Overview

Chemistry laboratories can be hazardous if the rules are not followed. During a chemistry course a student may handle materials which are carcinogenic, poisonous, flammable, and explosive. Some of these materials and equipment may also cause severe burns, cuts, or bruises if handled improperly or carelessly. Most accidents that occur in the chemistry laboratory are a result of carelessness, impatience, improper or unauthorized experimentation, and disregard in safety rules or proper operating procedures. In order to minimize the chances of an accident in the laboratory, certain rules and regulations must be obeyed at all times when one is working or observing in a chemical laboratory. Therefore, it is not advisable for anyone to work in a laboratory without proper knowledge of the dangers involved. Due to the inherent dangers present in a chemical laboratory exercise, it should be understood that the following rules must be obeyed to minimize the chance of an accident. The students are expected to exercise proper judgement and extreme caution at all times when working in the laboratory. This book explains how you can tackle the basics of health and safety, and tells you how to identify, assess and control the activities that might cause harm in your laboratory. It looks at your safe laboratory; what this book suggests will help you stay safe. We should certify that we will obey each and every rule stated in the paper, and will adhere to each of them in our chemistry courses. I also have received a duplicate copy of this paper, and will keep it available for review throughout my chemistry courses.