1

Lourdes College
Higher Education Department

Investigative Analysis #1
Name: Agcopra, Pearl Marie Sabaiton Date: June 12, 2020

Introduction
An important part of your study of biology will be working in a laboratory. In the laboratory, you and your classmates
will learn biology by actively conducting and observing experiments. Working directly with living things will provide
opportunities for you to better understand the principles of biology discussed in your textbook or talked about in class.
Most of the laboratory work you will do is quite safe. However, some laboratory equipment, chemicals, and
specimens can be dangerous if handled improperly. Laboratory accidents do not just happen. They are caused by carelessness,
improper handling of equipment and specimens, or inappropriate behavior.
In this investigation, you will learn how to prevent accidents and thus work safely in a laboratory. You will review
some safety guidelines and become acquainted with the location and proper use of safety equipment in your classroom
laboratory.

Problem
What are the proper practices for working safely in a biology laboratory?

Materials (per group)

Biology textbook
Laboratory safety equipment (for demonstration)

A. Developing Safety Policies

The following statements are concerning students’ activities and attitudes in the laboratory. Think about each statement
and formulate a safety rule or procedure related to each statement. Then, work with a partner to answer the following
questions. Write one or two clear concise sentences that can serve as a safety policy for your science classroom.

1. Why might eating or drinking in the laboratory be dangerous?

Eating or drinking in the laboratory is dangerous due to chemicals and other equipment inside the lab that may cause
reactions and/or contamination which can be harmful to anyone inside the laboratory.

2. How can reading through the entire investigation before beginning the Procedure help prevent accidents?
It is very important to read first the investigation to prevent and be prepared on accidents during the procedure. It is
also to ensure safety of the laboratory users.

3. Look around the room. What safety equipment do you recognize?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. What safety procedures should you follow when cleaning up at the end of an investigation?
The laboratory users should make sure that the tools are cleaned and organized in cabinets. Chemicals used in the
investigation must be properly disposed. And lastly the area/table of the laboratory users must be clean.

5. Can minor safety procedures be skipped in order to finish the investigation before the bell rings?
NO. Instructions regardless of how big or small the gravity of the instruction is, plays a crucial role in the
investigation process. The researchers must know even tiny details in the investigation for them to be aware on what’s
happening and to prevent mishaps during the investigation.

B. Identifying Laboratory Safety Symbols

 2

Carefully read the list of laboratory safety rules listed in safety symbols. Special symbols are used throughout this
laboratory manual to call attention to investigations that require extra caution. Describe what each symbol printed below
means.

SYMBOL DESCRIPTION

Plant Safety
This symbol pertains to handling of plants that are only allowed inside the
laboratory or the teacher. It also means warn laboratory users of poisonous
plants in the laboratory. Therefore, the students are prohibited to touch these
plants.

Animal Safety
C. This symbol means to treat animals available in the laboratory with care to
avoid harming the animals or their selves.

Laboratory Apron
This symbol means that laboratory users are to wear aprons when using the
laboratory to protect themselves from chemicals.

Sharp Object
This symbol warns the laboratory users to use sharp objects in the laboratory
with care to avoid cuts or puncture.

Fume
This symbol warns the laboratory users that poisonous vapors may be
available inside the laboratory. To avoid inhaling these poisonous vapors,
the users must listen to the teacher, and only test odors unless directed to do
so.

Electric Shock
To avoid electric shock accidents in the lab, this symbol is shown. Thus, the
laboratory users must take precautions in using equipment that requires
electricity. Such as, by making sure that hands/equipment is not wet when
handling one.

Corrosive Chemical
This symbol warns the laboratory users to avoid contact with acids or
corrosive chemicals in the laboratory.

Identifying Laboratory Safety Practices

 3

The pictures below show students performing laboratory activities incorrectly. Study each picture and write in the space
provided all improper laboratory technique that are illustrated. Explain why it is important to follow each safety procedure.

When boiling chemicals in the laboratory, the laboratory user should not
lean towards or be near in the apparatus. To avoid inhaling the vapor and
chemical reactions.

Eating and drinking inside the laboratory is prohibited.

The test tube’s position is very dangerous. The test tube should be pointed
upwards, not pointed towards the user or others. And also the, user is not
wearing protective mask. She will breathe in vapors of the chemical which
is harmful for humans.

The user is not wearing goggles inside the lab, specially that he is heating
up chemicals.

Some Items of This Activity is Adapted From:

Melchor, Marciano B. et al., “Laboratory Manual in Biology – Laboratory Orientation”
pp.1-5., Rex Bookstore, Nicanor Reyes, Sr. St., Manila, Philippines 2008.

Brevard Community College, “General Biology II Laboratory Manual” 3rd Edition

pp. 3-5., 2013

Kennedy, James E., et al., “Focus on Earth Science – Teacher Resource Book”
pp. 17-34., Merrill Publishing Company, Columbus, Ohio 2001.