules.

Source: https://work.alberta.ca/documents/2015-ohs-data.pdf


© Argonne National Laboratory CC2.0
B1.3 emojis, one with safety goggles, one with an eyepatch
Even though the risk of injury in a high school laboratory is low, there are occasions when accidents do happen. Following basic, common sense safety rules reduces the risk of injury and accidents.

Basic Laboratory Safety Rules

  1. Follow all instructions, both written and verbal.
  2. Wear personal protective equipment (PPE), safety goggles, gloves, and an apron/lab coat as required.
  3. Wear long pants and closed-toed shoes.
  4. Contact lenses are forbidden.
  5. Tie back hair, especially around open flames.
  6. No horseplay in the laboratory.
  7. No food or drink in the laboratory.
  8. Do not wear earbuds/headphones.
  9. Keep your workstation neat and tidy.
  10. Learn where and how to use safety equipment, such as an eyewash station, fire blanket, fire extinguisher, safety shower.
  11. Ensure all equipment is in good working order.
  12. Being aware of your surroundings—Is that beaker hot?
  13. Waft when smelling.
  14. Never look directly into a container and ensure reacting containers are pointed away from all people.
  15. Never pour liquids into a container that you are holding.
  16. Label all containers.
  17. Do not return used chemicals back to the stock container.
  18. Let your teacher know when there is a spill or if lab equipment breaks.
  19. Clean up all spills immediately.
  20. Dispose of waste properly: Use the broken glass container, waste collection vessel, or trash as appropriate.
  21. Wash your hands before leaving the lab.

  Read This

Please read pages 7 and 456 in your Science 10 textbook. Make sure you take notes on your readings to study from later. You should focus on safety in the laboratory. Remember, if you have any questions or you do not understand something, ask your teacher!

  Practice Questions

Complete the following practice questions to check your understanding of the concept you just learned. Make sure you write complete answers to the practice questions in your notes. After you have checked your answers, make corrections to your responses (where necessary) to study from.

  1. What footwear is best to have on during a chemistry lab?

    Closed-toed shoes, in case chemicals get spilled. This will protect your feet and make the spill easier to clean.

  2. Why should you tie long hair back and ensure you are not wearing baggy clothes?

    Both are fire hazards. There is an increased risk of knocking over lab equipment and vision might be obscured.