[Music]
Introduction to Safety in the Chemistry
Lab This learning activity introduces
students to emergency and safety
equipment, and safe use of chemicals and
supplies. No eating or drinking in the
lab! No horseplay in the lab! In case of
fire, know where emergency fire
equipment, like the fire blanket and
extinguisher, is located. Know how to use
equipment before you need it. For
splashes and spills, know where the
eyewash and body drench stations are. Know
how to properly use each one.
Beware of broken glass. Broken glass
should be swept up and disposed of in an
approved waste container. Look out for
any chemical spills and inform your
instructor of any spills. Pouring liquids.
Pour liquids carefully into smaller
containers by using a beaker and a
funnel. Pour onto the side of the funnel
to help reduce splashing. Obtaining
liquids from a stock bottle. Wear
chemical splash goggles. A lab apron, or
lab coat, helps to protect against
chemicals that can destroy clothes and
injure skin. Pour chemicals carefully
into a beaker or other container that
has a pouring spout. Light fires with
caution,
always wear chemical splash goggles, if
using a match, strike it first, then turn
on the gas. Using a striker is safer than
using a match.
Slowly turn on the gas while making
sparks next to the burner tip. Use
holders to handle hot objects. Test tube
clamps let you heat chemicals in a test
tube without getting burned.
General-purpose laboratory holders allow
you to move hot beakers, flasks, and other
glassware safely.
Ready, aim, heat. Wear chemical splash
goggles and a lab apron or lab coat if
required. Get ready by lighting the
burner and having test-tube and tongs
nearby. Aim the mouth of the test tube
away from you and others. Hold the test
tube with the holder.
Heat gently by moving the test tube back
and forth over the flame. Heat the top of
the liquid, not the bottom. What's wrong
here? Chemical splash goggles are on her
head instead of over her eyes. Her hair
is not tied back. An open flame is near a
flammable liquid. The lab worker has long,
loose sleeves, and she is not wearing an
apron. Heating and stirring liquids. A
combination hot plate and magnetic
stirrer provides safer conditions than
an open flame in many situations.
Stirring is by means of a small, coated
magnet placed in the bottom of the
beaker. A hot plate heats without the
danger of an open flame. "Get a whiff," but
safely... Don't try to check for odors
directly. Instead, use your hand to gently
wave possible odors toward your nose.
Breathe in just enough to detect any
odor, don't overdo it. Clamps, rings, and
stands. A stand serves as a base for
attaching various rings and clamps. A
clamp can be used to hold items such as
a test tube. A ring can hold a funnel, or,
with a pad on the ring, a beaker.
Equipment to use with a ring and stand. A
wire gauze pad is placed under a beaker
or flask on a ring for safer heating. A
triangle will hold a crucible while it
is being heated. Examples of equipment
being used safely. A beaker of non-
flammable liquid is being heated out a
wire gauze pad and ring. A crucible is
being heated on a triangle, notice the
lid position which allows vapors to
escape.
Let's test your knowledge. Is this safe?
No, suspected orders should be gently
waved toward the nose. Is this safe? No,
the test tube should be pointed away and
the posture should be less relaxed. Is
this safe? No, a funnel should be used
when pouring into a small container. Is
this safe? No, a burner should be used
here. Is this safe? Yes, a chemical that
was splashed into the eye is being
washed out. Is this safe? Yes, eye protection
is being worn and a hot plate is used to
heat a liquid. Is this safe? No, the top of
the liquid should be heated to prevent
blow out of the liquid. Is this safe? Yes,
eye protection and a lab coat are being
worn. Is this safe? Yes, eye protection and a
lab coat are being worn, a funnel is
being used for pouring into a small
container. Is this safe? Yes, a lab coat is
being worn and an eyewash station is
being used to rinse out chemicals. Is
this safe? Yes, eye protection and a lab coat
are being worn, a hood is being used to
carry fumes away.
Is this safe? No, although eye protection
and a lab coat are being worn, and a hood
is being used, the lab workers should be
paying attention to what she is doing. Is
this safe? Yes, hood, eye protection, and
lab coat are all in use. And finally, is
this safe?
No, the worker needs to keep an eye on
what she is pouring.
Congratulations! You have completed this
activity "Introduction to Safety in the
Chemistry Lab."