Republic of the Philippines

PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Bayambang Campus
Bayambang, Pangasinan

Guidelines in the Use of Physics Laboratory Room

SAFETY REGULATIONS:

To ensure that a safe and healthful environment is maintained when taking the laboratory
course, everyone should read and fallow safety regulations listed below. To indicate that you
have completely read understand the safety regulations, you are asked to give your signature and
the date upon completion of this important task in the space provided. You should check to see
that your laboratory partner has likewise completely the safety regulations, for you will be allied
closely while working together in the laboratory.

1. NEVER WORK ALONE IN THE LABORATORY:

You should only work in the laboratory while under the supervision of your assign class.
2. You should prepare for each laboratory lesson by reading all the instruction before you
come to class. Fallow all directions and review with your teacher the safety precaution
needed o conduct the experiment safety before you begin. Only materials and equipment
authorized by your teacher should be used.
3. Everyone should be alert and proceed with caution at all time in the laboratory. Take care
not to bump another student, and remain in your laboratory station while performing an
experiment. An unattended experiment can produce an accident.
4. Contact lenses should not be worn in the laboratory when working with chemicals
because there is a distinct possibility that chemical may infuse under the contact lenses
and cause irreparable eye damage.
5. Proper safety equipment such us safety goggles, apron and gloves should be worn by
everyone when performing experiment that require precaution.
6. Your apparel should be appropriate for laboratory work. Long hanging necklaces, bulky
jewellery and excessive and bulky clothing should not be worn in the laboratory. Cotton
clothing is preferred over nylon, polyesters or wool.
7. Only laboratory manual and laboratory notebook are permitted in the working areas.
Other books, purses and such items should be placed in your desk or storage area.
8. No food, beverage, or smoking is permitted in any science laboratory.
9. Never taste chemicals. Never touch chemicals with your hands.
10. Extreme caution should be exercised when using a burner. Keep your head and clothing
away from the flame and turn off the burner when not in use. Gas burners should be
lighted only with a sparker in accordance with your teacher instruction. Check to see that
all gas valves and hot plates are turned off before leaving the laboratory.
11. You should know the proper fire drill procedures and the location of fire exits.
12. Work areas and apparatus should be kept clean and dry. You should always clean and
wipes dry all apparatus, desk, tables or laboratory work areas at the conclusions of each
laboratory experiment.
13. Hand should be washed thoroughly with soap at the conclusion of each laboratory.
14. You should know the location and operations of all safety control equipments.
15. Everyone should recognize and heed all safety symbols and cautions incorporated into
the procedures of the laboratory equipment.
16. All accident should be reported to the teacher immediately, no matter how minor.
 Republic of the Philippines
PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY
Bayambang Campus
Bayambang, Pangasinan

Guidelines in the Use of Chemistry Laboratory Room

A Self-Protection

1. Laboratory gowns are required in the laboratory. So put on your laboratory gown before
starting an experiment. Use protective goggles or goggles if needed.
2. Wear proper shoes to protect your feet from accidentally spilled corrosive liquids and
broken glasses.
3. Always keep a neat appearance. Ladies should tie their hair to prevent safety hazards.
4. Always wash your hand and arms before and after the laboratory activities to avoid
contamination of substances and also to avoid toxic or otherwise dangerous chemical that
may inadvertently transfer to the mouth.
5. Never taste smell or touch a chemical or solutions unless specifically directed to do so.
Poisonous substances are not always labelled.
6. Whenever your skin (hands, arm, face others) come into contact with chemicals, wash it
quickly and thoroughly with soap and water.
7. For fire burns, place the affected area under running water for several minutes and aplly
burning ointment or Vaseline petroleum jelly after washing the affected area.
8. In case of accident or injury, even if it is minor, notify your instructor t once.

B. Laboratory rules

1. Do not work on the laboratory alone. The laboratory instructor must be present.
2. Unauthorized experiments, including variations of those in the laboratory manual are
forbidden.
3. Maintain clean laboratory table. Immediately clean up all chemical spills, papers scraps
and glassware.
4. At the end of the laboratory period, completely clear the sinks of all debris.
5. Smoking, drinking, eating or chewing (including gum) are prohibited at any time
because chemicals may possible enter the mouth and lungs. Your hands may be
contaminated with “unsafe” chemicals.
6. Be aware of your neighbours’ you may be a victim of their mistakes. Advise them of
improper technique or unsafe practices. If necessary tell the instructor.

C. Working in the Laboratory

1. It is expected that you need read carefully the entire experiment before coming to the
laboratory.
2. Maintain a wholesome business like attitude. Horseplay or other careless acts are
prohibited.
3. Fire is a special hazard in the laboratory since some chemicals are flammable. Know
the locations of fire extinguisher, first aid cabinet and learn how to use them.
4. When working volatile or fuming chemicals, keep the laboratory well ventilated.
5. Never add water to concentrated acid solutions. The heat generated may cause
spattering. Always remember, add the heavier concentrated solution to the lighter
dilute solution.
 6. Never poor excess reagent back into the reagent bottles. To do so it may result to the
contamination of the reagent.

D. Emergency measures

1. Small fire such as in beakers or flasks

First turn off the gas, and then attempt to smother the fire with an asbestos pad or
a moistened towel. If this fails use the fire extinguisher for this purpose.
2. Phosphorous or sodium fire
Smoothen it by throwing sand on it.
3. For cuts.
First wash it thoroughly with water and then apply 70% ethyl alcohol or tincture
of iodine. Bandage with sterile gauze. Do not use iodine in subsequent dressing as
burns will result.
4. Acid in eye
Wash thoroughly with running water. Then by means of an eye cup, bathe with a
2% sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) solution. Dry with sterile gauze and put
several drops of olive oil into the eye.
5. Alkali in eye
Wash thoroughly with running water. Then both eyes should be washed with a
saturated solution of boric acid. Dry with sterile gauze and drop olive oil into the
eye. NEVER USE A STRONG ACID OR BASE TO NEUTRALIZE EACH
OTHER ON YOUR CLOTHING OR BODY.
6. Acid burns
Wash first with running water and the with saturated sodium bicarbonate
solutions. Cover about 10 minutes with solid sodium bicarbonate. Wash off with
dry sterile gauze and apply Carron oil (an equal mixture of lime water and linseed
oil).
7. Alkali burns
Wash first with running water and then with saturated boric acid solution. Cover
for about 10 min with powdered boric acid. Wash off dry with sterile gauze and apply
carbonated Vaseline.
8. Fainting
Lay patient flat on his book with his head low. Loosen his clothes and rub limbs
towards the heart. Upon detecting signs of motion administer aromatic spirits of
ammonia (1/2-1 mL in 100 mL of water at once)

If these safety measures are carefully followed, the chemistry laboratory becomes a
safety and pleasant place to learn. Good luck and Happy laboratory hours.