STUDENT SAFETY PRACTICES IN THE LABORATORY 1. Laboratory Safety Guide

Transcription

1 STUDENT SAFETY PRACTICES IN THE LABORATORY 1 Laboratory Safety Guide

2 STUDENT SAFETY PRACTICES IN THE LABORATORY 2 PURPOSE Science is a hands-on laboratory class. You will be doing many laboratory activities which require the use of hazardous chemicals. Safety in the science classroom is the #1 priority for students, teachers, and parents. To ensure a safe science classroom, a list of rules has been developed and provided to you in this student safety guide/contract. These rules must be followed at all times. These precautions and suggestions are for your own safety and that of your classmates. Study this guide thoroughly and keep it in your notebook where it will be available for reference at any time. Failure to follow these instructions can result in suspension from the lab and/or a lower grade. The attached form must be signed by both you and a parent or guardian before you can participate in any laboratory. The guide is to be kept in your science folder as a constant reminder of the safety rules. GENERAL SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS Conduct yourself in a responsible manner at all times in the laboratory. Follow all written and verbal instructions carefully. If you do not understand a direction or part of a procedure, ask the instructor before proceeding. Never work alone. No student may work in the laboratory without an instructor present. When first entering a science room, do not touch any equipment, chemicals, or other materials in the laboratory area until you are instructed to do so. Do not eat food, drink beverages, or chew gum in the laboratory. Do not use laboratory glassware as containers for food or beverages. Perform only those experiments authorized by the instructor. Never do anything in the laboratory that is not called for in the laboratory procedures or by your instructor. Carefully follow all instructions, both written and oral. Unauthorized experiments are prohibited. Be prepared for your work in the laboratory. Read all procedures thoroughly before entering the laboratory. Never fool around in the laboratory. Running, horseplay, practical jokes, and pranks are dangerous and prohibited. Observe good housekeeping practices. Work areas should be kept clean and tidy at all times. Bring only your laboratory instructions, worksheets, and/or reports to the work area. Other materials (books, purses, backpacks, etc.) should be kept under your desks when conducting a lab. Keep aisles clear. Push your chair under the desk when not in use. Know the locations and operating procedures of all safety equipment including the first aid kit, eyewash station, safety shower, fire extinguisher, and fire blanket. Know where the fire alarm and the exits are located. Always work in a well-ventilated area. Use the fume hood when working with volatile substances or poisonous vapors. Never place your head into the fume hood. Be alert and proceed with caution at all times in the laboratory. Notify the instructor immediately of any unsafe conditions you observe. Dispose of all chemical waste properly. Never mix chemicals in sink drains. Sinks are to be used only for water and those solutions designated by the instructor. Solid chemicals, metals, matches, filter paper, and all other insoluble materials are to be disposed of in the proper

3 STUDENT SAFETY PRACTICES IN THE LABORATORY 3 waste containers, not in the sink. Check the label of all waste containers twice before adding your chemical waste to the container. Labels and equipment instructions must be read carefully before use. Set up and use the prescribed apparatus as directed in the laboratory instructions or by your instructor. Keep hands away from face, eyes, mouth and body while using chemicals or preserved specimens. Wash your hands with soap and water after performing all experiments. Clean all work surfaces and apparatus at the end of the experiment. Return all equipment clean and in working order to the proper storage area. Experiments must be personally monitored at all times. You will be assigned a laboratory station at which to work. Do not wander around the room, distract other students, or interfere with the laboratory experiments of others. Students are never permitted in the science storage cabinets or preparation areas unless given specific permission by their instructor. Know what to do if there is a fire drill during a laboratory period; containers must be closed, gas valves turned off, fume hoods turned off, and any electrical equipment turned off. When using knives and other sharp instruments, always carry with tips and points pointing down and away. Always cut away from your body. Never try to catch falling sharp instruments. Grasp sharp instruments only by the handles. If you have a medical condition (e.g., allergies, pregnancy, etc.), check with your physician prior to working in lab. Ask for instructions whenever you do not clearly understand how to handle a chemical or conduct an experiment. Observe all signs, labels, and other directions that recommend caution. Always perform the experiments or work precisely as directed by the teacher. Never leave experiments while in progress. Never attempt to catch a falling object. Hot glassware looks just like cold glassware. Never point the open end of a test tube containing a substance at yourself or others. Do not leave lit Bunsen burners unattended. Turn off all heating apparatus, gas valves, and water faucets when not in use. Do not block the sink drains with debris. CLOTHING Safety glasses will be worn at all times while working in the laboratory no matter how insignificant it may seem. There will be no exceptions to this rule! Lab coats or protective shirts must be worn at all times while working in the laboratory. Dress properly during a laboratory activity. Long hair, dangling jewelry, and loose or baggy clothing are a hazard in the laboratory. Long hair must be tied back and dangling jewelry and loose or baggy clothing must be secured. Shoes must completely cover the foot. No sandals allowed. Wear disposable gloves, as provided in the laboratory, when handling hazardous materials. Remove the gloves before exiting the laboratory. Synthetic finger nails are not recommended in the laboratory; they are made of extremely flammable polymers that can burn to completion and are not easily extinguished. Wear a lab coat or long-sleeved white shirt with an apron at all times during a lab. Wearing pants that completely cover the legs are preferable. Secure loose clothing (especially loose long sleeves, neck ties, or scarves).

4 STUDENT SAFETY PRACTICES IN THE LABORATORY 4 Remove jewelry (especially dangling jewelry). ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES Report any accident (spill, breakage, etc.) or injury (cut, burn, etc.) to the instructor immediately, no matter how unimportant it may appear. If a chemical splashes in your eye(s) or on your skin, immediately flush with running water from the eyewash station or safety shower for at least 20 minutes. Notify the instructor immediately when mercury thermometers are broken, mercury must not be touched. Notify the instructor immediately. HANDLING CHEMICALS AND EQUIPMENT All chemicals in the laboratory are to be considered dangerous. Do not touch, taste, or smell any chemicals unless specifically instructed to do so. The proper technique for smelling chemical fumes will be demonstrated to you. Check the label on chemical bottles twice before removing any of the contents. Take only as much chemical as you need. Never return unused chemicals to their original containers. Watch for the word CAUTION on laboratory materials. Use such materials only after you understand clearly how to handle them safely. Clean up your laboratory position when done with work. Dispose of any solid waste materials in the refuse can, waste liquids in the sink. Pour waste acids into the sink with the water running. Do not put solids in the sink. Hold containers over the sink when pouring any concentrated acid. If acids or bases (especially if they are concentrated) are spilled on the skin, clothing, or especially eyes, rinse thoroughly with water and call the teacher immediately while rinsing. Never take chemicals out of the laboratory. Keep chemicals away from your clothing. Use suitable containers as instructed to carry laboratory materials to your place of work. Use materials in the smallest quantities possible not only to avoid waste but also to avoid accidents; a small quantity may be safe while a larger amount could be hazardous. Use special caution in handling inflammable materials and hot objects. Wash bottles are to be filled with distilled water only. Using wash bottles for purposes other than that for which they were designed will not be tolerated. Always wash your hands with soap before leaving the laboratory for your next class. SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND HOW TO USE IT First Aid kit: One first aid kit is located by the door at the entrance of the classroom. It contains gauze squares, small, adhesive bandages and antibiotic ointment. If any injury occurs which cannot be handled with these supplies, then the student can be escorted to the office to receive treatment. Broom and Dust Pan: In the Chemistry lab we use a lot of glassware. Glassware usually winds up getting broken some time during the semester. When that happens, it is unsafe to pick up the broken glass with your hands. Instead, notify your teacher and he/she will assist you in using a broom and dust pan to collect the broken glass. Fume Hoods: The fume hoods are large cabinets which have sliding glass doors in front. Fume hoods are used to protect you from harmful fumes, gases and odors. The fume hood has an air duct in its ceiling which is attached to a powerful fan. When the fan is turned on, the air in the fume hood is pulled up through the duct, carrying away any harmful fumes or smoke. Any time your experiment

5 STUDENT SAFETY PRACTICES IN THE LABORATORY 5 will produce harmful or bad-smelling gases or smoke, you will perform the experiment in the fume hood. Sink: While the sink is used for cleaning glassware and many other tasks, it is also a part of our safety equipment. If you happen to get chemicals onto your hands or forearms, you must move quickly to the sink to rinse the chemicals off. The treatment for any chemicals which get on the body is to rinse the affected body area for 15 minutes under cold running water (or as long as you can stand it). When you are in the lab, if you notice that you have a mysterious itch on your arm which just won't go away, assume that it is a chemical on your skin and wash with soap and plenty of water. Safety showers and eye wash stations: When you are in the lab, make sure you locate the safety showers and eye wash stations and look very carefully at them. You should know where they are and how they operate before an accident happens. The treatment for any chemicals which get on the body is to rinse the affected body area for 15 minutes under cold running water (or as long as you can stand it). If chemicals are splashed into your face they should not reach your eyes because you will be wearing safety goggles. If this sort of accident happens, leave your goggles on while you go to the eye-wash station. There you should wash your face with the goggles still on until you are reasonably sure most of the chemical is gone from your face. Then you should remove your goggles and wash again. Fire extinguishers: While you are in the laboratory, please look carefully at the fire extinguishers. Notice how they are attached to the wall, and what you would have to do to get them off of the wall. Read the instructions on the side of the fire extinguisher so you will be familiar with their use. If you ever need to use a fire extinguisher, remember the following (A) pull the pin, (B) aim to the side at first, (C) depress the handle, (D) sweep the spray from side to side across the BASE of the fire (where the fire meets the fuel), not just at the flames! When the fire is out, clean up the area! Note: Never spray a person with a fire extinguisher. The chemicals in the fire extinguisher can be harmful. WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT Always tell your instructor about all accidents immediately!!! Broken glass: Do not pick up broken glass with your fingers! Get a broom and dust pan. Sweep the broken glass into the dust pan and dump it into the specially marked containers provided in each lab. Small chemical spill: Wipe up liquid spills with paper towels and dispose of them as your instructor suggests. Solids should be dissolved in water, if possible, and wiped up. Otherwise, sweep them up with a broom and a dust pan and dispose of them as your instructor suggests. In all cases, after the chemical spill has been wiped up, rinse the area with water to make sure that all residual chemicals have been removed. Large chemical spill: Move away from the area of the spill. Warn the people around you LOUDLY. Call your instructor! Let the expert handle the clean-up! Chemical splash in your face, goggles on: If the goggles have protected your eyes, DON T TAKE YOUR GOGGLES OFF! to the eye wash station and rinse your face quickly with the goggles still on. Then remove the goggles and rinse your face again. Chemical splash or broken glass in your face, goggles off: First of all there should be no reason for you to not have goggles on but if this sort of accident happens, you may not be able to see well enough to go to the eye wash station on your own. YELL FOR HELP and cooperate with anyone who comes to your aid. Large splash of dangerous chemical on your clothing and/or body: 1. Move away from the area where the spill occurred (you don't want to get more chemical on you). 2. CALL LOUDLY FOR HELP

6 STUDENT SAFETY PRACTICES IN THE LABORATORY 6 and to warn others to stay away from the spill. 3. Remove any contaminated clothing. 4. Use the safety shower. (The treatment for chemical exposure is 15 minutes under cold running water, or as long as you can stand it.) Small, confined fire: If you have a small fire in a container, (for instance, a small beaker full of alcohol has caught fire) find something you can use as a lid for the container. When the container is covered, the fire will quickly burn itself out. Call the instructor for help. Small, open fire: If you have a small fire which is not in a container, move away from the fire and SHOUT FOR HELP! You can use a fire extinguisher to put the fire out. If you ever need to use a fire extinguisher, remember the following (A) pull the pin, (B) aim to the side at first, (C) depress the handle, (D) sweep the spray from side to side across the BASE of the fire (where the fire meets the fuel), not just at the flames! When the fire is out, clean up the area! Large fire: SHOUT FOR HELP and leave the area immediately! The fire alarm will probably sound. When it does, evacuate the building and TELL EVERYONE YOU CAN, where the fire is. Your clothing on fire: Don't run! It will only fan the flames and make the fire worse! Instead, you should STOP moving, DROP to the ground (lie down!), and ROLL on the ground to squash out the flames! Note: If you want to help a person who is in this sort of trouble, don't use a fire extinguisher! You must never use a fire extinguisher on a human being. The chemicals in the extinguisher can be harmful! Fire Alarm: If a fire alarm sounds you must evacuate the building immediately! To evacuate properly, you should quickly and calmly do the following: 1. Turn off all flames and unplug any hot plates or other electric equipment you are using. 2. Walk calmly out the door, down the hall, down the stairs, and away from the building. Your instructor will escort the class out of the building. Try to stay together as a class, and stay near to your instructor. If your class is allowed back into the building, you should finish your experiment, or at least clean up what you have left on your desk. WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF AN INJURY OR ILLNESS Small cut: Tell your instructor, and let your instructor look at the injury. Wash the injury thoroughly with water. If the injury is minor, you may use the first aid kit in the laboratory. (The first aid kit contains triple antibiotic ointment and adhesive bandages.) If your injury still hurts so badly that you can't finish the experiment, then you may be escorted to the office so the cut can be treated. Large cut: Tell your instructor, and let your instructor look at the injury. To stop or slow down bleeding, apply pressure to the wound. If the wound is very large or there is glass or other foreign matter in the wound, then apply pressure around the arm or leg to slow the bleeding. In all cases, a large cut must be attended to by medical professionals! If you can walk, you may be escorted to the office or you may wait while an Emergency Medical Service team is called. Small burn: Tell your instructor, and let your instructor look at the injury. Chemical burns and heat burns should both be treated with lots of cold running water. Never put anything but cold water on a burn! After this treatment, if the burn still hurts badly enough that you cannot complete the experiment then you will be escorted to the office so the burn can be treated. Large burn: In all cases, a large burn must be attended to by medical professionals! Tell your instructor, and let your instructor look at the injury. Then you may be escorted to the office or you may wait while an Emergency Medical Service team is called. Fainting: In all cases, an Emergency Medical Services team will be called! If you feel like you might faint, please ask for an escort to the office before it is too late. You can usually lie down there, and you may avoid the need of calling for emergency help.

7 STUDENT SAFETY PRACTICES IN THE LABORATORY 7 LABORATORY GUIDE CONTRACT & MEDICAL EMERGENCY FORM Somerset Academy Central Miramar Campus 9300 Pembroke Road Miramar, FL Phone: (954) Name of Student: Date of Birth: Class Period: Student Address: Medical Conditions: Known Allergies: Medications Taken on a Regular Basis (include dosage and administering directions): Person to Call in an Emergency: Name: Phone: Relationship to Student: Name: Phone: Relationship to Student: Name: Phone: Relationship to Student:

8 STUDENT SAFETY PRACTICES IN THE LABORATORY 8 In case of an emergency, I hereby authorize the physician selected by school personnel to provide the necessary medical treatment for my child. I have read and understand the terms of this Laboratory Safety Guide/Contract. I am aware of my child s responsibilities, which are stated in this document. Parent/Guardian (print) Parent/Guardian (signature) Date I have read and understand the terms of this Laboratory Safety Guide/Contract. I accept the responsibilities stated in this document. Student Name (print) Period Student (signature) Date