Unit B Lesson 1:  Chemistry Safety

 Learning Targets

Big Question: How can injuries be prevented in the lab and at home?
 We use chemicals for many purposes at school, at home, and at work. It is your responsibility to make sure you know how to work with each chemical safely.

At the end of this inquiry, you should be able to answer the following questions:

  • What are the colours and shapes associated with the three levels of hazards?
  • What does WHMIS stand for?
  • Where is WHMIS used?
  • What are five lab safety rules?
Pages 92 to 96 in your text will help you answer these questions about how to safely work with chemicals.


Introduction

Safety in the lab and at home when using chemicals is extremely important! 

Lesson B1 has three parts.  In these you will learn:

  • Household Safety Hazard Symbols
  • WHMIS Symbols
  • Lab Safety


Watch

Watch the video "Lab Safety" for an introduction to safety hazard symbols. Follow along using the Household Safety Hazard Symbols chart .


 

Figure 1 – Household safety symbols.
 
 
 
The Safety Hazard Symbols table in Figure 1 contains seven safety hazard symbols.  Watch the video "Safety with Chemicals" that explains the 3 levels of hazards.

Hazardous Household Products Symbols (HHPS)

Each safety hazard symbol is placed in a shape.  The more sides the shape has, the more dangerous the substance is.



Figure 2 – Spray paint can

In Figure 2 you can see three safety hazard symbols.

The symbols can be in colour (red, orange and yellow), but most often they appear in black on products. What do the symbols on the can of spray paint mean?  Click each symbol to check the answer.

Danger: flammable
Caution: explosive
Danger: poisonous




WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) Pictograms

You will note that the WHMIS pictograms used here are different than the ones used in your textbook.  The reason for this is that in February of 2015, WHMIS was updated.  Your textbook contains the symbols from the old system.  You will notice though, that most of the symbols are quite similar.


The 2015 update to WHMIS brought Canada's safety symbols into alignment with much of the rest of the world. WHMIS is now part of the standardized system named Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals, also known as GHS.


Try It!

Practice Worksheet: WHMIS Pictograms

  1. DOWNLOAD this practice worksheet (S9_UB_S1_L1a_whmis_symbols). If you prefer to use a Google Drive or PDF version of the worksheet, click here.

  2. Complete the worksheet as you watch the video below "GHS Pictogram" or by downloading the following document from the Government of Canada.

  3. When you are satisfied with your responses you can check your work by clicking on the "SUGGESTED ANSWERS" button below the GHS Pictogram video.

    Wait! Don't view the suggested answers first. This practice work is not for marks, it is meant to help you check your understanding. Check the answers AFTER doing the questions! Keep the practice worksheet for study purposes. If you don't understand something, contact your teacher!


Watch

Watch the "GHS Pictogram" video to learn about warning symbols that are placed on hazardous materials.  Note:  Dangerous chemicals can have more than one WHMIS pictogram on the label.


Watch


Now that you have an understanding of the symbols, learn about how to stay safe in the science lab. Watch the "Lab Safety Rap" video below, then read the Lab Safety Rules on Page 95 in Science in Action 9 to help you stay safe in any science laboratory situation.
Read the Lab Safety Rules on Page 95 in Science in Action 9.



Try It! 

Lab Safety Table

  1. DOWNLOAD this practice worksheet (S9_UB_S1_L1b_lab_safety). If you prefer to use a Google Drive or PDF version of the worksheet, click here.

  2. Some of the students are not following proper safety procedures. There are ten inappropriate actions shown. The numbers on the picture indicate the location of ten problems in the lab, which are listed on the table in the worksheet. Suggest a better, safer way to perform each action.

  3. When you are satisfied with your responses you can check your work by clicking on the "SUGGESTED ANSWERS" button below.

Wait! Don't view the suggested answers first. This practice work is not for marks, it is meant to help you check your understanding. Check the answers AFTER doing the questions! Keep the practice worksheet for study purposes. If you don't understand something, contact your teacher!
Look at Figure 1.1 on page 93 of Science in Action 9.




Figure 3 – An unsafe science lab, from figure 1.1, Science in Action 9 page 93 student book