A laboratory is a building or special room where chemicals and apparatus are kept and in which practical subjects such as Chemistry are studied.
Safety in the Laboratory
Since learning chemistry emphasises on practical work, it is necessary that certain rules are followed to ensure safety in the Chemistry laboratory.
The two common causes of accidents in the laboratory are ignorance and carelessness. Accidents are minimised when safety rules are followed.
All chemicals with environmental and health impacts must be stored in well labelled containers with appropriate safety warning symbols clearly visible.
Laboratory safety rules
1. NEVER run while in the laboratory because you may trip, fall and injure yourself or other users of the laboratory.
2. NEVER taste or eat anything in the laboratory to avoid poisoning.
3. Always consult your teacher before trying any experiment to avoid accidents.
4. Label all the chemicals you are using to avoid confusion.
5. Always use a clean spatula for scooping a substance from a container to prevent contamination.
6. Always hold test-tubes or boiling tubes using a test-tube holder when heating to avoid being burned.
7. When heating a substance in a test tube or boiling tube, NEVER let the open end face you or anybody else because the liquid may spurt out and cause injury.
8. NEVER look directly into flasks and test-tubes where reactions are taking place, because the chemicals may spurt into your eyes and cause injury.
9. NEVER smell gases directly, instead waft the gas towards your nose with your hand.
10. Experiments in which poisonous gases are produced must be carried out in a fume cupboard or outdoors.
11. Always keep flammable substances away from flames because they easily catch fire.
12. Report any accidents to the teacher or the laboratory technician immediately for necessary action.
13. In case of a serious accident such as fire, calmly walk out, DONT SCRAMBLE for the exit. Doing so would hinder easy escape.
14. Always extinguish flames that are not in use to avoid accidents and minimise fuel wastage.
15. If a chemical gets on your skin or in your mouth rinse it immediately with a lot of clean water.
16. Chemicals already used must always be disposed off safely to avoid contamination.
17. Always work on a clean bench. Clean all the pieces of apparatus used and store them at the end of each experiment.
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