LABORATORY RULES AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
To ensure that safety and orderly environment is maintained, everyone should read
and follow the laboratory rules and safety precautions listed below.
I. LABORATORY RULES
1. You should prepare for each laboratory lesson by reading all instructions before you come to
class. It is necessary that you should understand what is to be done before starting an experiment.
2. Only laboratory manuals and notebooks are permitted in the working area. Other books,
purses/bags and such items should be placed in your storage area.
3. Do not perform any unauthorized experiment.
4. NEVER work ALONE in the laboratory. You should only work in the laboratory while under
the supervision of your instructor or within your assigned class.
5. Do not bring reagent bottles to your working areas. They must be returned promptly to
their proper places.
6. Avoid wasteful use of reagents, fuel gas, water and materials of any kind. Take only the
amounts of materials needed. Do not return excess chemicals in the supply bottle unless so directed.
7. Save useful products, by-products in clean labelled containers as directed by the instructor.
8. Avoid contamination of reagents. Never insert any object into the reagent bottle unless
allowed by your instructor to do so.
9. Handle all equipment with care. Request assistance from the laboratory instructor on the
proper handling and use of equipment in case you are not familiar with its use.
10. Eating, drinking and smoking inside the laboratory are PROHIBITED.
11. Solids, water or other liquids spilled on working table MUST be cleaned up AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE.
12. Deposit insoluble refuse such as pieces of paper, match stick, tissue, etc in waste cans.
NEVER in the sink or on the floor.
13. Liquid wastes that are corrosive, flammable or strong producing vapour MUST be flushed
down the drain with plenty of water.
14. Dispose liquid wastes into the sink by flushing down the drain with plenty of water. If large
amounts are to be disposed, they should not be poured down the drain.
15. All accidents should be reported to the instructor immediately, no matter how minor
16. Before leaving the laboratory, always see to it that the water and gas cocks are turned off
and that the working area and vicinity are clean.
17. All glassware and equipment borrowed from the Instrument/ Supply Room should be
returned CLEAN AND DRY at the end of the laboratory period.
LABORATORY SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
1. Wear laboratory gowns, goggles and closed shoes every time you are performing an experiment.
Always have mask and gloves available, which will be needed in certain experiments.
2. Contact lenses should not be worn in the laboratory because there is a distinct possibility that
chemicals may infuse under the contact lenses and cause irreparable damage.
3. Long hanging necklaces, bulky jewelry and excessive and bulky clothing should not be worn in the
laboratory.
4. Everyone should be alert and proceed with caution at all times. Take care not to bump another
student and remain in your working area while performing an experiment. An unattended experiment
can produce accident.
5. Handle the apparatus while performing the experiment at arm's length from the body. NEVER
directly from the face.
6. NEVER taste chemicals. NEVER touch chemicals with your bare hands. Taste chemicals only when so
directed by the laboratory instructor or as specified in the procedure.
7. In smelling a substance, hold the container at a distance and waft the fumes toward your nose with
a cupped hand.
8.All experiments producing or developing heavy or toxic vapors should be performed under the
fumehood.
9. Never use cracked or broken equipment.
10. If chemicals are spilled on clothing or any part of your body, particularly the eyes, wash the
affected area with plenty of water.
11. during mixing between concentrated acid and water, always ADD ACID TO WATER. Handle
concentrated acids with care.
12.Use towel to protect hands when glass rods, glass tubing or thermometers are being inserted into
or removed from stoppers.
13. Everyone should recognize and heed all safety symbols and cautions incorporated into the
procedures of the laboratory experiments; and in the labels of the reagents.
14. You should know the exact locations and operations of all safety control equipment:
a) safety shower
b) fire extinguisher,
c) fire blanket,
d) first aid kits,
e) sand buckets,
f) waste containers, and
g) ventilation or fume hood.
