Freshman Biotechnology Shop

Common Laboratory Accidents

Nature/Causes:• Small cuts caused by broken glass (e.g. test

tubes, or glass tubing), tools (e.g. dissecting instruments, cork borer or cutter) or sharp edges.

1. Cuts

Notify the instructor of any cuts and know the location of the first-aid kits and sharps

containers!!

Safety Precautions:• Be sure to handle sharp instruments (e.g. razor

blades, scalpels) with care and do not play with them.

• Unwanted razor blades and mounting needles should be properly wrapped up before disposal.

• Glassware showing signs of cracking or those with broken edges should not be used for experiments.

• Broken pieces of glass should be disposed of properly in a metal or plastic container assigned for such purpose (referred to as sharps container) and never into a general trash container.

Avoiding Cuts

Nature/Causes:• Carelessness in handling hot objects (e.g. tripods,

glassware, metal rods/plates, crucibles or combustion spoons), hot liquids, Bunsen flame or lighted matches.

2. Heat burns/scalds

Notify the instructor of any burns/scalds and know the location of the burn kits!!

Safety Precautions:• Do not touch or hold hot objects with bare hands. • Crucible tongs or heat-resistant gloves should be used when

picking up hot objects. Place them on a heat-resistant mat, not directly on the bench, for cooling.

• Heat-resistant gloves should be worn when operating the autoclave.

• Burners, wire gauzes and tripods remain hot for some time after use. They should also be handled with care.

• Turn off Bunsen burners that will not be used for some time. • Arms or any parts of the body should not be stretched over

lighted burners. • Long hair should be tied up and loose-fit clothing avoided.• Do not apply ointments or any other chemicals to the injured area

of heat burn. Use the Burn Kit.

Avoiding burns/scalds

Nature/Causes:• Spillage of chemicals during transfer or heating of

chemical liquids, washing up of apparatus containing chemical mixtures, opening the container of chemical or breakage of glass containers.

• Mischievous behavior or pouring chemicals to others.• Incorrect techniques utilized.

3. Chemical on skin

Notify the instructor of any chemical spills and know the location of the safety

shower!!

Safety Precautions:• Chemicals should always be handled with great care. • Avoid direct skin contact when transferring chemicals. • Protective gloves should be worn when chemicals are

handled. • Proper laboratory scupula should be used for handling

chemical solids. • All chemicals should never be tasted. • Wash hands after handling chemicals and before leaving

the laboratory. • Do not fill substance to be heated in glassware as it can

boil over. Always keep mouth of glassware away from face and skin.

Avoiding chemical on skin

Causes/Nature: • Chemical liquids or solids which splashed onto the eyes,

giving rise to slight irritation or discomfort. • Unintentionally rubbing eyes with hands contaminated with

chemicals. • Looking at bright light through a magnifying glass or directly

at UV light.

4. Eye accidents

Notify the instructor of any eye injuries and know the location of the eye wash stations!!

Safety Precautions:• Eye injuries can be very damaging and

therefore accidents involving the eyes, medical advice should be sought immediately and the cases reported to the nurse as soon as possible.

• Always wear safety glasses during experiments.

• Wear safety glasses even when observing science experiments demonstrated by the teacher and when decontaminating lab benches or instrumentation.

Avoiding eye accidents

Nature/Causes:• Accidental ignition of flammable liquids (e.g.

ethanol or ethyl ethanoate). • Ignition of gas coming out from defective

burner.

5. Fire

Notify the instructor of any fires and know the location of the safety shower and fire

extinguishers!! Also, know the fire drill procedure!!!

Safety Precautions:• For flammable chemicals, heating should

always be done using a hot water bath with no open flame nearby.

• The quantity of flammable chemicals used during experiments should be kept to a minimum.

• Care should be taken when handling any flammable chemicals or open flames.

Avoiding Fires

How to Use the Fire Extinguishers

1. Exit in a quiet and orderly manner.2. Stay together as a class.3. Proceed to designated area between our

building and main building.4. Line up alphabetically.5. Instructor will take attendance.6. Instructor will hold up green card if all

students are present and red card if not.7. Remain in designated area until notified

otherwise.

Fire Drill Procedure

Nature/Causes:• Discomfort after inhaling a small amount of

gas/vapour (e.g. sulphur dioxide, bromine or ammonia) from reaction mixtures.

6. Inhalation of gases

Notify the instructor if any gases have been inhaled and know the location of the chemical storage cabinet!!

Safety Precautions:• Experiments involving harmful gases/vapor should be

done on a small scale and inside a fume hood. • Good ventilation of the laboratory should always be

maintained by opening the windows, switching on the exhaust fans as appropriate. It is helpful to leave the fan of the fume hoodd operating during the whole practical lesson when these experiments are being done.

• When testing for the odor of a gas, fan the gas gently to the nose but not smell it directly over the container.

• Asthmatics should not smell harmful or irritating gases/vapor.

Avoiding inhalation of gases

Nature/Causes:• Exposed or frayed wires.• Liquids near receptacles or electrical

instruments.

7. Electrical shock

Notify the instructor of any electrical shocks and know the emergency procedure for injuries (will be

developed in our Emergency Plan)!!

Safety Precautions:• If any wires are frayed or exposed on

instrumentation, notify instructor immediately for proper repair/disposal.

• Do not operate electrical instruments near water.

• Be careful of liquid spillage near receptacles.• Make sure power cords are dry prior to

plugging in.

Avoiding electrical shock

Nature/Causes:• Liquids on the floor.• Objects in the aisles.

8. Slips and falls

Notify the instructor of any slips or falls and know the rules for objects in the classroom!!

Safety Precautions:• Clean up any spills on the floor immediately.• Keep all objects off of the floor and any bags

in your locker/cubby.

Avoiding slips and falls

Biotechnology is fun but can be dangerous so be sure to follow

the rules and be safe!!!

Remember!!!