Laboratory Safety
- Follow the teacher’s directions carefully.
- Work quietly, move slowly and carefully in the laboratory.
- Wear safety glasses when handling chemicals, glassware or heating equipment.
- Wear filled-in shoes.
- Keep hair, clothing, notebooks, paper and computers away from heating equipment, glassware, chemicals, water and flames.
- Stand at the work bench; do not sit on it.
- Tell the teacher of breakages and spills (including water) immediately they occur.
- Point test tubes away from eyes and other people while heating the test tube.
- Wait until equipment is cool before putting it away - do not use cold water for cooling hot equipment.
- Dispose of solid waste (paper, used matches, other solids) in the waste bin only.
- Leave all tables and benches clean and dry and put all equipment away before leaving.
- Obtain permission from the teacher before touching any laboratory equipment.
- Wash and dry your hands after completing practical.
- NEVER perform any kind of unauthorised experiment.
- NEVER eat, put things in your mouth, chew or drink in the laboratory.
- NEVER deliberately taste or smell chemicals unless instructed to do so by the teacher