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Lab Safety Rules For High School

By: Scott Richardson


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High school level science labs are loaded with important specimens, dangerous chemicals and not to mention, sophisticated lab equipment. They form the most important part of the school, where students can learn hands-on knowledge and demonstrate practical results. But, for proper operation and school safety purposes, students should adhere to the lab safety rules. For high school, certain lab safety rules have been explained below, which have to be adhered to at all times.

High School Lab Safety Rules

Be it middle school or high school, lab safety rules are a must to be followed by each and every student in the laboratory. The precautionary measures are imperative for safety of all people in the lab, as well as proper maintenance of the equipment. Also, safe experimenting is one of the the key tips for getting accurate results. High school lab safety checklist is explained below:

Training Students
No doubt, students of high school are already familiar with lab safety rules for middle school. But, updating high school lab safety rules by the concerned teacher is crucial to minimize avoidable accidents. Before any experiment, the teacher is expected to explain the step-by-step procedure to the students.

Wearing Safety Apparels
Students should wear apparel suited for working in a scientific laboratory. Safety goggles and lab coats are mandatory for entering a science lab. Also, wearing full-sleeved clothes, long pants and shoes is a recommended safety tip for all students, especially when they are working in a chemistry lab. Avoid wearing short skirts and sandals.

Working with Chemicals
This is one of the chemistry lab safety rules for high school that should be practiced stringently. Always read the label and go through the material safety data sheet (MSDS) posted in the lab. Do not pipette chemicals with mouth. Also, stick to the experiment protocol exactly, while combining chemicals, or you may get a different result.

Working with Specimens
While testing water or specimens for pathogenesis, handle carefully, as the sample may contain virulent microbes. At any point of time, microbiology and biology experiments should be conducted with special care and attention. The same is with disposal of the specimens. Failure to do so can lead to contamination in the lab.

Handling Lab Equipment
Needless to say, nearly all laboratory equipments are expensive and require proper handling. Say for example; a compound microscope should be held in the arm by one hand and another hand should support the base. Likewise, other devices require correct maintenance. Teachers should monitor the students while working with equipment.

Working with Open Flames
Heating a chemical filled test tube is a common procedure in chemistry experiments. While doing the same, care has to be taken that the test tube is oriented away from the body and also, away from the direction of other students. Never leave an open flame unattended, as it can lead to a potentially hazardous situation.

First Aid Knowledge
Another important lab safety rule for high school students is learning first aid tips that should be followed in case of emergency. Say for example; what should be done if an acidic or strong base solution spills on the skin. Students should be aware with usage guidelines for fire extinguishers and other emergency procedures.

Self Precautions
Eating or drinking in the lab is to be strictly avoided. Make sure that a safe distance is maintained while working with flammable materials (e.g. acetone and alcohol) and open flame at the same time. In case of glassware breakage, collect the pieces carefully, and dispose in the trash bin. Never smell, or sniff, a chemical without knowing what it is.

So, this was all about science lab safety rules for high school. The point is to maintain the laboratory as a safe experimentation block, which students can work and get good results, without exposing themselves to accidental dangers.

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