Safety Standards for Lab

When I think of a perfect lab set up, I think of a classroom that is very clean and orderly. I think that it is imperative that the classrooms are this way because if they are cluttered or the chemicals are not organized then an accident could happen very easily. I will be working with few chemicals but it is imperative that the chemicals be stored appropriately and in a locked closet that the students cannot get to. The teacher should be the only one with a key and the students should not be able to handle any large amounts of chemicals. When rock hammers, and tools for identifying minerals such as a glass plate or porcelain plate, nail, etc. are used appropriate rules need to be told and demonstrated to the student before they even touch them. I know when I was going through school, as a student I had to sign a paper that I passed a quiz on safety procedures before lab officially began. If I did not pass the quiz then I had to retake it and was not able to participate in the labs until I did pass it.


The first 10 safety procedures or rules of safety that I came up with are as follows:

1. Do not touch anything until you are told to. If there are supplies at your workstation, you must not touch them or pretend to use them as weapons, or toys.
2. When handling chemicals, ask your teacher before getting them. Do not go into the chemical storage area and get them yourself.
3. Be aware of safety rules around the classroom and obey them. (These should be standard operating rules that are on a poster indicating safe lab procedures.
4. Identify the safety equipment. This means locating the safety eye/face washer, fire extinguisher, fire blanket, first aid kit, and safety emergency shower. Know how to operate all safety equipment but do not tamper or play with equipment unless it is an emergency.
5. Don’t eat or drink in lab. There could be chemicals on the surface and you do not know if they are toxic or if they were cleaned up appropriately.
6. Never perform laboratory experiments unless directed to and under the supervision of the teacher.
7. Do not run, or horseplay in lab. You may hurt yourself or another student unintentionally.
8. Report any spill or accident to a teacher. Do not try to clean up a spill by yourself. Notify the teacher immediately.
9. Dress appropriately for lab. This means long pants, closed toed shoes, and hair tied back if it is long. If you are not appropriately dressed then you will not be able to participate in lab.
10. Always wash your hands after lab with soap and water. This is imperative as you don’t know what might be on your hands.