01.

Lab Safety Name: ______________________________

Biotechniques (BIOL 410)

01. Lab Safety

Laboratory Objectives
• Review lab safety rules & protocols
• Discuss steps you can take to keep yourself safe

INTRODUCTION
In this lab you will have the opportunity to use many different techniques that you might not
get to see in your other biology courses. The goal of this course is to teach you about the
mechanics and applications of these techniques, AND how to use them safely. Therefore we will
start with safety to make sure we are aware of the rules, and what needs to be done to keep us safe
in the lab and field while conducting research.
There are many examples in science of people ignoring safety protocols, or science conducted
before the protocols were in place (e.g. Madame Currie). It is with those experiences that we have
developed standard practices for lab safety. You will find that some people practice the “old
school” methods (e.g. mouth pipetting, or not using protective gear), which they learned from
experience. However, we now know are not the safest practices, and you should follow proper
safety proceedures.

Safety Symbols

Symbols Hazard - example(s) and rules or guidelines

Glassware Hazard - Breakables

• You will be working with easily broken material; handle it with care.
• Do not use chipped, cracked or broken glassware.
• Do not heat or cool glassware that is not designed to withstand large
temperature changes.
o Use Pyrex, Kimax or TEKK glassware for heating or cooling.
• Do not heat glassware that is not thoroughly dry.
• Be sure you do not pick up glassware that may be hot or very cold unless you
use holders or insulated materials.
• Clean glassware thoroughly before putting it away.

Electrical hazard/sparks
• Do not use long extension cords in the lab.
• Do not overload one socket or circuit (it may cause a fire).
• Do not use electrical equipment or touch an outlet or wire with wet hands.
• Be sure plug is solidly inserted in the socket.
• Remember that people conduct electricity.
• Avoid getting outlets/electrical equipment wet. Most electrical appliances are
NOT designed to be used with liquids.
• Be sure electrical equipment is grounded.

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01. Lab Safety Name: ______________________________

Eye hazard - flying object, splash

• Protect your eyes with goggles.
• When you heat the contents of containers (tubes, flasks,
beakers), rotate the container continually, using tongs,
gloves or other appropriate heat-resistant material.
o Hold the container so it is pointed away from Eye Protection
your body and pointed away from others.

Fire Hazard - Flammable material

(volatile liquid, combustibles, organic sol-vents)
• Always wear goggles when using a flame or other heat source.
• Never heat anything in the laboratory - especially chemicals - unless
instructed to do so.
• Never reach across a flame.
• Always use a clamp, tongs, or heat-resistant gloves or pot holders to handle
hot objects.
• Be sure the work area is clean and uncluttered when using a flame.
• Use safety matches to light candles or torches and safety matches or strikers to
light Bunsen burners.
• Be sure matches are out by dipping them in water before discarding.

Poison Hazard
• Never smell any chemical directly from its container.
o Waft odors from the top of the container with your hand, guiding the
fumes toward your nose; only do this when instructed.
• Do not mix chemicals unless instructed to do so.
• Do not taste chemicals unless instructed to do so.
• Do not handle chemicals unless instructed to do so.
• Keep all containers (such as jars and bottles) closed tightly when chemicals are
not in use.
o Take out of the main supply only the amount of each chemical that
you need. Extra material should not be put back in the original
container.
• Dispose of chemicals according to instructions from the teacher or directions
in a book or instruction sheet.
• If any chemical gets on your skin or clothing, rinse it with water FIRST. Then
notify the teacher.
• Protect your hands appropriately.

Need for protective clothing

• Corrosive substances, burning substances, toxic materials
flammable materials, and poisons pose hazards.
• Anyone working in a lab needs to protect him/herself and
clothing from splatters, spills, broken glass, debris and stains.

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01. Lab Safety Name: ______________________________

Hand Hazard
• Protective gloves should be worn or special equipment or
tools used to protect against acids, toxic substances,
poisons, hot or very cold materials, or materials that may
be contaminated with harmful microorganisms.
• Wear appropriate gloves (heat-resistant, acid-resistant or
contamination-resistant).
• Do not force glass tubing or thermometers into rubber stoppers.
o Moisten the glass with water, and hold the tube/thermometer with a
towel. Twist firmly but without great force. If in doubt, ask the teacher
for help.
• Do not pick up broken glass with bare hands.
• Do not use thermometers outside the temperature rangefor which they were
designed; they could break.
• Some labs are equipped with hot plates that have built in magnetic stirring
devices. Remove magnetic stirring bars with a magnet; do not reach in to
retrieve it with bare hands.

Foot safety
• Protective footwear should be worn to protect against
liquid or solid spills, sharp objects, heavy objects falling
• Wear closed-toe shoes in the lab to minimize the risk of
some- thing heavy, burning or sharp harming your feet.

Animal safety and animal care

Remember to not harm any animal unnecessarily during observations or
experimentation.
• Handle animals only if necessary.
• Do not cause pain, discomfort or injury to an animal in the lab; treat animals
humanely.
• Handle animals only as your teacher directs.
• Frightened, pregnant, feeding or nursing animals require special handling.
• After handling animals or their cages, wash your hands thoroughly.
• Do not knowingly use pregnant or sick animals in experiments without a good
reason and with approval of a committee that reviews procedures dealing with
animal safety.

Plant Hazard
• Remember that some plants may be poisonous or have sharp components.
• Some people are allergic to plant components or oils on a plant’s surface.
o If you think you may be allergic to something, inform the teacher.

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01. Lab Safety Name: ______________________________

Gas Protection
• Gas precaution
• Toxic fumes may be present.

Sharps Hazard
• Use single-edged razors or instruments designed for dissection or cutting in the
lab; do not improvise.
• Handle sharp instruments carefully. 
• Cut away from you. 
• If you are cut or jabbed, report to your teacher immediately.
o Remember first aid principles; hold cut hands/arms up to minimize
blood loss; if an artery is cut, a tourniquet must be applied. Call an
emergency number immediately.
• Note lab instruments are generally not sterile!

Radiation Hazard
• Radiation hazard; radioactive materials are rarely usedin early science
training, however, if radioactive materials are used, there is need for
precautions - especially since radiation isn’t smelled or seen.

Explosion Hazard
• Explosion hazard; early lab science training exercises rarely result in
explosions, however, if there is potential for an explosion, there is extreme
need for precautions (skin, eye safety in particular for even the smallest of
explosions).

Examples  of  Emergencies  and  Responses  

You  accidentally  cut  yourself  with  a  scalpel.     Report  this  to  the  teacher  immediately.    

Walk  (don’t  run)  to  the  fire  blanket  (you  must  know  
where  it  is)  and  smother  the  fire  or  use  a  fire  
You  see  a  small  fire;  the  teacher  has  stepped  out  of  
extinguisher  (you  must  know  where  it  is)  to  extinguish  
the  room.    
the  fire.  Follow  procedures  that  have  been  ex-­‐  plained.  
DO  NOT  USE  WATER  to  put  out  fires  in  the  lab.    
In  cleaning  up  at  the  end  of  the  lab  period,  you  need   You  need  to  put  on  heat-­‐resistant  gloves  or  use  the  
to  pick  up  a  beaker  that  is  full  of  water  that  recently   other  special  equipment  according  to  procedures  used  
boiled.     in  the  school.    
Immediately  proceed  to  wash  out  your  eye(s)  and  
rinse  your  face.  Contact  your  teacher  as  soon  as  
A  chemical  accidentally  spatters  on  your  face.    
possible  (but  rinse  first).  (You  must  know  where  the  
eye  wash  materials  are  and/or  area  for  rinsing).    
You  observe  that  a  classmate  has  spilled  water  near  an  
Call  the  teacher  at  once.    
electric  hot  plate.    

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01. Lab Safety Name: ______________________________

Major  General  Laboratory  Safety  Rules  and  Reasons    

Never  eat  or  drink  in  the  lab.     You  might  accidentally  eat  something  hazardous.    

Traces  of  harmful  chemicals  could  be  left  in  the  

Never  eat  or  drink  from  laboratory  glassware.    
glassware.    

You  might  cause  an  accident  by  interfering  with  

Do  not  run  or  play  roughly  in  the  lab.    
someone  else  or  tripping  yourself.    

You  might  cause  an  accident.  For  example,  switching  

chemicals  might  cause  a  fire  or  explosion,  misplacing  
Do  not  play  practical  jokes  in  the  lab.    
equipment  might  delay  time  at  a  critical  point  of  an  
experiment  or  in  controlling  a  hazardous  situation.    
You  might  cause  an  accident  because  of  something  
else  being  done  at  a  nearby  work  station,  or  you  might  
not  have  materials  to  carry  out  your  experiment,  or  
Do  not  perform  experiments  unless  instructed  by  your  
the  experimental  methods  may  not  be  adequately  
teacher.  Don't  mix  chemicals  for  "fun."    
understood  which  could  cause  hazards.  Also  you  might  
produce  a  dangerous  substance  or  an  explosive  by  
accident.    
Chemicals,  even  water,  can  pose  hazards;  acids  can  
Avoid  spilling  material  in  the  laboratory.  If  anything   burn,  incompatible  chemicals  may  cause  fires;  liquid  
spills,  call  your  teacher  immediately.  Ask  the  teacher   on  a  table  or  floor  can  cause  a  slip.  There  are  different  
about  the  correct  procedure  for  cleanup.     procedures  for  different  substances.  Cleaning  up  a  spill  
the  wrong  way  can  make  things  worse.    

If  an  accident  occurs,  report  it  to  your  teacher   Even  the  most  minor  accident  may  require  first  aid  to  
promptly.     prevent  further  harm.    

Cluttered  and  unclean  areas  can  result  in  uninten-­‐  

Keep  equipment  and  work  areas  clean  and  organized.    
tional  and  sometimes  dangerous  reactions.    

Leaking  gas  can  cause  an  explosion/fire  if  someone  

lights  a  match  or  there  is  a  spark.  Electrical  equipment  
Be  sure  all  gas  jets  or  valves,  electrical  connections,  
might  short  circuit  or  overload  a  line  or  be  overlooked  
and  water  faucets  are  turned  off  when  you  are  
and  may  cause  a  shock  if  water  is  nearby,  and  running  
through  with  them  or  at  the  end  of  the  lab  period.    
water  may  cause  a  flood,  or  at  least  a  spill.  It  can  also  
cause  a  chemical  reaction.    
Fragments  of  glass  or  harmful  substances  can  damage  
Wear  eye  protection,  aprons  or  lab  coats,  closed-­‐toe   eyes.  Clothing  should  be  protected  to  minimize  risk  of  
shoes  and  othersafety  protection  as  directed  by  your   fire  or  burning,  or  other  harm  to  clothes  and  skin.  
teacher  or  the  instructions  in  your  book.     Exposed  toes  may  be  damaged  by  sharp  objects  or  
substances  that  burn  or  cause  other  damage  to  tissue.    

Read  labels  on  containers  with  care  before  using  their   Materials  with  similar  names  or  concentrations  may  
contents.     react  very  differently.    

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01. Lab Safety Name: ______________________________

Carry  microscopes  and  other  pieces  of  equipment  with   It  is  easy  to  drop  a  heavy  piece  of  equipment  if  you  are  
both  hands,  using  one  hand  to  support  the  instrument   jarred  or  surprised  or  simply  trip.  This  could  hurt  you  
from  underneath.     as  well  as  what  you  are  carrying!    

Follow  instructions  with  care  about  the  handling  and   The  care  and  safety  of  live  animals  should  always  be  of  
management  of  live  animals.     major  concern.    

Follow  safety  instructions  precisely  as  stated  in  your   A  small  change  in  a  method  can  make  a  big  change  in  
book  and/or  by  your  teacher.  Always  obtain   what  happens,  and  while  you  should  be  prepared  for  
permission  from  your  teacher  before  experimenting   the  unexpected,  prevention  of  harm  is  always  better  
on  your  own.  Do  not  perform  any  activities  that  have   than  minimizing  harm.  You  may  not  be  aware  of  what  
not  been  approved  by  your  teacher.     someone  near  you  will  do  and  vice-­‐versa.    
Glassware  that  is  chipped,  cracked  or  broken  can  
Never  use  broken  or  chipped  glassware.  If  you  notice  a   cause  cuts.  Material  placed  in  broken  or  chipped  
chip,  crack,  or  break,  inform  your  teacher   glassware  may  leak.  Glassware  that  is  not  intact  may  
immediately.  Dispose  of  the  glassware  in  the  proper   crack  when  heated.  If  squeezed  or  bumped  or  shocked  
container.     by  change  in  tempera-­‐  ture,  damaged  glassware  can  
break  relatively  easily.    

Learn  the  meaning  of  every  safety  symbol  used  in  the   Symbols  will  remind  you  of  hazards  and  how  to  
lab.     prevent  accidents  and  protect  yourself.    

Always  wash  your  hands  after  each  laboratory   It  is  a  good  habit  to  avoid  risk  of  exposure  to  anything  
experiment,  or  whenever  your  hands  have  been   that  may  hurt  your  skin  or  damage  your  tissue  in  any  
exposed  to  anything  that  might  harm  you.     way.    

Your  hands  may  have  come  in  contact  with  fecal  

Wash  your  hands  after  handling  animals  or  animal  
material  or  other  matter  in  the  cage  that  may  cause  
cages.    
you  harm.    
Mixing  some  combinations  of  materials  (in  cluding  
Read  instructions  for  an  experiment  several  times.  Be   water)  can  cause  accidents.  Heating  certain  materials  
sure  you  understand  each  of  them.  Follow  directions   or  combinations  of  materials  can  cause  accidents.  If  
exactly.  For  example,  add  acid  to  water,  not  water  to   someone  near  you  is  working  with  chemicals  
acid.  If  you  are  not  sure    about  any  part  of  the   (including  water),  fire,  bulky  equipment  or  tubing  that  
directions,  ask  your  teacher  for  help.     may  interfere  with  what  you  are  doing,  it  could  cause  
an  accident.    
Never  return  chemicals  to  their  original  containers.   Putting  chemicals  back  in  their  original  con-­‐  tainers  
Dispose  of  extra  material  you  do  not  need  according  to   may  cause  contamination  and  therefore,  
your  teacher's  directions.     unpredictable  reactions.    

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01. Lab Safety Name: ______________________________

Lab Exercise: Test you knowledge

Multiple Choice: Choose the best possible answer.

____ 1. A safety symbol that resembles an electric plug reminds you about 
a. the need to prevent injury to lab animals
b. the danger of working with electrical equipment
c. the hazards of working with breakable material
d. wearing goggles in the labe. using a fire blanket appropriately 

____ 2. A safety symbol resembling a flame cautions you to 

a. wear safety goggles
b. protect an animal from fire
c. be careful when working with material that is flammable
d. sweep up broken glasswaree. wear acid-resistant gloves 

____ 3. The safety symbol of a razor blade reminds you to be careful when working with 
a. hot objects
b. laboratory animals
c. chemicals
 d. glasswaree. sharp instruments

____ 4. When you see a fire in the laboratory, what should you do immediately?
a. get the fire extinguisher or fire blanket, and put out the fire thoroughly.
 b. pour water over the fire.
 c. run from the room, propping the fire door for easy access
d. call the Berkshire eagle.

____ 5. While you are using a piece of electrical equipment, you notice it has a frayed wire. What
should you do>
a. continue the experiment anyway.
b. continue the experiment with a replacement piece of equipment, after putting the
broken equipment back on the shelf.
c. the them equipment off, and Alert the teacher
d. immediately hit the power shutdown.

____ 6. Which of the heating sources listed below can cause an hazard if not properly used?
a. candle
b. bunsen burner
c. hot plate
d. all of the above

____ 7. It is a good idea to not eat in the lab because:

a. you could mix up your food/drink and a lab sample
b. there may be aerosol chemicals or vapors that are dangers if ingested
c. your food could be contaminated by substances in the lab
d. all of the above are correct.

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01. Lab Safety Name: ______________________________

Correct the wrong word or words in the following sentences or add words to correct the
statements:
a. Always add water to acid carefully when making dilutions.

b. Heat material in a closed container or vessel.

c. You should identify unknown white powders in the laboratory by tasting them.

d. Mixing two chemicals together without waiting for your teacher’s instructions or without
follow- ing instructions in your book shows initiative and is safe.

e. For efficiency, always pour more chemicals into a flask than required for a given
experiment.

f. It is safest to sit while working with volatile chemicals in the lab.

g. Pyrex or Kimax or TEKK test tubes may be heated in a flame by holding them with your
hands.

h. When heating material in a test tube, point the mouth of the test tube toward yourself.

i. It is safe to eat or drink from laboratory glassware as long as it looks clean. 

j. It is not necessary to report minor laboratory accidents such as cuts. 

True/False: The statements below may or may not be correct. Read each statement. If it is correct,
write the word True in the space provided to the left of the statement. If the statement is false, write
False in the space provided.

__________ 1. The laboratory is an ideal place for practical jokes.

__________ 2. Never leave an open flame unattended.

__________ 3. Always read the label on a container before removing any of the material in the
container.

__________ 4. It is a good idea to show your independence by performing experiments that have
not been approved by your teacher.

__________ 5. Always return unused chemicals to their original containers so as not to waste
them.

__________ 6. It is generally necessary to place your nose directly over a container to smell the
material in the container.

__________ 7. If you wear contact lenses, it is not necessary to wear safety goggles in the
laboratory.

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01. Lab Safety Name: ______________________________

__________ 8. If you are not working with chemicals, it is all right to wear open sandals in the
laboratory.

__________ 9. The open end or mouth of a test tube should never be pointed toward you or
anyone else.

__________ 10. When anything spills in the laboratory, the teacher should be notified right away.

__________ 11. It is necessary to report even minor laboratory accidents to the teacher.

__________ 12. Long hair should be tied back when working in the laboratory with chemicals.

__________ 13. It is safest to heat the contents of test tubes in a flame while seated.

__________ 14. The location of a fire extinguisher and fire blanket should be known by everyone
in the laboratory.

Matching: Match the safety symbol or symbols (hazard or protection) and the activity laboratory
safety. More than one symbol may go with one activity, and symbols may be used more than
once.

Symbol A Symbol B Symbol C Symbol D Symbol E

Symbol F Symbol G Symbol H Symbol I Symbol J

Symbol(s) Laboratory Activity

____ 1. Using a scalpel to dissect a ____ 6. Heating a solution in a test tube 
flower 

____ 2. Observing the way a frog moves ____ 7. Using a hot plate to check the
boiling point of a solution 

____ 3. Collecting plant specimens  ____ 8. Using a flame to sterilize a

dissecting needle 

____ 4. Inserting a thermometer into a ____ 9. Placing a hot test tube in a

rubber stopper  beaker of room temperature
water 
____ 5. Placing an unknown solid in
acid  _____ 10. Cutting a piece of rubber
tubing

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01. Lab Safety Name: ______________________________

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