A Mad Scientist’s Lab Safety PresentationA Mad Scientist’s Lab Safety Presentation

Rules and Guidelines

The Big No-No’s• No eating or drinking in the lab.

– This means no gum, cough drops, applying chapstick, chewing hair ends, holding a pencil in your mouth, nail-biting, etc.

– Never use lab glassware as food or drink containers.

– Never taste any substances or draw any material into a tube with your mouth.

– Never inhale chemicals. • No Horseplay of any kind• No unauthorized experimentation

Protect Yourself…• Use proper safety protection

– Goggles for eyes– Lab apron to protect clothes– Gloves to protect hands (chemical/heat)

• Tie hair back…its flammable!• Roll up long sleeves & remove dangling jewelry.• Touch substances only when told to do so• Smell substances using the proper technique

(wafting fumes toward you)• Wash hands after handling substances and before

leaving the Lab

Lab Procedures• Prepare a clear work environment

– No books in the way– Only materials need for lab

• Read ALL instructions and wait for permission to start; do not touch materials until instructed

• Work quietly and carefully• Observe good housekeeping practices. 

Work areas should be kept clean and tidy at all times. 

• Clean up all spills Immediately AND inform the teacher

More Lab Procedures• Dispose of broken glassware as instructed

by your teacher• Report broken or damaged equipment

immediately (DO NOT USE IT)• Clean up work area completely when you

are finished• Wash/dry all glassware thoroughly and

return as directed by your teacher• Report all accidents to the teacher

immediately (no matter how minor)

Protect Yourself…• Know about MSDS forms

– Material Safety Data Sheets– Show proper storage and handling of

chemicals– Discuss hazards and safety when using

chemicals including disposal• NEVER TASTE and always WAFT when

checking odors• Use carefully, especially when pouring

and measuring

Safety Equipment…

What and Where?

Symbols…General Warning

Biohazard

Explosive

Corrosive

Fire

Poison

NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION(NFPA) HAZARD LABELS

When entering the classroom, a student sees the lab setup above. What should the student do next?

A. Turn on the water faucetB. Cut the leaves into small pieces to prepare for the

experimentC. Organize the lab equipment so everything is ready to beginD. Wait for the teacher to give instructionsWait for the teacher to give instructions

To be safe, which of these should not be worn when collecting grass samples from a large field?

A. GlovesB. Long pantsC. SunscreenD. Open-toed shoesOpen-toed shoes

Which item would be safe to mix with chlorine bleach?

A. Sulfuric AcidB. AmmoniaC. VinegarD. WaterWater