A Little Bit About Science Labs

By Adriana Noton

In this article you will find a some basic information regarding basic science labs rules, some health and safety tips, reasons for these rules and a little bit of information on the planning that goes into experiments before classes are allowed to partake in them.

It is well known that activities such as eating and drinking should not be performed in a lab. During the day the lab is used for numerous experiments each of which contain their own risks ans some of which utilize a variety of chemicals which may be harmful when ingested, an assortment of organisms if the lab is used for Biology which carry their own forms own bacteria and equipment that has been exposed to other forms of bacteria. If you ingest food that has come into contact with these surfaces there is a chance that you could find yourself with a bad illness.

Drinking as mentioned is also not allowed due to the ease at which it is to spill liquid. If a liquid is spilled and not cleaned, there is the potential for someone to slip up injuring themselves or if they slip whilst carrying a chemical or piece of apparatus the injury could be even more serious.

Running is also a hazardous activity, due the busy nature of a lab anyone could step into your path at any time which could cause you to run into them or avoid them and knock something over if chemicals are involved the situation could become more dire.

Safety spectacles are the most common piece of safety equipment known, they are used by all participants in all experiments and must be worn throughout the lab session. There is generally a class set in all lab rooms.

Risk assessments are undertaken for every experiment that is performed within a school. These experiments are tested by the central examining body and recommended to the school. Some experiments that are deemed critical to learning but are too hazardous for class participation are performed by the teacher. Experiments that use equipment such as lasers generally fall within this bracket as do experiments that involve a large amount of electrical current. Experiments that are not on the curriculum but where the teacher thinks the class may benefit may be performed but require special dispensation.

Each piece of equipment that is deemed a safety hazard must have a hazard card attached to it or placed with it, the aim of this is to ensure that any person operating the equipment will be able to competently use it. The Hazcard, as it is known, will contain expected results, operating variables and guidelines for use.

Radioactive sources have become common place within the lab environment and as such tougher restrictions have been placed upon them due to their dangerousness. By law when not in use all radioactive sources must be locked away in a cupboard whereby the key holders must be trained in the handling of such materials. The location of these sources must be known at all times.

All labs will have a gas supply for those lovely experiments with Bunsen burners, all of the gas taps must be connected to a main tap which in the event of an emergency can be quickly closed. Unlike in DT labs the electrical points do not have a safety cut out switch but circuit breakers are in place to ensure the current flow is disconnected as quickly as possible.

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