Proper clothing includes safety glasses, laboratory coats or chemical resistant aprons, long pants, closed-toe shoes and latex or vinyl gloves. Long hair must be tied back to avoid exposure to flame. The idea is to limit the exposure to chemicals on the flesh.
Anyone who works in a laboratory should know the location of eye wash stations, deluge showers, first-aid kits and fire extinguishers. The supervisor or teacher ensures that this equipment is in proper repair and readiness.
No food or drink must ever enter a chemical laboratory so as to avoid ingestion of chemical contaminants. Nothing should enter a laboratory, such as book bags, hand bags, food or drink, that is not required for work.
A chemical tracking system accounts for every container of chemical, and its contents, usually to the gram. The information in the system includes source, type of container, hazardous classification and expiration date.
Never leave experiments or Bunsen burners unattended. Ensure that gas, heating elements and water are turned off before leaving the work bench.