Revision sheet: Organic Chemistry Laboratory Safety

📋 Course Outline

1. Safe Science Responsibilities
2. Entry Requirements and PPE
3. Independent Instrument Access
4. Fume Hood Safety
5. Bunsen Burner Operation
6. Laboratory Waste Management
7. Chemical Spill Response
8. Emergencies and Injuries
9. Earthquake Safety Protocol

📖 1. Safe Science Responsibilities

🔑 Key Concepts & Definitions

• Chemistry laboratory : A facility where scientists, students, and researchers perform experiments, analyse substances, and study chemical reactions safely.

📝 Essential Points

• Safe science requires three practices:
  • Preparedness through completing requirements and reviewing data sheets
  • Professional discipline through strict focus and avoidance of carelessness or horseplay
  • Prompt reporting of chemical leaks to the faculty in charge

📌 Students must immediately alert the faculty in charge when chemical leakage occurs so that the situation can be assisted.

💡 Memory Hook

Preparedness, Professional discipline, Prompt reporting: the 3 Ps of safe science

📖 2. Entry Requirements and PPE

📝 Essential Points

📌 Students must complete the laboratory pre-report and review all relevant safety data sheets before entering or participating in laboratory activities.

• The laboratory prohibits:

  • Horseplay
  • Pranks
  • Eating
  • Bringing drinks

• Required personal protective equipment includes:

  • Goggles and a hairnet
  • A laboratory apron or gown over a sleeved shirt
  • Full-length pants
  • Closed shoes

💡 Memory Hook

The mind prepares and the body protects

📖 3. Independent Instrument Access

📝 Essential Points

• Independent instrument access follows six steps: submit a request, have the request evaluated, attend training, demonstrate use under guidance, receive approval, and log every use.

💡 Memory Hook

Submit → Evaluate → Train → Demonstrate → Approve → Log

📖 4. Fume Hood Safety

📝 Essential Points

📌 When using a fume hood, keep the glass sash at a safe working height of 30–45 cm, place all chemical equipment at least 15 cm (6 in) inside, and verify the airflow indicators or alarm before starting.

📌 Never raise the fume-hood sash above the safety line, put your head into the hood, or use the hood as a storage cabinet for chemicals or waste.

💡 Memory Hook

Keep equipment inside the hood, but keep your head out

📖 5. Bunsen Burner Operation

📝 Essential Points

• Safe Bunsen burner ignition requires inspecting and clearing the area, closing the air hole, striking the match before opening the gas valve, and then adjusting the air hole to produce a blue heating flame.

💡 Memory Hook

Inspect → Prep → Ignite → Adjust

📖 6. Laboratory Waste Management

📝 Essential Points

• Under DENR RA. 6969, laboratory waste management proceeds through generation, segregation, containerization, and collection for proper storage or disposal.

📌 Liquid chemical waste belongs in a polyethylene carboy, light-sensitive chemicals in an amber glass bottle, sharp objects in a rigid sharps container, and potentially biologically hazardous materials in a biohazard container.

💡 Memory Hook

Generation → Segregation → Containerization → Collection

📖 7. Chemical Spill Response

★ Must-know

• Minor spill response requires alerting and protecting personnel, containing and neutralizing the spill, collecting residues in a labelled waste container, and decontaminating the area with detergent and water before reporting the incident.

📌 A minor chemical spill is a small, easily controlled amount handled with laboratory personnel and a spill kit, whereas a major spill involves a large quantity, toxicity, flammability, or dangerous vapors and requires immediate evacuation.

Further detail

• Minor spills are treated according to their type:
  • Acid spills with sodium bicarbonate
  • Base spills with citric acid or boric acid
  • Solvent spills with activated charcoal or spill pillows

💡 Memory Hook

Minor spills are controlled with a spill kit; major spills require evacuation

📖 8. Emergencies and Injuries

★ Must-know

• For eye exposure, activate the eyewash and hold the eyelids open while flushing, whereas for body exposure, pull the safety-shower lever, stand under the flow, and remove contaminated clothing.

📌 For a suspected gas leak indicated by a rotten-egg odor or hissing sound, do not ignite anything or flip electrical switches; turn off the nearest gas valve if safe, or evacuate and notify the safety instructor if the leak is widespread.

📌 For a gas fire, shut off the gas source only if it is safe to reach, use a Class B or C fire extinguisher for a small fire, evacuate and pull the alarm for a large fire, and never use water on gas or electrical fires.

📌 After chemical exposure to the skin or eyes, flush the affected area continuously for a minimum of 15 mins.

Further detail

📌 Common laboratory injuries require washing minor cuts and applying antiseptic, applying firm pressure and seeking help for severe bleeding, cooling thermal burns with running water for 15 mins without ointment, moving inhalation victims to fresh air, and cutting power before touching an electrical-shock victim.

💡 Memory Hook

Protect, evacuate or flush, then report or seek help

📖 9. Earthquake Safety Protocol

★ Must-know

• 🔄 During an earthquake:
  1. Shut off the Bunsen burner and power down electrical equipment
  2. Move away from chemical storage shelves, glass cabinets, and active experiment benches
  3. Drop, cover the head, and hold on under a sturdy table or desk

Further detail

📌 During an earthquake, stay away from windows and never use elevators.

💡 Memory Hook

Neutralize hazards → Evade chemicals → Take cover

📊 Synthesis Tables

Chemical Spill Decisions

Situation	Required response	Cleaning rule
Minor spill	Alert personnel, use PPE, contain and neutralize	Clean with the spill kit and report
Major spill	Evacuate, turn off ignition sources if safe, call emergency personnel	Do not attempt to clean