LABORATORY SAFETY
Up-dated October 2011
Everyone working in the laboratory should be cognizant of the potential hazards they face while
working there. Fires with organic solvents, acid and base burns and toxic fumes and vapors are
common hazards in almost any nutrition laboratory. Generally, lab safety is a matter of common
sense, but there are a few rules that should be followed.
The following material is provided as a brief summary and guide to lab safety. It gives a quick
overview of some important points.
Laboratory Neatness
Clean and neat work areas avoid risk of damage to clothing, books, samples and injury from spilled
chemicals. Neatness also reduces fire hazard.
Laboratory Conduct
Fooling around in the laboratory can be hazardous. Keep the lab in its proper place and fun and
games in their place.
Working with Glassware
Be careful when removing frozen glass stoppers (ask for assistance from lab personnel). Broken
glassware should be discarded properly in a "glass only" labeled container. Chipped glassware should
be fire polished. Properly support glassware with ring stands and clamps when heating and use cork
rings with round-bottom flasks.
Working with Glass Tubing
Don't touch heated glass until it has time to cool. Hot glass looks just like cool glass. To remove
stoppers from glass tubing or thermometers, grasp tubing close to stopper and push gently with
twisting. Use water or glycerin for lubrication.
Laboratory Dress
Pull hair back and wear eye protection when required (especially when handling liquids). Sleeves
that are too tight often prevent freedom of movement, while sleeves that are too loose may cause you
to overturn apparatus or glassware. Aprons protect clothing from corrosive or staining chemicals.
Gloves protect hands from corrosive chemicals. Handle hot objects with insulated gloves. Do not
wear open toe shoes, which can allow spilled chemicals or broken glass to come in contact with your
feet.
Working with Test Tubes
Gently heat solids or liquids in a test tube near the liquid or solid surface. Be prepared to remove the
tube from heat quickly to prevent eruption. Never point a test tube or reaction vessel at another
person. For safety and neatness, place test tubes in a rack.
Chemicals in the Eye
Rapid treatment is vital. Run large volumes of water over eyeball until medical help is available.
Wash with large volumes of water for at least 15 minutes. Alkaline materials in the eye are extremely
hazardous. Know the location of the emergency eyewash station.
Safety Shower
Use this for chemical spills or a fire victim. Operate by pulling down on ring and keep the area near
