Safety in the Lab

Observing safe practices in a laboratory setting helps to ensure your safety and the safety of others. Two ways you can help reduce the potential for accidents is to adhere to proper laboratory safety guidelines and to follow carefully all scientific investigation procedures. It is also helpful to know what to do in case of an accident in the laboratory.

Safety in the Lab

The most important aspect of safety in the laboratory classroom is good common sense. Keep focused on your experiment and be aware of the hazards in your environment. If you are unsure about something, stop and ask for help. Always keep these safety rules in mind and you will help protect yourself and everyone else in the lab. In this interactivity, click on each of the tabs to learn more about safety in the laboratory.

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Protection in the Lab

If you are in a laboratory area or participating in a scientific investigation, there are types of protective clothing and eyewear that can reduce your chance of injury. In this interactivity, click on each of the tabs to learn more about protecting your body in the lab. No matter how unfashionable they may make you feel, these objects can save your life.

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Accidents in the Lab

Unfortunately, accidents happen in the lab. In this interactivity, read each question and then click on the question to learn how to deal with the issue. In every situation, stay calm, and notify your instructor or another adult immediately.

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OSHA and Material Safety Data Sheets

The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that companies that manufacture chemicals produce Material Data Safety Sheets (MSDS) to provide businesses, employees, and fire and police services with information about those materials. Each MSDS contains similar information specified for the related material. In this interactivity, click the NEXT and PREV buttons to learn more about the data found on MSDS.

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Safety in the Lab Review

Now that you have learned about safety in a laboratory setting, review your knowledge in this non-graded activity. Read the directions associated with each scenario and select the appropriate answer. Then, click SUBMIT to check your response. Click the interactivity thumbnail, and then click NEXT to get started.