Lab Safety: Everyone Is Responsible!
Safety In the Science Lab
Rules and Symbols
Biology
2023-2024
Safety First
• Science is a hands-on laboratory class.
• Safety in the science classroom is the #1 priority.
• A Lab Safety Contract with rules for lab safety was
provided with the syllabus. These rules must be followed
at all times.
• A signed lab safety contract is required to participate in
labs.
• A lab safety quiz must be passed with at least an 80 to
participate in labs.
General Safety Guidelines
• Be Responsible at All Times. No
horseplay, practical jokes, pranks, etc.
• Follow all instructions carefully.
• Do not touch lab equipment until instructed to do
so.
• Food, drink, and gum are not allowed in the
science classroom.
Lab Safety: Everyone Is Responsible!
General Safety Guidelines
● Lab procedure/Pre-lab will be read prior to
entering the lab
● Keep the science room clean and organized.
● Upon entry, backpacks will be kept at the
front of the room
● Notify the teacher immediately of any
accidents or unsafe conditions in the
science classroom!
● Wash your hands with soap and water after
experiments.
Lab Safety: Everyone Is Responsible!
Safety Symbols
Eye Protection
• Chemicals, flames, or heating devices.
• If a chemical gets in your eye, flush in water for 15
minutes and notify the teacher.
Sharp Objects
• Always walk with the points facing down.
• Cut away from fingers and body.
Electrical Safety
• Do not place a cord where someone can trip over it.
• Never use electricity around water.
• Unplug all equipment before leaving the room.
Safety Symbols
• Tie back hair and loose clothes when working
Heating Safety
with open flames.
• Never look into a container as you are heating it.
• Heated metal and glass looks cool; use tongs or
gloves before handling.
• Never leave a heat source unattended.
Safety Symbols
Chemical Safety
• Never mix chemicals unless directed to do so.
• Never touch, taste, or smell a chemical unless instructed
by the teacher.
•Dispose of chemicals as directed by the teacher – not all
chemicals belong in the trash!
Hand Safety
• If a chemical spills on your skin, notify the teacher and
rinse with water for 15 minutes.
• Carry glassware carefully.
•Wear gloves if directed to do so.
Fire Diamond Draw me in
your notes!
Safety Equipment
• Fire Blanket – In Cabinet door in the back of
the lab
• Fire Extinguisher – Located at the back of the
classroom near the shower
• Fire Exits:
• Main door
• Down the office staircase
Safety Equipment
Below soap dispenser near door
Glass disposal box – all glass MUST be
placed in this box
Eyewash station – for use in case of
chemicals getting into eyes (15 minutes)
Spills
● If you spill an acid or base on your skin, immediately
wash well with water.
○ Strong bases react with the oils in your skin to
produce a soapy feeling layer. Rinse until well after
that feeling is gone.
○ Do not attempt to neutralize a spill on your skin.
Measuring and Calculations
Metric System
Mass
Time
Volume Length
Density Temperature
Weight
Metric System
● Mass -GRAMS (g)
● Volume -LITERS (L)
● Length -METERS (m)
● Temperature -CELCIUS (C )
● Energy -JOULES (J)
Draw this in your notebook!
Write this in your notes!
King Kilo
Henry Hecto
Doesn’t Deca
Usually Unit (no prefix)
Drink Deci
Chocolate Centi
Milk Milli
Measuring and Calculations
Evaluating Sources
Why Evaluate Sources?
● Sources should be credible and appropriate for
your needs
● The following are guidelines for evaluating
sources.
Criteria for Evaluating Sources
Currency
Relevance
Authority
Accuracy
Purpose
Currency:
Timeliness of Info
When was the information published or
posted?
Has the information been revised or
updated?
Is the information current or out-of date for
your topic?
Web sites: are the links functional?
If there is a reference list, does it include
up-to-date sources?
Currency (autism digression)
Relevance:
The Importance of the Info to Your Needs
Does the information relate to your
topic or answer your question?
Who is the intended audience?
Is the information at an appropriate
level (i.e. not too elementary or
advanced for your needs)?
Have you looked at a variety of sources
before determining this is one you will
use?
Relevance
What audience might find this web site relevant?
[Link]
Authority:
Who is the Source of the Info?
Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
Are the author's credentials or organizational
affiliations given? If yes, what are they?
What are the author's qualifications to write on
the topic?
Is there contact information, such as an address,
publisher or institution?
Web sites: does the URL reveal anything about
the author or source?
◦ Examples: .com .edu .gov .org .net
Authority
Accuracy:
How Reliable, Truthful, or Correct is this Info?
Where does the information come from?
Is the information supported by evidence?
Has the information been reviewed or
refereed?
Can you verify any of the information in
another source or from personal knowledge?
Does the language or tone seem biased or
free of emotion?
Are there spelling, grammar, or other
typographical errors?
Accuracy
Is information
supported by
evidence?
Purpose:
Why does the information exist? Is it objective? Is the source biased?
What is the purpose of the information? to
inform? teach? sell? entertain? persuade?
Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions
or purpose clear?
Is the information fact? opinion?
propaganda?
Does the point of view appear objective and
impartial?
Are there political, ideological, cultural,
religious, institutional, or personal biases?
Purpose
What is the purpose of most .com websites?
Review of Criteria
Currency
Relevance
Authority
Accuracy
Purpose
Quick review!
Lab safety is everyone's responsibility!
If you spill anything on you rinse the area for
15 minutes
How to use a fire extinguisher: PASS Pull Aim
Squeeze Sweep
Glass goes in the broken glass container
when being disposed off
Always pre-read labs and wait for instructions
to start
Chemical spills are cleaned up by circling the
spill in the clean up powder (kitty litter) and
then covering the spill itself in the clean up
powder, solidified spills can then be disposed
of accordingly
Also know these symbols!
To accurately measure liquids read them at
eye level from the bottom of the meniscus
Metric conversions (between prefixes) are
done by moving the decimal NOT changing
the number
Always use the tools available to you!
A credible source will have:
Currency
Relevance
Authority
Accuracy
Purpose
Passive Voice in Science
Past tense
Take “you” out of it
Objective not subjective
After a direct quote or a paraphrased section cite sources
like this (Author/Sponsor, Year Published)
Use full MLA citation on your works cited page