Winthrp University - Safety in the Chemistry Labratry The Department f Chemistry, Physics, and Gelgy at Winthrp University makes every effrt t prvide a safe learning envirnment fr the chemistry student. All labratry experiments are checked fr safety when perfrmed accrding t the directins. STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR READING ALL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR PERFORMING EACH EXPERIMENT BEFORE COMING TO LAB. Part f the educatinal prgram in chemistry is t learn hw t handle ptentially hazardus materials in a safe and efficient manner. As with any activity where there is the ptential fr a serius accident, the fundamental respnsibility lies with the individual. The principle effrt in cnducting a safe labratry prgram is thrugh preparatin and cnstant vigilance. WHENEVER THERE IS ANY DOUBT ABOUT THE SAFETY OF A PROCEDURE OR WHAT PRECAUTIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN, ASK YOUR INSTRUCTOR BEFORE BEGINNING THE EXPERIMENT. The fllwing rules will be strictly enfrced. If yu vilate these rules, yu will be asked t leave fr the safety f the ther students. Yu will nt be allwed t return r cmplete the lab assignment at a later date. Always wear safety gggles. It is yur respnsibility t prvide department apprved safety gggles. Chemical splash gggles (NOT GLASSES) are required. Gggles must be wrn by everyne, including thse wh wear eyeglasses r cntact lenses. The bkstre sells the apprpriate gggles. It is pr persnal hygiene t share eye prtectin. The American Chemical Sciety Cmmittee n Chemical Safety has studied and reviewed the wearing f cntact lenses in the labratry. They recmmend that cntact lenses can be wrn in mst labratry envirnments prvided the same apprved eye prtectin is wrn as required f ther wrkers in the lab. If yu wear cntact lenses in the lab, yur instructr will give yu a clred sticker t place n yur gggles indicating that yu are wearing cntacts. Open-te shes are nt allwed. Clsed-te shes, preferably leather, that cver the entire ft are required fr each lab. If yu cme t lab with the wrng shes, yu will have t leave. Avid lse clthing that culd becme caught in equipment r easily knck ver cntainers.
Rubber aprns are available in the general chemistry labs and must be wrn while wrking in the labratry. N eating, drinking, r tbacc use in the labratry. Als, be sure t wash yur hands prir t leaving lab fr the day. Cell phnes and music players are nt allwed in lab. If yu must answer yur cell phne in lab, wash yur hands befre handling the phne. "Hrseplay" and unauthrized experiments are strictly frbidden Pull back lng hair, especially arund flames and caustic chemicals. Learn the lcatin f all safety equipment such as eyewash statins, safety shwers, fire blankets, and fire exits befre beginning wrk in the labratry. Keep aisles and exits clear. There are areas designated fr string bkbags. D nt stre yur bkbag n the flr. Clse yur lab drawer after remving labratry equipment. Practice gd husekeeping; leave the lab cleaner than yu fund it. Clean up small chemical spills immediately. Fr larger spills, ntify yur instructr immediately. Return equipment and chemicals t the apprpriate strage area when yu are finished using them. Be sure t inspect glassware befre using. Discard any glassware that is cracked, chipped, scratched r has any ther bvius defect. Discard brken glassware in the brken glass cntainer in the frnt f the lab. D nt insert glass tubing int a rubber stpper withut advanced training. There is special equipment that shuld be used in rder t minimize the risk f injury. Never leave an pen flame r rapid reactin mixture unattended. In the evident f a fire, turn ff yur Bunsen burner and exist the building. Always add acids t water never water t acids. Keep substances with irritating fumes under yur fume hd at all times.
Return caps and lids t all reagent bttles immediately after use. Dn't assume the next persn will d that fr yu. If yu remve it, put it back. Never return reagents t stck bttles. This cntaminates the stck and may cause a vilent reactin. Dispse f unused r cntaminated reagents in labeled cntainers as directed by the instructr. D nt put any chemicals dwn the drain unless therwise directed by yur instructr. Use extreme cautin when testing drs. Never pipet by muth. Always use a rubber bulb. Reprt any accident t yur instructr immediately. Never wrk alne in the labratry. If fr any reasn yur instructr feels that yur safety is in jepardy r that yu are jepardizing the safety f thers, yu will be asked t leave the lab. Yu will nt be allwed t return t make up missed wrk and yu will receive a zer fr that day's wrk. Yu will nt be allwed t return t future labs until the situatin is crrected.
Labratry Etiquette Other students use the wrkspace and equipment that yu use in this labratry. Always leave yur wrkspace clean. Labratry instructrs can deduct penalty pints fr pr husekeeping. There are detergents fr glassware, hand sap and paper twels available at each wrkstatin. In additin, much f the equipment is usually quite expensive. Treat the equipment with care. Balances are especially sensitive, expensive devices. Never weigh chemicals directly n the pan. Crrsive materials can damage the steel pan. Use a cntainer such as a beaker r flask. Remve the cntainer frm the balance, add the chemical, and then replace the cntainer n the balance. If yu spill anything n the balance, please ntify the instructr immediately. If yu find a piece f equipment that is nt in gd wrking rder, ntify yur instructr immediately. When wrking with "cmmunity reagents", take an apprpriate size cntainer t the frnt lab bench, and pur the apprpriate amunt f reagent int yur cntainer. Be sure t fllw the crrect prcedures (see belw) fr btaining chemicals frm a stck bttle. Never lay reagent bttle stppers r caps n the lab bench. The entire reagent may becme cntaminated. In additin, the residue n the bench may be hazardus and linger fr days r weeks. This culd injure smene well after the fact. Hld the stpper in yur ther hand while yu get the material ut f the bttle. Replace stppers immediately and cmpletely. Many chemicals have strng r txic drs and shuld be used in a fume hd nly. Fr example, acids and bases can be particularly hazardus. If yu are nt sure, be n the safe side and use yur hd. Cell phnes and music players are inapprpriate in lab.
Winthrp University - Safety in the Chemistry Labratry Accidents and Accident Preventin There are many ptential hazards that exist in the labratry. The best way t deal with such hazards is t prevent accidents frm happening. The fllwing are sme guidelines fr dealing with and preventing the mre cmmn accidents. When in the labratry, use cmmn sense, pay attentin t what yu are ding, and be alert as t what is ging n arund yu. Fr any type f accident, ntify yur instructr immediately. If yu are attempting t assist smene, d nt becme a victim yurself. Wear safety glasses and glves t prevent direct cntact. Accidents A. Chemical Expsure and/r Burns 1. Chemicals n the Skin in Cnfined Areas Immediately flush the area with cl water fr at least 15 minutes. Remve all jewelry t facilitate remval f any residual material. Have smene else ntify yur labratry instructr. Seek medical attentin If a delayed reactin is nted, reprt immediately fr medical attentin and explain carefully what chemicals were invlved. 2. Chemicals Spilled ver a Large Area f the Bdy The persn shuld immediately head t the nearest safety shwer. Ntify an instructr- Treat as a life threatening emergency. Call -911 r 323-3333. Once in the shwer, rinse first, and then remve clthes taking care nt t spread chemicals especially int the eyes. Wash head and remve clthing befre remving gggles. Flush skin fr 15 minutes, and seek immediate medical attentin. If a fire blanket is available it can be used as a shwer curtain fr smene using the safety shwer and then used t keep smene warm while waiting fr emergency help t arrive. Avid putting anything n the affected area; it may wrsen the cnditin and cause irritatin. Send MSDS with the injured persn
3. Chemicals in the Eyes Get the victim t an eyewash statin immediately, and rinse the eyes fr at least 15 minutes. Eyelids have t be frcibly pened t ensure effective washing behind the eyelid. Remve cntact lenses as sn as pssible s that the eye can be thrughly rinsed. Get medical attentin immediately. All eye injuries must be treated at the Crawfrd Health Services. 4. Ingestin f Chemicals Identify the chemical ingested Call -911 immediately B. Chemical Spills Turn ff all surces f ignitin. Ntify individuals in the area f the spill. Ntify yur instructr immediately f the spill and the chemical that was spilled. If any injury is invlved, and it can be dne safely, attend t injured r cntaminated persns, and remve them frm expsure. D nt attempt t clean up the spill yurself. Yur instructr will determine what needs t be dne in rder t clean up the spilled chemical. D. Fires If pssible, turn ff all surces f ignitin. Ntify everyne else in the labratry. Ntify yur instructr immediately and send smene t find anther faculty r staff member. If a persn is n fire, help them drp t the flr and rll, r take them t a safety shwer. If the fire is spreading quickly r yu are unsure as t what t d, evacuate the area and pull the fire alarm. D nt attempt t put the fire ut yurself. Preventin A. Accidents Keep yur wrkspace clean f clutter. D nt stre any items n the flr f a labratry, i.e. bk bags. There are strage areas prvided. Keep the sinks clear f waste. N slids f any kind ever g int the sink. D nt wrk with chipped r brken glassware.
There are specially marked cntainers fr all brken glass. D nt thrw glass in a trashcan. B. Fires The best way t handle fires is t prevent them. The fllwing is a list f sme f the things yu can d t help prevent fires frm starting: Keep yur wrk area free f clutter Never leave a Bunsen burner unattended and always turn ff the gas when finished. Even if yu plan n using the Bunsen burner again during the lab perid, always turn the gas ff after each use. If the fire bell rings while yu are wrking, turn yur Bunsen burner ff and exit the building calmly. Never use an pen flame t heat a flammable liquid. When wrking with an pen flame, keep yur hair pulled back if it is lng and watch that yur clthing des nt catch fire. D nt wear lng, lse fitting clthing.