EXPERIMENT 1 : SAFETY MEASURES DURING USE AND PREPARATION OF

CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES

Objectives

1. Practice the laboratory safety rules and regulation when working in the laboratory.

2. Explain the function of safety equipment in the laboratory.

3. Explain the chemical signs on chemical bottles/containers.

Procedures
Activity 1
In chemistry lab, there are various safety aid/equipment that are provided for the
students. Identify and make a list of this lab safety aid/equipment (at least 5), state the
function.

Activity 2
One of the safety measures when preparing chemical substances is to read the label
on the chemical bottles or container to make sure the right substance is used. Work in
pairs, choose 5 different labels presented on the chemical bottle or container. Then,
make a list of the safety labels and its function.

Activity 1
Names of Safety Aids Function

Eye protection Determine the possibilities of flying particles, splashes

and spills when determining the appropriate eye protection
needed for a job.

Protective clothing Protective Clothing is designed to protect a person's skin

and clothing from damage or injury caused by splashes or
spills of chemicals, excessive heat, or falling objects.

Head protection hats and caps protect the wearer's head from impact and

penetration by falling or flying objects and from high-
voltage shock and burn. They are used extensively by
electrical workers.
 Hearing protection Required to prevent noise induced hearing loss. Hearing
protection devices reduce the noise energy reaching and
causing damage to the inner ear.

Fire equipment To extinguish fires or protect the user from fire.

Activity 2
Chemical Hazard Type Labels Function
Symbols

Nickel(II) chloride, in various forms, is

the most important source of nickel for
chemical synthesis. The nickel chlorides
are deliquescent, absorbing moisture from
the air to form a solution. Nickel salts
have been shown to be carcinogenic to the
lungs and nasal passages in cases of long-
term inhalation exposure.

In many commercial products, toluene is

used as a solvent that is present in paint
thinners, nail polish remover, glues, and
correction fluid.

Provides us with nuclear fuel used to

generate electricity in nuclear power
stations. It is also the major material from
which other synthetic transuranium
elements are made.

Sodium hydroxide is used to

manufacture soaps, rayon, paper,
explosives, dyestuffs, and petroleum
products. It is also used in processing
cotton fabric, laundering and bleaching,
metal cleaning and processing, oxide
coating, electroplating, and electrolytic
extracting.
 It is used as a solvent, in the synthesis of
other organic chemicals, and as an
additive to automotive gasoline (forming a
mixture known as a gasohol).

Discussion

Based on the result in activity 1, now we know how to handle the chemicals and equipment in
the proper way. It is very important to know the safety aid/equipment when you are in the
laboratory while handling the various type of chemicals.

For activity 2, we learn how to handle the waste disposal. Chemical wastes should be divided
into aqueous solutions, solutions containing heavy metals, water-insoluble waste, chlorinated
solvents and peroxides. Besides that, we also learn the chemical hazard symbols for each of
the chemicals in the laboratory.

Questions

1. According to the dress code, what should you wear in the laboratory?

- A shirt that covers the stomach and lower back as well as the upper arms. Long
pants (An acceptable, but not reccommended, alternative is to wear shorts, a skirt,
or a lab coat such that your knees are covered when you are sitting down.)

2. What type of goggles should you wear and when should you wear them?

- The type of safety eye protection you should wear depends on the hazards in your
workplace: If you are working in an area that has particles, flying objects or dust,
you must at least wear safety glasses with side protection (side shields). If you are
working with chemicals, you must wear goggles.

3. In what cases might you be asked to leave the laboratory?

 -fire and other emergencies

4. Can you wear contact lenses? Why?

-It is recommended that contact lenses not be permitted in the laboratory. The
reasons for this prohibition are :

(1) if a corrosive liquid should splash in the eye, the natural reflex to clamp the
eyelids shut makes it very difficult, if not impossible, to remove the contact lens
before damage is done.

(2) the plastic used in contact lenses is permeable to some of the vapors found in the
laboratory. These vapors can be trapped behind the lenses and can cause extensive
irritation.

5. What should you do if:

a) you broke a beaker and cut your finger.
-Give it to your lab instructor or dispose of it as directed in a broken glass
disposal container. If you cut yourself, immediately inform your lab
instructor

b) chemicals have splashed on your face.

-If a chemical splashes on your face  while you are wearing goggles, do not
remove your goggles. Wash the affected area and then carefully
remove your goggles. Burns: Flush the area with cool water for 20 minutes
and notify the instructor.

c) the fire alarm sounds.

-immediately evacuate the building to the outside
-never go back to retrieve personal belongings
-move away from the front of the building to allow the fire fighters and their
trucks to access the building.
 -if there is an incident on the upper floors, the area underneath is the hazard
zone and that is where you will be injured by falling glass and debris.

d) your shirt has caught on fire.

1. -STOP where you are—moving or running feeds air to the flames and worsens the
fire.
2. -DROP to the floor—if you stand up, the fire can burn your face. ...
3. -ROLL slowly on the floor or ground, in a rug or blanket if you can.
4. -COOL off as soon as possible with water for first and second degree
burns

e) chemicals have spilled on your pants.

-Clean up small spills safely.
-Avoid breathing vapors and try to determine
what spilled. If someone has been splashed with chemicals, immediately
flush the affected area with water for at least 15 minutes

Conclusion

From this experiment, we are able to practice the laboratory safety rules and regulation when
working in the laboratory. We are also can explain the function of safety equipment in the
laboratory and the chemical signs on chemical bottles/containers.

References

(1) Safety in the Use of Chemicals at Work : An ILO code of practice. Geneva, Internal
Labour Office, 1993.
(2) Prof. Robert H. Hill, Jr., Prof. David C. Finster . (2011). Laboratory safety for
chemistry students. United Kingdom.