Lab safety and equipment · Grade 6
A science lab has hazards: heat, flames, glass and chemicals. Knowing the hazard symbols, the names of the apparatus and a few safe habits means practical work can be done safely.
Key facts
- A hazard is something that could cause harm; the risk is the chance that it does. A control measure makes the risk smaller.
- Hazard symbols are a black picture in a red diamond: a flame means flammable; a hand and a surface being eaten away mean corrosive; a skull and crossbones means toxic; an exclamation mark means harmful or irritant; a flame over a circle means oxidising.
- Always wear safety goggles, tie long hair back, stand up, keep bags under the bench, keep the bench tidy, and never eat or drink.
- Heat a test tube gently, pointing it away from everyone. Use tongs for hot things. Tell the teacher about every spill or breakage.
- Bunsen burner: air hole closed gives the yellow safety flame (easy to see); air hole open gives the blue roaring flame (the hottest).
- Common apparatus: beaker, test tube, conical flask, measuring cylinder, tripod and gauze, heatproof mat, clamp stand, evaporating basin, funnel and filter paper, spatula.