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A college chemistry lab is a relatively safe environment when students follow simple safety rules, know what they are doing in their experiments, and pay attention to specific hazards of each chemical and procedure. You are responsible for laboratory safety. You will be handling glassware, fire, and chemicals which may be flammable, corrosive, reactive, and/or otherwise toxic. The most frightening aspect of this is that your classmates (some of whom may not have read the lab manual nor listened very well during the prelab discussion) are handling the same dangerous materials. Each student is responsible for following all safety rules. Please be safe.

Safety is the most important aspect of CHEM 100L. Please read the safety rules in Experiment 01 and on your Check-In sheet. Violation of any safety rule may result in dismissal and a grade of zero on the lab.

Some general rules are outlined below. Others will be distributed with your check-in materials. Still more rules will stated by your instructor for specific labs during the pre-lab discussion. It is very important that you arrive on time for each lab so that you can hear the pre-lab discussion and be aware of the specific safety hazards involved for each experiment.

1. Safety goggles (ANSI-Z87 certified splash proof goggles, not glasses with side shields).
   1. Required at all times when anyone in the room is working with chemicals, glassware, or equipment.
   2. If you need a break from goggles, leave the room for a while.
   3. Students violating Rule 1.a. will be dismissed from lab. (Goggles are available in the bookstore.)
2. Proper clothing.
   1. Old clothes. (Note: strong acids, bases, and some other chemicals will dissolve and/or stain most fabrics.)
   2. Shoes with tops, i.e., close-toed shoes (to protect against falling objects or chemicals).
3. Experiments.
   1. Conduct experiments strictly as outlined in the lab manual, unless modified by instructor.
   2. No unauthorized experiments.
   3. Never use laboratory chemicals or equipment without an instructor present.
   4. Dispose of chemicals in the proper hazardous waste container. If you're not sure, please ask!
   5. LISTEN and PAY ATTENTION during pre-lab discussion. This is when I point out some of the experiment-specific hazards and important precautions. Do not be late for lab! (This is a safety policy, in addition to being a District attendance rule.) If you miss the pre-lab discussion, talk to me before beginning lab work.
4. List of NO's.
   1. No fooling around with chemicals or equipment.
   2. No messy bench tops. Clean up all spills immediately.
   3. No smoking.
   4. No eating.
5. List of KNOW's.
   1. Know hazards of each particular chemical. (see MSDS collection)
   2. Know location of all safety equipment, including the exits, fire extinguishers, eye wash and shower, first aid kit, dustpan and brush, glassware and hazardous waste disposal locations, fire blankets, telephone and/or "red" emergency call box, lab hoods, and the MSDS collection.
   3. Know when and how to use all safety equipment.
   4. Know what you're doing in the lab, and why you're doing it. If you don't know, please ask!