University of Engineering and Technology

Name: Hamza Mahmood, Roll no 08

 Lab Safety Measures
Following are some lab rules and safety measures which may help you to perform better in the lab or
save you from an enormous accident.
1. Know the chemicals and familiarize yourself with the properties, hazards, and safe handling procedures
for all chemicals you want to use.
2. Use lab equipment only if you have been trained and permitted to do so.
3. Wear appropriate attire including lab coats, safety goggles and wear face mask to avoid irritant fumes.
4. Tie back long hair and avoid loose clothing or jewelry.
5. Work in a well-ventilated area and ensure that the lab's ventilation systems are functioning correctly.
6. All chemicals should be stored in specified spaces and cabinets, according to compatibility criteria.
7. Properly label all the chemicals and solutions with their names, concentrations and hazard symbols.
8. Everybody must know these hazard symbols for safety and prevention of accidents:

9. Avoid any form of horseplay, practical jokes or distractions in the lab. Maintain a serious and behavior
while performing experiments.
10. Before using glassware, check for cracks or defects. Glassware should be handled with care to avoid
breaking.
11. Dispose of chemical waste according to the lab's guidelines and local regulations. Use designated waste
containers and follow proper segregation practices.
12. Keep a list of emergency contacts easy to access including the safety officer of the lab and local
emergency services.
13. Know the location of fire exits and fire alarm systems. In case of a fire, use the appropriate fire
extinguisher and evacuate the lab through the emergency exit calmly.
14. Discuss your actions and any possible hazards with your lab mates and the instructor.
15. Never touch, taste or smell any reagents in the lab.
16. Edibles should be kept outside the lab.
17. Handle the radioactive sources with tongs.
18. Learn how to act in emergency situations.
19. Everyone should learn how to use fire extinguisher.

20. If you are unaware of the substances you are using, ask your lab instructor for advice.
21. Maintain a clean and hygienic workspace.
22. Avoid skin and eye contact with corrosive reagents.
23. Never operate alone in a lab without telling someone.
24. Don't carelessly combine chemicals. Pay attention to the order in which chemicals are to be added to
each other. For instance, if you mix hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide, you'll get salt water, but
if you're not careful, the reaction might shatter your glassware or explode the reactants on you.
25. Notify your instructor if you observe violations of your laboratory’s safety rules.
26. Wipe down your work area for the next user.
27. Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap at the end of an experiment.
28. Gloves serve as a protective barrier, preventing skin contact. If contaminated, replace them
immediately to prevent a variety of possible problems.
29. Glassware that has been damaged should be thrown away in a rubbish container highlighted "broken
glass only."
30. When testing the activity of a reaction that has the potential to explode, you should also wear complete
face protection in addition to eye protection.
31. When it comes to storing laboratory substances at low temperatures, laboratories use refrigerators and
freezers. The label of the chemicals will provide information about its recommended storage
temperature.
32. Chemicals stored in a refrigerator should be placed on a spill tray with sufficiently high edges to
contain the entire contents if a spill occurs.
33. If an experiment requires the testing and storage of food or beverage samples, each sample should be
clearly labeled “Not for human consumption”.
34. When you have to heat a substance placed in a test tube always hold the open test tube at an angle
facing away from yourself and others.
35. An alternative to heating a substance with a burner is to heat the contents of a test tube by placing it in a
hot water bath.
36. The electric devices in the lab should be hazardous area-class.
37. There should be a first aid kit in the lab in case of a minor accident.
38. The material used in the construction of the lab floor should be flame-resistant.
39. The paint on the walls of the lab should also be flame-resistant.
40. If you are exposed to chemicals, wash your eyes for at least 15 minutes (or 30 minutes for bases) at the
eyewash station that is the closest to you.
41. If an eyewash fountain is not available, you should use the nearest source of running water and make
the water as close to room temperature as you can.
42. You should not touch someone who is in contact with a live electrical circuit .The circuit must be
disconnected by unplugging the device or turning off the circuit breaker, or you will be shocked too.
43. If you or someone else is bleeding severely, try to control the bleeding by placing a cloth on the wound
and applying firm pressure. If possible, elevate the injury above the level of the heart.
44. Keep laboratory items well away from the edge of your laboratory bench or other workspace.
45. You should measure quantities of chemicals according to the laboratory procedure and avoid taking
excess chemicals.
46. Return reagent bottles to their proper location once you have procured the minimum amount needed for
your experiment.
47. Walk slowly and carefully in the laboratory. Rushing may cause you to bump into other students or into
cabinets and laboratory furnishings.
48. If you must transport samples or solutions from one part of the laboratory to another, support the beaker
or flask with one hand under the container. Alert others to your presence if needed.
49. If you or someone near your workspace has a chemical spill, you and other students in the area should
move away from the spill.
50. If a flammable liquid is spilled, warn other students in the area to extinguish all flames and turn off
electrical equipment if you can do so without putting yourself in a risky situation.
51. You should report the spill to your instructor immediately. Your instructor should know how to handle
the spill.
52. It may be necessary to vacate the whole laboratory or building if a significant amount of flammable,
poisonous, or volatile substance is spilled.
53. If a small spill of a solid material occurs, your instructor may direct you or others to use a dustpan and
brush, typically stored in the laboratory, to clean up the material.
54. If a small spill of a liquid material occurs, your instructor may direct you or others to use paper towels
or another absorbent to soak up the liquid.
55. To pick up broken glass, use tongs or wear leather or cut-resistant gloves. Broken glass can also be
swept up using a small brush and dustpan. Most likely, an instructor will clean up broken glass, or you
may be asked to do this under close supervision.
56. Inspect the insulation on an electrical wire before using it in the lab.(Precautions for the electrical
equipment)
57. Electrical wire outlet plugs shouldn't be bent or damaged in any way.
58. Do not remove plugs with wet hands. Damaged, tattered, or cracked cords and electrical failures or
evidence of overheating should immediately be reported to your instructor.
59. Flammable solvents should be stored in a flammable cabinet if the recommended storage is at room
temperature. Always minimize the quantity of solvents outside of the flammable cabinets.
60. Never wear or take laboratory aprons or laboratory coats into areas where food is consumed.
61. Do not chew gum, smoke, or apply cosmetics or lip balm in the laboratory. Be aware that cosmetics,
food, and tobacco products in opened packages can absorb chemical vapors.
62. Never take your hands or pen to your face or mouth while working in the laboratory.
63. Feet must be completely covered, and no skin should be showing between the top of the shoe and the
bottom of the skirt or pants in the lab.