Follow the instructions:
Before you begin, make sure you understand how to utilise all of the lab equipment. It’s vital to listen, pay attention, and be familiar with all of the stages, from start to finish, before you begin, whether you’re listening to your instructor or lab supervisor or following a process in a book. Even if it’s a query concerning a step later in the process, if you’re unsure about anything or have questions, have them answered before you start.
What makes this the most crucial rule? If you do not adhere to it:
In the lab, you put yourself and others in danger.
You may easily sabotage your research.
You put the lab in danger of an accident, which might harm personnel and damage equipment.
If you’re a student, you may be suspended, and if you’re a researcher, you could be dismissed.
Know where safety equipment can be found:
It’s critical to know where the safety equipment is located and how to use it if something goes wrong. It’s a good idea to examine the equipment regularly to ensure it’s in good operating order. Does water actually flow out of the safety shower, for example? Does the eye wash’s water appear to be clean?
Are you unsure where the safety equipment is kept? Before beginning an experiment, go over the lab safety signs and look for them.
Get ready for the lab:
Prepare yourself for the lab. Wear covered shoes and long pants to any science lab, and keep your hair up, so it doesn’t fall into your experiment or a flame. This is a safety rule because your clothing is one of your most acceptable kinds of protection against an accident.
Make sure you’re wearing protective gear if necessary. Safety goggles and a lab coat are required. You may also need gloves, hearing protection, and other equipment, depending on the nature of the experiment.
Avoid Eating or Drinking in the Laboratory:
Snacks should be saved for the office, not the lab. In the science lab, don’t eat or drink anything. Food and beverages should not be kept in the same refrigerator as experiments, chemicals, or cultures.
There is far too much possibility of food contamination. You could touch it with a hand that has been exposed to chemicals or infections, or you could place it on a lab bench that has been contaminated by previous research.
Drinking in the lab can also jeopardise your experiment. You may spill anything in your research or lab notebook.
Distracting yourself by eating and drinking in the lab is a good idea. You can’t concentrate on your task if you’re eating.
Chemicals should not be tasted or snifted:
You should refrain from bringing food or beverages into the lab. You should also refrain from tasting or smelling any chemicals or biological cultures already present. Some substances can be hazardous or even fatal if tasted or smelled. Labelling a container is the most effective method to know what’s inside, so make a habit of labelling glassware before adding the chemical.
In the laboratory, don’t act like a mad scientist:
Another crucial safety criterion is to behave responsibly in the lab – don’t experiment with substances at random to see what occurs. An explosion, a fire, or the emission of poisonous gases could occur.
The laboratory is not the place for horseplay, either. You risk breaking glassware, causing annoyance to others, and possibly causing an accident.
Properly dispose of laboratory waste:
A vital laboratory safety rule is knowing what to do with your experiment once it’s over. Before you start an investigation, you should know what you’re going to do at the conclusion. Don’t expect someone else to clean up after you.
Is flushing the chemicals down the toilet OK? If you don’t, what will you do with them?
Is it OK to clean biological cultures using soap and water, or do you need to use an autoclave to kill hazardous bacteria?
Are there any needles or shattered glass in your possession? Know how to dispose of “sharps” correctly.
What to Do in the Event of a Lab Mistake
Accidents happen, but you can do everything you can to prevent them and prepare for them if they do. Most laboratories have a plan in place in case of an accident.
One of the most essential safety requirements is to alert a supervisor if and when an accident happens. Don’t try to conceal or deny it. Suppose you get cut, are exposed to a chemical, are bitten by a lab animal, or spill something. In that case, there could be severe consequences, and the danger isn’t limited to you. You risk exposing people to a toxin or pathogen if you don’t seek medical care. If you don’t admit to an accident, you could get your lab into trouble.
Experiments should be left in the lab
You must leave your experiment at the lab for your own and others’ safety. Don’t bring it back with you. You may drop something, lose a specimen, or have an accident. This is how most science fiction films begin. You can harm someone, start a fire, or lose your lab privileges in real life.
While lab experiments should be left in the lab, there are numerous safe science projects you may conduct at home.
Experimenting on Yourself Isn’t a Good Idea
Many science fiction movies start with a scientist conducting an experiment on himself. However, you will not acquire superpowers or discover the secret to eternal youth.
Using the scientific method is what science entails. To make conclusions, you need data from several participants, yet using yourself as a subject and self-experimenting is risky, not to mention terrible science.
A love for science learning and teaching can bring us all together. A child is curious enough to create wonders, so all we have to do is direct their curious mind to the right way of questioning. Xperimentor science kits that make a science lab at home help your child expand the boundaries of knowledge. We desire to bring science to all. To this end, our blended science learning ecosystem is like the Swiss knife of effective learning. It assists your child in learning at their pace while establishing sound foundational knowledge with tons of fun science experiments, activities, and projects. We believe that experiential learning from our science experiment kits could lead to a generation of scientists and innovators. No wonder kids love it, and teachers across schools approve of it.
