Laboratory safety is a crucial part of any time spent in the lab. A 2002 article featured in the Washington Post states that more than 150 students were seriously injured from accidents that occurred in their school laboratories between 1999 and 2002. Common laboratories accidents include chemical spills, inhalation of dangerous fumes, fires and burns, explosions or other potent reactions. It is imperative for teachers and students to understand the importance of safety while working in the lab to prevent accidents that may harm the class and people throughout the school.
Simple factors, such as maturity and lack of preparation, may result in major accidents among students. Before working in the lab, students must be mature enough to understand the dangers of handling sharp tools, high-tech instruments and powerful chemicals. Younger students may also lack the background knowledge or the skills to complete the variety of tasks needed for working in the lab. Older students who are ready to be in the lab should understand what they're expected to do and have read the experiment prior to performing it. Instructors should encourage students to ask questions and explain any step that may be confusing.
A school laboratory must be designed and equipped to prevent and to handle emergencies. In case of substances getting into the eyes or on the skin, laboratories have eye wash stations and showers. Fire extinguishers, fire alarm pull stations and blankets are used to put out fires. Mercury safety kits and other solutions are also common in laboratories to help clean up spills of dangerous solutions. By knowing the location of such equipment, students and instructors will have better control over any accidents that may occur.
Students should wear clothing that covers the arms and legs to protect the skin and is made of nonsynthetic cloth, such as cotton or wool, that will not melt onto skin if it catches on fire. Students should also avoid clothes that are baggy or frilly; close-fit clothing reduces the risk of falling into a flame or chemical. Additionally, some laboratories require students to wear lab coats or aprons. Students should always wear safety goggles or eye shields to protect the eyes. It is also important to remove jewelry, which can fall into an experiment or trap harmful chemicals against the skin. Long hair needs to be tied up, too. Finally, no student should be without gloves.
Instructors should tour the laboratory before students conduct experiments to point out the location of all laboratory safety equipment. Each lab is set up differently, and knowing where safety equipment is located and how it is used can save precious time in the event of an emergency. Also, instructors should explain what students should do in different scenarios. Knowing how to react can save lives and lessen the likelihood of serious injuries.