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What We Will Be Covering in This Unit

"Be respectful to all and an enemy to none."
- author unknown -

SCIENCE LAB SAFETY

In this Unit we will be discussing some of the basic lab safety guidelines (read instructions, clean up all messes immediately, organize your lab, handle chemicals properly, practice good fire safety skills, wear gloves and goggles as appropriate, wafting, no horseplay, and no eating). We will also be covering first aid for burns, chemicals in the eye and on the skin, as well as chemical inhalation and ingestion.

List three things that are necessary for a fire to occur?
      fuel, heat, oxygen

What does MSDS stand for?
      Material Safety Data Sheet

If do you do if the fire alarm rings while you are conducting a lab?
      extinguish any open flames, leave the room in an orderly manner, and meet at a predetermined location (in the back behind the portable)

If you happen to catch on fire during a lab, what three actions should you take immediately?
     STOP, DROP and ROLL

Why do you place a fire blanket over a fire to extinguish the flame?
      the blanket limits the amount of available oxygen

What is the correct way to use a fire extinguisher?
      point the foam at the base of the fire and use a sweeping motion

List three things that you should do if you accidentally get chemicals splashed in your eye.
      1 - remove goggles and glasses or contact lenses if any;
      2 - hold your eyelid open and gently and continuously flush the eye with water for 10-15 miuntes.
      3 - if irritation or pain persists, head to the emergency room with a sample of the chemical and an MSDS

List three things that you might have to do when you discover that a person has accidentally ingested poison..
      1 - give them milk or water
      2 - do nothing but watch them
      3 - cause them to vomit

What is spontaneous combustion?
      when two chemicals start on fire simply by coming into contact withi one another

What is an eyewash station primaily used for?
      to rinse chemicals that may splash in your eye

If you happen to find a person in the lab who is not breathing, whatdo you do to try to save their life?
     1 - remove them from the room and get them fresh air
      2 - if they stop breathing, administer CPR
      3 - if irritation persists or they have a hard time getting their breath, take them to the emergency room with a sample of the chemicals and an MSDS (or call 911)

ASSIGNMENTS/ACTIVITIES

Monday (A Day) & Tuesday (B Day) - Today we will have a basic introduction into the class including rule, expectations, procedures, and brief discussion of the Science Lab Safety Contract. Click here to download a copy.

Wednesday (A Day) & Thursday (B Day) - Today we will intrioduce students to the "Lab Team," explain an overview of the Science Safety Guidelines, and hone in on our classroom procedures.

Friday (A Day) & Monday (B Day) - The "Big Cornstarch Explosion". As you may well be able to tell we are focusing on our Fire Safety skills today.

VOCABULARY TERMS FOR THIS WEEK

Combustion: a rapid reaction between oxygen and fuel that produces thermal (heat) energy.