2 – PROTECTING OTHERS

Laboratory work is rarely carried out alone.

The safety of other users of the chemistry lab begins with your own behavior in the room.
General view of a laboratory

FUME HOODS (SORBONNE)

Operation of fume hoods


Switching on the extractor fan
Positioning of the sash window
The correct positioning of the sash window is essential to ensure the hood provides adequate extraction
The window sash is too high.
Extraction is insufficient and disrupted. Dangerous for operators.
The window sash is correctly positioned.
Extraction is effective, ensuring safe handling.

LAB BENCHES

Organizing the workspace

The work area on the lab bench must be kept clean and unobstructed to avoid the risk of an accident.
The workspace is cluttered.

There is a high risk of spilling a solvent.
The workspace is clear with unused solvents at the back.

Chemicals can be handled safely.

Organizing the glassware

Always write down which solution is contained in which piece of glassware, as well as the concentrations, to avoid odd mixes
The three translucent liquids opposite could not be told apart if information was not written on the glassware.

There is no risk here of mistakenly mixing nitric acid (HNO3) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH), which would cause a strong exothermic reaction.

THE ROOM

Cluttering of the room

To avoid incidents, aisles in tutorial rooms must not be cluttered with bags
The bag in the aisle can be dangerous as it represents an obstacle for someone carrying solutions (acids, bases, solvents)
The bag has been set aside under the bench and no longer stands in the way of anyone working

Signs

A laboratory is not a living room. It is forbidden to:
  • Eat and drink (risk of contamination)
  • Smoke (risk of explosion)
  • Run (risk of accident)
On the other hand, in a laboratory you must :
  • Wear a lab coat even when you are not handling chemicals yourself (when others are)
  • Respect everyone’s workspace (a space for conducting experiments, a space for writing)
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