Lab Safety

- Lab experiments, fires , BOOM!!, Explosions, Thunder storming test tube can be fun and exciting but they can be dangerous and some experiments are even Life-Risking or deadly, so we should have some experience of reading hazardous symbol, using safety equipment and emergency Protocols. We will start off with Hazard symbols

- Hazardous symbol : There are lots of hazardous symbol, here are some well-known and world wide use symbol

1.NFPA 704

2.General Hazards Symbol
2.1 Toxic : Can cause death if inhaled, touched or swallowed eg: Potassium Cyanide


2.2 Harmful : Danger to ourselves but not as danger as toxic

2.3. Corrosive : attacks or destroy other things. eg: Sodium Hydroxide, Perchloric acid, Hydrofluoric Acid


2.4 Irritant : cause redness or blister to skin but not severe as Corrosive eg:Calcium Hydroxide


2.5 Flammable : Catches fire easily. eg. Methanol


2.6 : Explosive  : explodes easily or react violently. eg. Sodium metal and other alkali metals, Nitroglycerin


2.7 : Radioactive : Emits rays or particles which can attacks or harms us. Eg: Uranium-235


2.8. Oxidizers : substances that give other substances oxygen to burn. eg. potassium Permanganate


- There can be much more hazards symbols, The above symbols are some famous ones that are easy to understand. Be Safe in the Lab and have fun with Chemistry Experiments 



- Next, we will talk about safety equipments. There are Lots of safety equipment in the Lab. Here are some popular and mostly-used ones.

1. Safety Goggles : Use for eye protection from chemicals spills and explosions so they don't damage our eyes.


2. Safety Gloves : Used For Hand protection from chemicals spills so they don't damage and burn our skin. 


3.Fume Hood : Used For doing experiments that emits or produces toxic gasses or fume so they don't harm us. The fume hood has an anti-corrosion fan so it sucks out toxic gases.  Some examples of toxic chemical with fume are : Hydrochloric acid, Hydrofluoric Acid. There are many types of fume hood, Be sure to  use the right or specific type with some chemicals.


4. Face Shields : This equipment is mostly used for face protection from explosive experiments. 


5.Apron : Used For Body and Clothes protection from 
Chemical spills.


6. Fire Extinguisher : Used For putting out fire from experiments that starts a fire and the fire gone overwhelming. There are many kinds of fire extinguisher, so use the right type for the fire's source.





7. First Aid Kit : For First aid of lab users before sending them to hospital for more medical treatment. 



8. Rinsing-bottles and saline solution : Use For eye rinsing if Chemical spills 


9. Safety Shower : To Wash out chemical spills on our body  


- The above list are only some of the basics, famous and mostly used Safety equipment, There can be much more equipment according on the experiment you are doing. Have fun and be safe with chemistry.



- Next, Here are Some Emergency Protocols

   1. Chemical spill on our Body : Quickly rinse the spilled area under running water or emergency sho then go to your teacher or supervisor for first aid.
   2. Burns : Rinse the area with water and then apply cream or medicine for burn from your first aid kit
   3. Cuts from Glassware or other things : wash and clean the cut with alcohol or water, apply some antiseptic and cover the cut with bandage. If the glassware breaks, tell your teacher or supervisor to clean the shatter remains.
   4. Fire : Use The Correct type of Extinguisher for the source of fire. Use fire Blanket For human torch. If the Fire is too big or overwhelming, evacuate the lab and call local fire department.
   5. Toxic Ingestion : Quickly bring the patient and the toxic chemical to the hospital or Medical Service immediately
   6. Toxic Gas inhalation and Unconsciousness : Bring Patient to open air immediately and evacuate the lab immediately if under control.
   7. Electrocution : Ram the Person who get electrocuted and if the patient are still unconscious, Perform CPR and Bring Patient to Medical service or Hospital.

- There are more ways of Emergency lab protocols depending on the symptoms of the patient and incidents. Be safe!


- Finally, Here are some Lab Safety Precautions.
   1. Always Wear Safety Goggles and Gloves
   2. Follow the instructions of your teacher or instructor and Lab Rules.
  3. Don't Mix Chemicals without being told to do.
  4. Stand up while Pouring Chemical so you can get back if it spill.
  5. Point boiling tube or blowtorch to the direction where there is nobody in front.
  6. Handle Glassware carefully.
  7. Don't Play or run in the Lab
  8. Be sure that safety equipment and safety protocols are prepared.
  9. Dilute chemicals if the experiment dosen't require Concentrated Chemicals. Dilute by Pour the Chemical in Water
  10. Put flammables Chemicals away From Fire.
  11. Tie Long Hair and tuck in loose clothes or shirt to prevent human torch
  12. Always Check that chemical labels are in good and readable condition. If don't replace it by a new one.
  13. Label chemical in beakers or other containers without label by using markers.
  14. Keep Chemicals out of children's reach. Some chemicals are ment to use by an experience chemist only.
  15. Dilute or neutralize Acid or base before disposal.
  16. Dispose Toxic chemicals In a specific place. 
  17. Keep Chemicals by types and properties.

- Here are just some precautions. Be Safe and Have Fun !!!