Safety rules in the laboratory During laborator y experiments, you may handle chemical products or perform tasks that involve some risk. For this reason , it is necessar y to follow a set of rules to keep people and equipment safe. Highly toxic Harmful or irritant Flammable Oxidiser Corrosive Explosive • Magnifying glasses and microscopes are fragile, so handle them with care. Don’t hit them or force any parts. • Hold glass coverslips and glass slides at the edges or use tweezers to avoid getting grease on them and contaminating them. • Never heat a completely sealed container. To heat a test tube, use a suitable holder to avoid it touching your skin. Always point the mouth of a container away from yourself and other people. • Never pour a liquid quickly into a test tube. Pour it slowly down the side of the tube. • Never use the same dropper for different reagents, as this can cause contamination or result in dangerous reactions. • Never transfer products to other bottles that are not labelled correctly. • Don’t play with the equipment or chemical products. • Always put stoppers you are using on the table facing upwards. Replace them as soon as you finish using the containers. • Keep your workspace clean and tidy. • Chemical products can be dangerous. Before using them, read the safety labels carefully to understand the possible risks and the precautions you need to take. • Handle corrosive products with care to avoid contact with your skin or clothes. Avoid touching, smelling or tasting any chemical or biological material. • Solid waste should be put in the appropriate bins. • Ask your teacher before pouring leftover liquids down the sink. Some waste products can be harmful to the environment and must be processed in a special way. Safety labels on chemical products The science project 12
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