Biology Laboratory Safety Rules
Mrs. A. Johnson
2016-2017 School Year
While working in the science laboratory, you will have certain important
responsibilities that do not apply to other classrooms. You will be working with
many different materials and apparatus, which, if handled carelessly or
improperly, have the potential to cause injury or discomfort to yourself and/or
someone else.
A science laboratory can be a safe place in which to work if you, the student, are
alert and cautious. The following practices must be followed:
1. Always approach laboratory experiences in a serious and courteous manner.
2. Locate all safety and emergency equipment such as the emergency shower,
eyewash and facewash station, fire blanket, fire extinguisher, fire alarm box
and exits.
3. Report any accident to the teacher immediately, no matter how minor it
may be, this includes reporting any burn, scratch, cut, or corrosive liquid on
skin or clothing.
4. Prepare for each laboratory activity by reading all instructions before
coming to class.
5. Wear appropriate eye protection, safety goggles, as directed by the
instructor whenever you are working in the laboratory.
6. Do not wear loose or bulky clothes or dangly jewelry in lab.
7. Wear shoes that cover the toes, rather than sandals, in the laboratory.
8. Tie back long hair away from the face.
9. Let the teacher know if equipment is not working or not working properly.
10. Use only those materials and equipment authorized by the instructor.
11. Students with open skin wounds on hands must wear gloves or be excused
from the laboratory activity.
12. Eating or drinking in the laboratory or from laboratory equipment is not
permitted.
13. Never taste any chemicals used in the lab.
14. Place books, purses, and such items in the designated storage area. Take
only laboratory manuals and notebooks into the working area.
15. Keep work areas clean. Floors and aisles should be kept clear of equipment
and materials.
16. Carefully check the label on every reagent bottle that is used before
removing any of the contents. Read the label twice.
17. Clean up any nonhazardous spill on the floor or workspace immediately.
18. Keep all surface areas clear. Only essential materials and equipment should
be in the laboratory.
19. Never pour reagents back into bottles, exchange stoppers of bottles, or lay
stoppers on the table. Use spoons or spatulas to remove solid chemicals
from containers
20. Do not mix materials together or try out equipment to see what will happen.
21. Light gas burners only as instructed by the teacher. Be sure no volatile
materials (such as alcohol or acetone) are being used nearby.
22. Use a burner with extreme caution. Keep your head and clothing away from
the flame and turn it off when not in use.
23. Dispose of laboratory waste as instructed by the teacher. Use separate,
designated containers (not the wastebasket) for the following:
• Matches, litmus paper, wooden splints, tooth- picks, and so on
• Broken and waste glass
• Rags, paper towels, or other absorbent materials used in the cleanup of
flammable solids or liquids
• Hazardous/toxic liquids and solids
24. Operate electrical equipment only in a dry area and with dry hands.
25. When removing an electrical plug from its socket, pull the plug, not the
electrical cord.
26. Treat all animals in the science laboratory humanely; that is, with respect
and consideration for their care.
27. If live animals are present in the lab, follow all care instructions given by the
teacher.
28. Do not play or “horse around” in the lab.
29. Be sure that the gas is shut off tightly before leaving the lab. Do not touch
the gas outlet when not in use.
30. Never heat fully sealed containers. Never point a test tube at another
student or yourself.
31. Allow plenty of time for hot glass to cool.
32. Use the fume hood for any substances, which produce bad odors or
poisonous vapors.
33. Never place a thermometer where it might roll off a desk. Use anti-roll
devices.
34. Thermometers are not to be used as stirrers.
35. Clean up lab area before leaving the lab.
36. Keep hands away from face, eyes, and clothes while using solutions,
specimens, equipment, or materials in the laboratory.
37. Splashes and fumes from hazardous chemicals present a special danger to
wearers of contact lenses. Therefore, students should preferably wear
regular glasses (inside splash-proof goggles, when appropriate) during all
class activities or purchase personal splash proof goggles and wear them
whenever exposure to chemicals or chemical fumes is possible.
38. Know where the material safety data sheet (MSDS) is and what it indicates
for each of the hazardous chemicals you are using.
39. Students are not permitted in laboratory storage rooms or teachers’
workrooms without the approval of the teacher.
40. Never carry hot equipment or dangerous chemicals through a group of
students.
41. Wash hands with soap and water before leaving the lab
42. Always ask. It’s better to be safe than to be sorry.
Note: Persistent or willful violation of the regulations will result in the loss of
laboratory privileges and possible dismissal from the class.
Please see the “Student Science Safety Contract” on the following page.
TO PRINT...OPEN THE FOLLOWING LINK:
biology_laboratory_safety_rules16-17.pdf
Mrs. A. Johnson
2016-2017 School Year
While working in the science laboratory, you will have certain important
responsibilities that do not apply to other classrooms. You will be working with
many different materials and apparatus, which, if handled carelessly or
improperly, have the potential to cause injury or discomfort to yourself and/or
someone else.
A science laboratory can be a safe place in which to work if you, the student, are
alert and cautious. The following practices must be followed:
1. Always approach laboratory experiences in a serious and courteous manner.
2. Locate all safety and emergency equipment such as the emergency shower,
eyewash and facewash station, fire blanket, fire extinguisher, fire alarm box
and exits.
3. Report any accident to the teacher immediately, no matter how minor it
may be, this includes reporting any burn, scratch, cut, or corrosive liquid on
skin or clothing.
4. Prepare for each laboratory activity by reading all instructions before
coming to class.
5. Wear appropriate eye protection, safety goggles, as directed by the
instructor whenever you are working in the laboratory.
6. Do not wear loose or bulky clothes or dangly jewelry in lab.
7. Wear shoes that cover the toes, rather than sandals, in the laboratory.
8. Tie back long hair away from the face.
9. Let the teacher know if equipment is not working or not working properly.
10. Use only those materials and equipment authorized by the instructor.
11. Students with open skin wounds on hands must wear gloves or be excused
from the laboratory activity.
12. Eating or drinking in the laboratory or from laboratory equipment is not
permitted.
13. Never taste any chemicals used in the lab.
14. Place books, purses, and such items in the designated storage area. Take
only laboratory manuals and notebooks into the working area.
15. Keep work areas clean. Floors and aisles should be kept clear of equipment
and materials.
16. Carefully check the label on every reagent bottle that is used before
removing any of the contents. Read the label twice.
17. Clean up any nonhazardous spill on the floor or workspace immediately.
18. Keep all surface areas clear. Only essential materials and equipment should
be in the laboratory.
19. Never pour reagents back into bottles, exchange stoppers of bottles, or lay
stoppers on the table. Use spoons or spatulas to remove solid chemicals
from containers
20. Do not mix materials together or try out equipment to see what will happen.
21. Light gas burners only as instructed by the teacher. Be sure no volatile
materials (such as alcohol or acetone) are being used nearby.
22. Use a burner with extreme caution. Keep your head and clothing away from
the flame and turn it off when not in use.
23. Dispose of laboratory waste as instructed by the teacher. Use separate,
designated containers (not the wastebasket) for the following:
• Matches, litmus paper, wooden splints, tooth- picks, and so on
• Broken and waste glass
• Rags, paper towels, or other absorbent materials used in the cleanup of
flammable solids or liquids
• Hazardous/toxic liquids and solids
24. Operate electrical equipment only in a dry area and with dry hands.
25. When removing an electrical plug from its socket, pull the plug, not the
electrical cord.
26. Treat all animals in the science laboratory humanely; that is, with respect
and consideration for their care.
27. If live animals are present in the lab, follow all care instructions given by the
teacher.
28. Do not play or “horse around” in the lab.
29. Be sure that the gas is shut off tightly before leaving the lab. Do not touch
the gas outlet when not in use.
30. Never heat fully sealed containers. Never point a test tube at another
student or yourself.
31. Allow plenty of time for hot glass to cool.
32. Use the fume hood for any substances, which produce bad odors or
poisonous vapors.
33. Never place a thermometer where it might roll off a desk. Use anti-roll
devices.
34. Thermometers are not to be used as stirrers.
35. Clean up lab area before leaving the lab.
36. Keep hands away from face, eyes, and clothes while using solutions,
specimens, equipment, or materials in the laboratory.
37. Splashes and fumes from hazardous chemicals present a special danger to
wearers of contact lenses. Therefore, students should preferably wear
regular glasses (inside splash-proof goggles, when appropriate) during all
class activities or purchase personal splash proof goggles and wear them
whenever exposure to chemicals or chemical fumes is possible.
38. Know where the material safety data sheet (MSDS) is and what it indicates
for each of the hazardous chemicals you are using.
39. Students are not permitted in laboratory storage rooms or teachers’
workrooms without the approval of the teacher.
40. Never carry hot equipment or dangerous chemicals through a group of
students.
41. Wash hands with soap and water before leaving the lab
42. Always ask. It’s better to be safe than to be sorry.
Note: Persistent or willful violation of the regulations will result in the loss of
laboratory privileges and possible dismissal from the class.
Please see the “Student Science Safety Contract” on the following page.
TO PRINT...OPEN THE FOLLOWING LINK:
biology_laboratory_safety_rules16-17.pdf