A laboratory is usually equipped with several safety devices. Make sure you know where they are and how to use them in an emergency. Also, following the following rules will ensure that the device is ready for use at all times. Lab safety in middle and high school is important because it teaches students how to behave as lab professionals, which prepares them for science labs and college-level career positions. Well-informed, equipped, and safety-conscious students take safety precautions with them as adults and learn to think before diving into potentially dangerous laboratory experiments and tests. High school teachers who exemplify effective lab safety give students a quick start in science. Laboratory safety should be a matter of course and become your habit. Remember that you are responsible for your own safety as well as that of the other people who work around you. A laboratory presents potential risks due to exposure to corrosive and toxic materials, flammable solvents, high-pressure gases, explosive chemicals and hazardous microbes. A little care and adherence to prescribed safety guidelines will help avoid lab breakdowns. The most important rule as a student in a laboratory is to follow all instructions. Your instructor is aware of the risks in the current lab and knows how to protect you and others.

Dress for the lab. This is a safety rule because your clothes are one of your best forms of accident protection. For each science lab, wear covered shoes, long pants, and hold your hair in the air so it doesn`t fall into your experiment or a flame. A safety data sheet can often be found in production facilities or laboratories that work with chemicals. Although it is a standard document in these. Chemical spills: In the event of a minor chemical spill, alert people in close proximity, put on appropriate PPE, limit spills, and use the spill kit to absorb and neutralize them if necessary. Major chemical accidents require the assistance of safety and emergency personnel.16 Not sure where the safety equipment is? Check the lab for safety features and look for them before starting an experiment. Unlike the guidelines in the laboratory dress code, personal protection rules cover what employees must wear in the laboratory to protect themselves from various hazards, as well as the basic hygiene rules to follow to avoid any type of contamination. Follow the “dress code” and hygiene rules described in this section to protect yourself from hazards and contamination. Maintaining a safe science lab helps students learn teamwork and responsibility. Science labs are not like English or social studies classes.

Students need to practice mindfulness, awareness, and concern for the well-being of others, as a mistake in a laboratory environment can have serious consequences. Safety in the science lab teaches students to make decisions that benefit the group, not just the individual. Since chemistry labs are one of the most common types, these basic chemistry lab safety rules are relevant for many scientists who are concerned about safely performing common activities and tasks in an average chemistry lab: Store combustible and combustible materials in safety cabinets that offer features such as a double-walled steel structure with an insulated room. or raised door sills to contain spills.10 Acids and bases should be stored in separate cabinets, as they would react violently if both leaked. Laboratory rules are important to ensure everyone`s safety. Many chemicals in a chemistry lab can harm you and the people around you if not handled properly. Many different incidents can occur in a laboratory, so there are rules to prevent them. Here are the safety rules that were mentioned most often in our look at the guidelines of several laboratories: The laboratory safety rules explained above can help you avoid accidents. However, guidelines are only effective if they are followed by each member of the laboratory. We therefore recommend that you check that your laboratory`s safety instructions are up to date and share this article with your colleagues. If you wish, you can also download the regulations in the form of posters. Activate your safety showers regularly to see if they are working as expected.

It is important that the flow rate is adequate and the temperature is in the warm range.7 From chemicals to electrical equipment, laboratories face a variety of safety risks, which is why it`s so important to understand the importance of laboratory safety. If something goes wrong, more than your research project plan can be affected. Equipment can be damaged, fines can be imposed, and members of your team can be injured. Please note that although this article is intended to cover the most important rules, it is not exhaustive. You should complete it by reading the safety documentation provided by your laboratory and making sure you comply with local and national regulations. Laboratory housekeeping rules also apply to most facilities and deal with the basic maintenance, order, and maintenance of a safe laboratory. Follow the instructions! Whether you`re listening to your instructor or lab manager, or following a procedure in a book, it`s important to listen, pay attention, and familiarize yourself with all the steps, from start to finish before you begin. If you`re not sure about a point or have questions, have them answered before you begin, even if it`s a question about a step later in the journal. Know how to use all lab equipment before you begin. Perhaps not as common as some of the other laboratory safety rules listed here, many labs use lasers and it`s important to follow some important rules of thumb to avoid injury. In particular, thinking accidents are something many employees may not think about.

A clear set of rules for the use of lasers is essential to ensure that everyone is aware of all hazards and that the appropriate personal protective equipment is worn at all times. Define storage areas, make sure hallways, safety exits and safety equipment are unobstructed, and keep your work area clean and tidy. Below are rules that apply to almost all labs and should be included in most safety guidelines. They cover what you need to know in an emergency, proper signage, safety equipment, safe use of laboratory equipment, and basic common sense rules. Another important aspect of laboratory safety that has a significant impact is knowing how to properly use laboratory equipment. In this section, we will briefly discuss the key points to consider in addition to regular maintenance. If, despite all precautionary measures, an accident occurs, it must be documented and reported to the biosafety officer. Their contact information and other emergency numbers should be placed in a prominent place, such as on the laboratory door. Biosafety cabinets (BSCs) of various types are used to protect you, the environment and the products they contain from aerosols and contamination when handling biologically hazardous substances. Before you start working in a BSC, you need to clean and disinfect it and organize your materials in a logical order, from clean to contaminated.

Avoid fast, lateral arm movements and move your arms in and out of the closet as little as possible during the experience. When you`re done, empty the cabinet and disinfect it again. For more information, see our article on using a biosafety cabinet. Use Bunsen burners only in areas free of flammable materials and chemicals that produce flammable fumes. To further reduce the risk of fire, never leave a Bunsen burner on unattended and remember to turn off the gas after use. However, a leak is still possible and you should consider using a safety Bunsen burner regardless of gas distribution systems. This solution adds an extra layer of safety as the gas valve closes automatically when the flame is extinguished. The same rules apply to transportation inside the building, and you must also use a labeled conveyor that decontaminates the surface before leaving the lab. If possible, avoid passing through common areas such as cafeterias on the way to your colleague`s lab and use a cart rack for a high number of samples. All of us who know that glass is fragile.

Therefore, when working with glassware in the laboratory, it is important to handle it carefully and wear safety glasses. Beakers, test tubes and vials should be inspected for chips or cracks before use. You should also wear chemical-resistant protective gloves when working with chemicals in glass containers, as well as other necessary protective equipment. If you work in a lab, it`s important that you know the equipment in your workspace, even if you don`t use it yourself. It`s also important to pay attention to what other researchers, collaborators and colleagues around you are doing/using. Safety is important in middle and high school science labs to ensure students and teachers are not put at risk.