Safety Procedures at the Chemistry Laboratory
1. To dilute an acid, always pour the acid into water. Add it slowly, with stirring, to avoid splattering or overheating.
2. To smell a chemical, do it cautiously by fanning the fumes gently toward your nose from a distance first.
3. To clean up your bench area, the waste paper or plastic products goes in waste baskets; the waste solid chemicals go in labeled solid waste containers; the waste liquid chemicals go in labeled waste liquid waste bottles. Broken glass must be swept into a dustpan with a broom and thrown away in a special container for broken glass.
4. If an acid is spilled on the skin, wash immediately with large amount of cold water, then put some baking soda on your skin to make a paste and rinse with cold water again. If an acid is spilled on the clothing, remove contaminated clothing immediately to protect your skin.
If an acid is spilled on the bench top, immediately add some baking soda to the acid, and then wipe the paste away with adequate paper towel. Notify the instructor of the spill accident as soon as possible.
5. If a base is spilled on the skin, wash immediately with large amount of cold water, then pour some vinegar on your skin and rinse with cold water again. If a base is spilled on the clothing, remove contaminated clothing immediately to protect your skin.
If a base is spilled on the bench top, immediately add some vinegar to the base, and then wipe the liquid away with adequate paper towel.
Notify the instructor of the spill accident as soon as possible.
6. If a drop of chemical is accidentally splashed into the eye, immediately flush the eye with large amount of water at the eye wash station.
7. If a drop of non-corrosive chemical is accidentally spilled on the bench top, wipe it with adequate paper tower and place it in the labeled solid chemical waste container.
8. In case of burning accident, wash your hand immediately with cold water before get to the first aids.
After each lab session, clean up your bench area and return all equipment to its proper place. Wash you hands before leaving the lab.
After each lab session, clean up your bench area and return all equipment to its proper place. Wash you hands before leaving the lab.