🧪 Laboratory Safety Rules and Guidelines at a glance

🔹 Meaning

Laboratory safety rules are instructions that guide students and scientists on how to work safely in the chemistry laboratory to prevent accidents and injuries.

🔹 General Safety Rules

1. Always wear lab coat, goggles and gloves

2. Do not eat, drink or chew anything in the laboratory

3. Read instructions before starting any experiment

4. Handle chemicals carefully

5. Do not taste or smell chemicals directly

6. Keep the laboratory clean and tidy

7. Work only when the teacher is present

🔹 Handling Chemicals

• Read the label before using any chemical

• Do not mix chemicals unless instructed

• Use small quantities of chemicals

• Do not return unused chemicals to bottles

🔹 Handling Apparatus

• Do not use broken or cracked glassware

• Handle hot objects with tongs

• Turn off gas and electrical appliances after use

• Keep flammable materials away from fire

🔹 In Case of Accident

• Report immediately to the teacher

• Wash spilled chemicals with plenty of water

• Use fire extinguishers or sand for fire

• Do not panic

🔹 Importance of Laboratory Safety

• Prevents accidents

• Protects life and property

• Ensures smooth experiments

• Maintains a good learning environment

🧠 Important Tip

Most laboratory accidents occur due to carelessness and failure to follow safety rules.

🧪 Objective Questions

1. Which of the following is a laboratory safety rule?
A. Eating in the lab
B. Wearing a lab coat
C. Running in the lab
D. Playing with chemicals

2. The main reason for wearing goggles in the laboratory is to
A. look smart
B. protect the eyes
C. increase vision
D. avoid reading

3. Chemicals should never be tasted because they are
A. expensive
B.  poisonous
C. colourless
D.  hot

4. Broken glassware should be
A. used carefully
B. thrown on the floor
C. reported to the teacher
D. ignored

5. Which of the following should be done before starting an experiment?
A. Eat food
B. Read instructions
C. Run around
D. Touch chemicals

6. In case of chemical spill on the skin, one should
A. wipe with cloth
B. wash with plenty of water
C. ignore it
D. cover it

7. Which of the following is NOT allowed in the laboratory?
A. Wearing gloves
B. Drinking water
C. Using tongs
D. Wearing goggles

8. Flammable substances should be kept
A. near fire
B. in open flames
C. away from fire
D. on the floor

9. When heating substances, you should use
A. hands
B. tongs
C. books
D. paper

10. The safest behavior in the laboratory is to
A. follow safety rules
B. rush experiments
C. play with chemicals
D. ignore instructions

✍️ Theory Questions

1. What are laboratory safety rules?

2. State five laboratory safety rules.

3. Give four reasons why safety rules are important in the chemistry laboratory.

4. What should be done when chemicals spill on the skin?

5. Mention four ways to prevent accidents in the laboratory.