j Bouyer's Science Lab

Mr. Bouyer's School Science Lab

Lab Safety || Accidents || Safety Equipment || Lab Preparation || MSDS || Safety Links

Lab Safety: Everyone is Responsible!

"I didn't mean to" and "It wasn't my fault" are two statements that have no place in the lab. If someone is hurt or equipment is broken, these statements cannot undo the harm.
Horse-play will not be tolerated. If it occurs, those involved will be disqualified from the lab and given a zero for the assignment.
Lack of understanding is the main threat to safety in our lab. If you and your group are unprepared, you will be unsure of yourself, waste time, and have a good chance of making a mistake that leads to a problem.
At the beginning of each lab period, you will be given a chance to ask questions. If you are unsure of some procedure, now is the time to ask. Always pay close attention to any verbal instructions given at this time.
 

What's wrong with this picture? link to a local picture
 

Accidents Can Happen:
Broken Glass | Cuts and Scrapes | Chemical Spills | Fires

Remain calm! A minor problem quickly becomes a major one if you don't.

Lab Safety Equipment:

  1. Eye Wash Station:notice

    The eye wash station is located on the south wall of the science lab.

    • The station should only be used if chemicals come in contact with the eyes.
    • Eyelids have to be forcibly kept open to ensure effective washing.
    • Be sure to wash from the nose out to the ear. This will avoid washing chemicals back into the eye or into an unaffected eye.
    • Flood eyes and eyelids with water for a minimum of 15 minutes.
    • Contacts should not be worn during labs. If you are wearing them when involved with an accident, remove them as soon as possible to rinse eyes of any harmful chemicals.
    • After Mr. Bouyer determines the eyes are completely flushed, both of the victim's eyes should be covered with a clean or sterile gauze.

  2. Safety Shower:

    The safety shower is located on the south wall of the science lab.

    • The shower provides an effective means of treatment in the event that large amounts of chemicals are spilled or splashed onto the skin or clothing.
    • As long as the hanging handle is pulled down, the safety shower will supply a continuous stream of water to cover the entire body.
    • Individuals should remove clothing, including shoes and jewelry, while under an operating shower.

  3. Fire Safety Blanket:notice

    The fire safety blanket is located on the west wall.

    • Fire blankets are not the best means to extinguish a fire. They may be used to extinguish clothing that is burning, but should never be used on any other type of fire.

      Never wrap a standing student in the blanket. This creates a "chimney effect", bringing the fire directly to the student's face.

    • Only a Haylon fire extinguisher should be used on a fire involving personal clothing. The materials from other extinguishers can cut off oxygen to a person surrounded by the cloud of chemicals.
    • Fire blankets are a good means to keep shock victims warm.

  4. Fire Extinguisher:notice

    The fire extinguisher is located on the east wall.

  5. Sprinkler System:notice

    Sprinklers located throughout the lab area are automatically activated.

    • Students should not attempt to alter the system in any way.
    • Items in the lab should be stored at least 18 inches away from the sprinkler heads.
    • Items should not hang from the sprinkler heads.
    • Intense heat should not be used near the sprinkler heads.

Mr. Bouyer's Science Labs:

  • The scientific methodlink to a local webpage can't be learned following cookbook-like directions.
  • The purpose of a lab experiment is to test a hypothesis.link to a local webpage In most of our labs, you will be given a question or a hypothesis to design your own procedures to test.
  • To be successful in your laboratory experience, know how to:
      successfully conduct a lablink to a local webpage
      properly use lab equipmentlink to a local webpage
      correctly perform lab techniqueslink to a local webpage
      write a lab report using this report guidelink to a local webpage
      evaluate your report using this evaluation rubriclink to a local webpage
Prelab Preparation:

You are not prepared for a lab until your plan
is neatly written on a Lab Report Form.

Planning An Experiment:
  • Visualize yourself doing the experiment in our room!
    • What will you need to test your hypothesis? While you must think about the equipment you will use, an "equipment list" is not part of your Lab Report Form.
    • Make notes about everything you will do as you see yourself performing the experiment. Do not make these notes on a Lab Report Form. These are your "working" notes. You will probably make changes as you continue thinking about the lab.
    • Will you be making any measurements during the lab?
    • What other data will you need to collect?
    • What calculations will be needed?
    • How will you know if your hypothesis is right or wrong?
    • Look over your notes again. Are there any places where mistakes might be easily made? Can you do something different that will lower the chance for mistakes?
    • When you are satisfied that you have covered everything, write your procedures on a Lab Report Form.
    • Make your procedures clear enough that someone else could follow them.
Lab Station Clean-Up:
  • Clean-up is important for the safety of others and for the preservation of equipment.
  • Your lab station and equipment should be cleaned before you worry about the lab report.
  • What clean-up should be done after each lab?
    • Dispose of chemicals as directed by your facilitator.
    • NEVER put unused chemicals back into their original container.
    • Return chemical containers to the chemical table.
    • Wash and dry all glassware, then store properly.
    • Clean hardware, but DO NOT wash. If any hardware is wet, dry completely before storing. This is to prevent rusting.
    • Clean and dry your lab table.

Research Links: