Lab Safety

What should you do before starting any experiment in the laboratory?

• Proceed directly with the experiment

• Read and understand all the safety instructions related to the reagents and equipment

• Only consult the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) if an accident occurs

• Ignore the instructor's instructions if they seem unnecessary

When selecting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which of the following is NOT considered appropriate?

• Open sandals for greater comfort

• Chemical-resistant gloves

• Safety glasses

• Laboratory coats

What should you do if you don't understand the instructions given for an experiment?

• Ask a fellow student for help

• Guess the procedure and hope for the best

• Seek clarification from the instructor or supervisor

• Ignore the instructions and do the experiment your own way

Approved eye protection devices (such as goggles) are worn in the laboratory ____.

• to avoid eye strain

• to improve your vision

• only if you do not have corrective glasses

• any time chemicals, heat, or glassware are used

What is the correct action to take if a chemical reagent is spilled?

• Ignore it and continue with the experiment

• Ask a colleague to clean it up.

• Clean it immediately with paper towels

• Immediately inform the instructor and follow the specific handling instructions

When working with highly volatile chemicals, which of the following is an important safety precaution?

• Using a fume hood to prevent inhalation of volatile vapors

• Wearing perfume to mask any unpleasant odors

• Keeping the chemicals close to the edge of the bench for easy access

• Working in an open area to ensure proper ventilation

When determining the compatibility of chemical waste mixtures for disposal, what resource is most critical?

• The laboratory’s general waste disposal guidelines

• The chemical’s Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for each component

• Advice from a colleague

• A generic online search for chemical compatibility

Which of the following Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should be used? Select all that apply

• A lab coat

• Breathable mesh sneakers for comfort

• Latex gloves for chemical resistance

• Safety goggles to protect against splashes

Before using a fume hood to work with volatile reagents, you should:

• Verify that the hood is turned on and functioning properly

• Make sure it is turned off to avoid annoying noises

• Open the laboratory windows to improve ventilation

• Work as quickly as possible to minimize exposure

In the event of a small fire in your work area, what is the first step you should take? Select all that apply

• Evacuate the laboratory

• Attempt to extinguish it with water

• Take photos for the incident report

• Use the appropriate fire extinguisher for the type of fire, if you feel capable of doing so