2.1 Lab Safety

Safety Learning Objectives

In this book, you will

• demonstrate safe procedures
• demonstrate scientific literacy
• demonstrate ethical, responsible and cooperative behaviour

Before you begin ...

1. Always read and follow all instructions and ask your teacher about anything you do not understand. 
2. Never do an experiment without the approval and direct supervision of an adult
3. Make sure you understand all the safety labels (HHPS and WHMIS).
4. Tie back long hair and avoid wearing loose clothing, such as scarves, ties, or long necklaces.
5. Wear proper safety protection as instructed by your teacher.
6. Know the location of safety and first-aid equipment, including fire extinguisher, fire blanket, first-aid kit, and fire alarm.

Personal Safety

1. When using a knife or razor blade, always cut away from yourself and others.
2. If you need to walk while holding scissors or other sharp objects, always keep the pointed ends facing away from yourself and others.
3. Work carefully and make sure your work area is not cluttered.
4. Do not use open flames unless you are instructed to do so.
5. Handle hot objects carefully. Bring the back of your hand close to, but not touching, the object. If you are burned, hold the burned area under cold water or put ice directly on it.
6. If you need to smell a chemical, hold the container away from your face and slowly move (waft or wave) the air directly above the container towards your nose with your hand.
7. To avoid electrical shock, make sure your hands are dry when touching electrical cords, plugs, or sockets.
8. Unplug electrical cords and equipment by holding the plug, not by pulling on the cord. Do not use equipment if the cord is frayed or cracked.
9. Never play or tamper with safety equipment.
10. Never drink or taste any substances during an activity.
11. Never eat or drink in the laboratory.
12. Never remove your goggles during an activity.
13. Never use cracked or broken glassware.
14. Wash hands carefully with soap and water after handling chemicals.
15. Clean equipment before you put it away.
16. Clean up your work area after you complete an activity.
17. Dispose of broken glass as your teacher directs.
18. Dispose of materials as directed by your teacher. Do not pour chemicals down the drain as they may get into a salmon-spawning stream or cause other problems.

Accident Response

1. If chemicals splash onto your body, immediately flush them off with water. If the chemical splashes in your eyes, wash your eyes immediately and continue for 10 minutes. Get to a physician as soon as possible. Proper laboratories will have eyewash stations and many have showers.
2. Tell your teacher immediately if an accident or spill occurs, no matter how minor.
3. If you are on fire, drop to the ground and roll on the floor to smother the flames. To help smother the flames, cover them with coats or blankets.
4. In case of fire, use a fire extinguisher (if available). Call 911 or the fire department.
5. Use sand or a large container to smother small fires. This cuts off the supply of oxygen.

HHPS

Hazardous Household Products Symbols (HHPS) are found on many household cleaners and on containers in the science laboratory. They alert the user to the potential dangers of that particular product. In recent years the symbols have changed. There used to be three shapes but now there are only two—the triangle and the octagon.

	This symbol means the container is dangerous. It can explode if heated or punctured causing flying bits of metal or plastic that can lead to serious injuries.
	Usually you will see the triangle with the explosive symbol inside it. Examples include aerosol cans, such as hair spray or spray paint.
	This symbol means the product inside the container is dangerous. The octagonal stop sign usually appears with one of three cautions.
	Product is corrosive and will burn skin, eyes, throat, or stomach. Examples include oven cleaner and toilet bowl cleaner.
	Product is flammable and will catch fire easily if it is near heat, flames, or sparks. Examples include gasoline and hair spray.
	Product is poisonous and will cause illness or death if ingested. Examples include furniture polish and windshield washer fluid.

WHMIS

All containers in the chemical storage area in your science classroom, if you are in a school, have Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) symbols. This system is used across Canada in every workplace that uses chemicals. Each chemical comes with an information sheet that gives all the known data on its toxic effects and other hazards.

Look at the following WHMIS symbols. Make sure you can recall the symbol with its meaning.

	Compressed Gas
	Flammable and Combustible Material
	Corrosive Material
	Oxidizing Material
	Dangerously Reactive Material
	Poisonous and Infectious Material Causing Other Toxic Effects
	Poisonous and Infectious Material Causing Immediate and Serious Toxic Effects
	Biohazardous Infectious Material

Safety Rules Review

Please complete this safety rules matching exercise: