Safety is your primary responsibility

Chemical laboratories are potentially dangerous wo places and accidents in the laboratory can have serious and tragic consequences. However, if you are aware of potential hazards, and work with due care and attention to safety, the risk of accidents is small. Some general guidelines for safety in the laboratory are presented in this section. In addition to these principles you must be familiar with the safety regulations in force in your area and the rules and guidelines applied by the administrators of your laboratory. 

Your supervisor has a responsibility to warn you of the dangers associated with your work, and you should always consult him/her, or a safety officer, if you are unsure about potential hazards. However, your own safety, and that of your colleagues in the lab, is largely determined by your work practices. Always work carefully, use your common sense, and abide by the safety regulations. 

Some important general principles of safe practice are summarized in the following rules 

This covers basic rules such as always wearing safety spectacles, never working alone, and working neatly and unhurriedly. 

Assess the possible hazards before carrying out a reaction. 

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