Science Lab Safety  (minimum grade is 100%!)

Answer as TRUE or FALSE.

1. Long hair must be tied back, especially in the area of an open flame.

2. It's OK to have combustible materials near an open flame.

3. When heating a test tube, point it in the direction of your friend so s(he) can see what's happening.

4. Report any accident, no matter how small, to your teacher.

5. You should perform only those procedures and activities assigned to you for the lab.

6. Always pour acid into water when mixing the two substances.

7. Work areas can be left messy, just like your room. After all, you know that the teacher will clean up after you, just like your mom does at home.

8. When testing for odors, use a "wafting" motion.

9. Dispose of waste materials as instructed by the teacher.

10. Clean up spills immediately, and notify the teacher of spills involving chemicals.

11. Hot glassware can be placed in cold water so it cools fast, thus saving you time at the end of the period.

12. Always replace the cover on a chemical container after you have removed what you needed.

13. It is permissible to eat, drink, and walk barefoot in the lab.

14. To speed up lab work, it is permissible to throw things across the room, such as rubber stoppers, beakers, test tubes, and $38 volumetric flasks.

15. Broken glass must be cleaned up carefully using a broom and dustpan, never your bare hands.

16. If you are tired, you may sit on the lab tables, even though concentrated acids, corrosives, or free radical organics may be present.

17. If you catch on fire, be sure to run faster than the flames to escape the heat.

18. If you accidently get chemicals in your eyes, immediately place them in the eyewash or under the faucet to dilute and flush the chemical.

19. Always use the proper set up for the lab, never a makeshift apparatus.

20. Safety glasses must be worn during the entire lab. The only exception is when the teacher says that safety glasses are not required.

21. Loose clothing, such as sweaters, should be tied or removed before doing the lab.

22. Along with my teacher, it is my responsibility to maintain and practice safe procedures in the laboratory.

In fact, there are times when inconsiderate, stupid behavior can result in my sitting down immediately, with a grade of zero on the lab, and my parents being notified of my actions. These rules are called sit down rules by my science teacher. I may also be asked to stay after school to review lab safety with my teacher. I'll tell you, I'm not going to violate any of these sit down rules, which briefly are:

1.

2.

3.

4. to be announced if it happens!


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