Lab Safety Practice Quiz

The purpose of wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) in a laboratory is to protect against potential hazards. PPE includes items such as gloves, goggles, lab coats, and masks, which are designed to minimize exposure to harmful substances, chemicals, and biological agents. Wearing PPE helps to prevent injuries, burns, contamination, and the spread of infectious diseases, ensuring the safety and well-being of the laboratory personnel.

Eating, drinking, or applying cosmetics in a lab should be avoided to prevent potential ingestion or contact with harmful substances. Labs often contain hazardous chemicals, and consuming or coming into contact with these substances can be dangerous to one's health. It is important to maintain a safe and controlled environment in a lab to minimize the risk of accidents or exposure to harmful substances.

If a beaker of unknown liquid has no label, it is important to treat it as potentially hazardous. This means that it could potentially be dangerous or harmful. Therefore, it is necessary to notify the lab supervisor so that they can assess the situation and take appropriate measures to handle the unknown liquid safely. Tasting or smelling the liquid is not recommended as it could be toxic or harmful. Asking a lab partner to identify it may not be reliable or safe.

In the event of a fire in a lab, it is important to follow proper safety protocols. Using a fire extinguisher if safe and trained to do so is a recommended action as it can help to control or extinguish the fire. Pulling the fire alarm is necessary to alert others in the building and initiate the evacuation process. Evacuating the lab immediately is crucial to ensure everyone's safety. However, trying to put out the fire with water, regardless of the source, is not advised as it can potentially worsen the situation by spreading the fire or causing chemical reactions.

While working with heat, you must remember to never heat closed containers, keep them away from you and your classmates, and use clamps when you need to hold the container. These precautions are important to ensure safety and prevent accidents or injuries while working with heat. All of the above is important and is the correct answer. 

The correct answer is to first inform the instructor and then with the help of the lab assistant use water and paper towels to clean up the spill and place the broken test tube in the specified disposal container. This is the best course of action because it ensures that the spill is properly cleaned up and the broken glass is disposed of safely. Using water and paper towels helps to remove the chemical from the table, minimizing the potential for further accidents or contamination. Placing the broken test tube in the disposal container designated for sharp objects ensures that it is handled properly and reduces the risk of injury.

The correct course of action is to smother the flame using a fire blanket. Fire blankets are designed to quickly and effectively extinguish small fires by cutting off the oxygen supply. Pouring water on the fire, especially if the clothing is synthetic, could make the situation worse, and trying to beat the fire out with your hand could result in burns. Leaving the lab could delay immediate assistance. Therefore, using a fire blanket is the safest and most effective response.

The appropriate way to smell a chemical in the lab is to use the "wafting" technique. This involves gently waving your hand over the chemical to create a small air current, and then bringing the scent towards your nose. This technique helps to prevent inhaling a large concentration of the chemical and reduces the risk of potential harm or irritation to the respiratory system.

Ensuring all equipment is turned off and the area is clean is the most crucial safety practice when leaving the lab. This prevents potential hazards like fires, chemical spills, or equipment damage. Turning off lights and locking the door are also important, but secondary to ensuring a safe environment. Taking personal items is a matter of personal responsibility, not lab safety.

When diluting a strong acid, it is crucial to add the acid to water slowly and gradually. This is because the reaction between a strong acid and water is highly exothermic, meaning it releases a significant amount of heat. Adding water to acid can cause the acid to splatter or even boil violently, potentially leading to chemical burns or injuries. Adding acid to water allows the heat to be dissipated more effectively, reducing the risk of dangerous reactions.