Are you really interested in working with chemicals???
So, let's start with LABORATORY SAFETY.
You should know and follow established laboratory safety rules, have the access to emergency equipment, know how to use it appropriately, and be aware of hazards associated with specific experiments.
The lab instructor alone cannot prevent laboratory accidents, however. You also have a responsibility to follow safe laboratory practices while performing experiments and to be ready to respond in case of an accident.
Lab Rules:
- Protecting yourself
Just as construction workers protect themselves from accidents by wearing hard hats and steel-toed boots, people who work with chemicals should wear appropriate clothing and personal protective equipment (such as safety goggles) that reduce the likelihood of injury in case of an accident.
- Eye protection is essential at all times, and Safety glasses provide only limited protection because they have no side shields, so it is best to wear safety goggles that protect your eyes from chemical splashes and flying particles from any direction.
- Even when you aren't working with hazardous materials another student's actions could endanger your eyes, so never remove your safety goggles or safety glasses until you leave the lab.
- Do not wear contact lenses in the laboratory because chemicals splashed into an eye may get underneath a contact lens and cause damage before the lens can be removed. Determine the location of the eyewash fountain nearest to you during the first laboratory session, and learn how to use it.
- Also, you should wear clothing that is substantial enough and covers enough of your body to offer some protection against accidental chemical spills or other particles. Long-sleeved shirts or blouses and long pants or dresses are recommended, especially when they are made of denim or other heavy materials.
- Some synthetic fabrics can be dissolved by chemicals such as acetone and could melt in contact with a flame or another heat source. Wear shoes that protect you from spilled chemicals and broken glass – not open sandals or cloth-topped athletic shoes.
- You should always wear appropriate gloves when handling caustic chemicals, which can burn the skin or toxic chemicals that can be absorbed through the skin. No single type of glove protects against all chemicals, but neoprene gloves offer well to excellent protection against many commonly used chemicals, and disposable nitrile gloves are adequate for use in most undergraduate labs. Latex gloves aren't recommended, because some people are allergic to latex because they are permeable to many hazardous chemicals.
- No smoking
- You should never, ever smoke in the laboratory or use open flames in operations that involve low-boiling flammable solvents. If anyone is caught smoking in an organic lab, the person is subjected to immediate expulsion.
- Inform your colleagues of your intention to use a flame before lighting a burner or even striking a match.
- If someone nearby is working with flammable solvents, either wait until they are finished or go to a safer area, such as a fume hood.
- Other commonly used solvents that include acetone and ethanol, as well as diethyl ether and petroleum ether, are exceedingly flammable.
- When ventilation is insufficient, vapors of diethyl ether and other highly volatile liquids can travel a great distance; it has been reported to start an ether fire by lighting a burner at one end of a lab bench with an open bottle of ether at the other end.
- The first laboratory session will teach you where to find and how to use fire extinguishers, fire blankets, and safety showers.
- Minimize your exposure to hazardous chemicals
- Never taste chemicals, avoid inhaling volatile chemical vapor or finely divided solids particles, and keep chemicals away from your skin, eyes, and clothing.
- Many chemicals can poison you if you swallow them, inhale them, or absorb them through your skin. Strong acids and bases, bromine, thionyl chloride, and other caustic compounds can cause severe burns, necessitating the use of protective equipment like gloves and lab coats.
- By inhalation, ingestion, or skin absorption, some chemicals induce severe allergic reactions, while others may be carcinogenic (cancer-causing) or teratogenic (tending to cause birth defects).
- To avoid accidentally ingesting harmful chemicals, avoid bringing food or drink into the lab, employ mouth suction for pipetting, and properly wash your hands after handling any chemical.
- Expertise in handling glassware
When working with glass, use extreme caution when inserting and removing thermometers and glass tubing. Cuts from broken glass and burns from touching hot glass are two of the most common injuries in a chemistry lab. When inserting and removing glass tubes or thermometers from stoppers or thermometer adapters, use gloves or a towel to protect your hands. Gently twist the glass in or out by grasping it near the stopper or thermometer adapter.
- Proper disposal of chemicals
Most organic substances should not be washed down the drain for reasons of safety and environmental protection. Place used organic chemicals and solutions in designated waste containers unless your instructor or the directions for an experiment state as such. Some aqueous solutions can be safely poured down the drain, but if you're unsure about the appropriate way to dispose of a chemical or solution, consult your instructor.
- Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
All chemical reagents included in the laboratory have Material Safety Data Sheets that describe their physical and chemical properties. The MSDS sheets also include information on the dangers and toxicity effects of the chemicals. The MSDS is kept in the prep room and should be referenced if there is any doubt about the safety of the chemicals encountered.
MSDS contains,
- Product information
- Hazardous ingredients
- Physical data
- Fire and explosion data
- Reactivity data
- Toxicological properties (health effects)
- Preventive measures
- First-aid measures
- Preparation data of MSDS
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