Chemistry Laboratory Safety Rules

Even the best-laid of human plans can go awry--which is why safety is such an essential consideration for all work in a chemistry lab. Experiments often involve strong acids and bases, unstable materials and chemicals that can react violently with each other if mixed. When working in a lab, be sure to observe safety precautions.

Clothing

• Always wear splash-proof goggles while in the lab. According to Florida Atlantic University, federal law mandates the use of safety eyewear in chemistry labs. Always wear closed-toe shoes, and tie back long hair as some hairsprays and gels are flammable. Wear clothing that covers your body completely, and make certain that your clothes aren't loose enough they could drape on counter tops or into a beaker while you work. Wearing a lab coat is generally best to avoid getting chemicals on your clothes. Always wear gloves when working with hazardous chemicals like strong acids or bases.

Equipment

• Know the location and proper use of each item of equipment in the lab. All chemicals stored in the lab should have material safety data sheets (MSDS) available, which outline the properties of the chemical and potential hazards. Read the MSDS before working with a given chemical and be aware of any hazards associated with its use. Always ensure that equipment is in good condition before beginning an experiment--it's unwise to work with faulty or damaged equipment. Perform all experiments with volatile chemicals under a fume hood for safety.

Storage

• Chemicals should be stored in chemical storage cabinets, or in flammable storage cabinets if they are highly flammable. Rather than storing chemicals alphabetically, which could place chemicals that can react in close proximity to each other, segregate chemicals into groups depending on the type of hazard they pose. Flammables, oxidizers, acids, bases, water reactive substances and extremely toxic chemicals are all categories of hazardous materials that should be kept separate from each other. All chemicals should be labeled and dated when stored. Minimize the amount of highly reactive chemicals you need to use in your lab if at all possible. Inspect chemical storage containers for leaks or damage regularly. Never store chemicals on shelves above eye level.

Lab Procedures

• Always try to minimize the extent to which chemicals are carried around the room by keeping a chemical in a single location and dispensing it at that location only. When taking supplies back to your bench, always carry them properly with both hands and exercise caution. Familiarize yourself with the type of experiment you are to perform before you perform it and know what the products of the reaction will be, together with any hazards the reaction or its products might pose.

Accidents

• If a container breaks, don't try to pick up the glass with your hands; sweep it up with a dustpan. In the event of a chemical spill, confine the spill to a small area if possible, notify all other lab personnel immediately, and turn off any nearby sources of heat or open flame. If the spill is small, it may be possible to clean it up with a nonreactive absorbent material; larger spills of acids or bases may be washed off with water. Do not attempt to wash off water reactive substances, mercury, radioactive materials or other extremely hazardous contaminants with water, but follow your lab's procedures for dealing with an emergency instead. In the event of a fire, immediately set off the building fire alarm then extinguish the fire with an extinguisher if possible. If your initial attempt to do so is unsuccessful, leave the building immediately in accordance with your lab's fire evacuation instructions. If you should accidentally light yourself on fire, do not run; instead, stop, drop and roll. In the event that you spill a chemical on yourself or other personnel, remove any contaminated clothing and wash the affected area using the safety shower. Seek medical attention immediately.