Safety Video by American Chemical Society (1991)

This video is no longer published so I am making it available to students and teachers.
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INTERVIEW
1) Revell, K. (November 16, 2016) “An Interview with Heath Giesbrecht, Part I” The Macmillan Community https://community.macmillan.com/groups/flipped-chemistry/blog/2016/11/17/an-interview-with-heath-giesbrecht-part-1
2) Revell, K. (November 16, 2016) “An Interview with Heath Giesbrecht, Part II” The Macmillan Community https://community.macmillan.com/groups/flipped-chemistry/blog/2016/11/17/an-interview-with-heath-giesbrecht-part-2
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INTERDISCIPLINARY ART LECTURE:
1) Giesbrecht, H., Peet, K. (January 20, 2016) “Translating Failure” WEDGE_SPACE https://vimeo.com/152432030
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FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/profheath/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/prof_heath

(upbeat music)

- [Narrator] Chemistry lab is different

from most other courses.

Here you gain new
knowledge by doing things,

not just reading about them.

You'll spend much of your
time in chemistry lab

working with equipment and
techniques that are new to you.

They can be dangerous if you don't adhere

to strict safety procedures.

But if you start with safety
by following the rules,

paying attention and using common sense,

you can work with confidence
that you'll be safe

in the chemistry laboratory.

And you can have fun at the same time.

Handling chemicals safely
means following rules

designed to keep them from
contacting your skin and eyes

or someone else's.

One important safety rule is
always use small containers

that you can control easily.

Ignoring this rule can cause accidents.

If you have an accident,
always inform your teacher.

Pouring from small
containers is far safer.

Accidents can also happen
when mixing chemicals

- Is this okay?

- Looks fine.

You can go ahead and get started.

- Okay, thank you

- [Narrator] To be safe only mix chemicals

when your teacher says to.

Read the instructions for the experiment

all the way through first

before doing anything.

Read and reread labels

before use to make sure you've
got the right chemicals.

Note, the concentration
and the hazard warning.

Accidents can happen
when the wrong chemicals

are mixed together or
when the right chemicals

are mixed together in the wrong way.

Make sure to follow your
instructions exactly.

For example, suppose you have

to dilute concentrated
sulfuric acid with water.

You might think you
could mix them together

anyway you wish,

but there's an important rule

for diluting concentrated
sulfuric or phosphoric acid

that should always be followed.

Add the acid to the
water, never the reverse.

Remember it by the initials AA add acid.

Watch what happens when
you don't follow this rule.

This is water added to acid.

The acid boils, and it can
splash out of the beaker.

When acid and water are mixed correctly

there's less danger.

Acid is poured from a graduated cylinder

or beaker down a stirring
rod into the water.

Whenever you work with chemicals

there's a chance of spills.

A work tray under your setup
will help contain them.

Always move carefully.

When handling chemicals.

Keep coin top stoppers
between your fingers,

not on the bench where they
can pick up contaminants.

Hold bottles with your hand over the label

and replace stoppers immediately.

Covering the label keeps
drips from blurring it

or getting on your hands.

Set bottles out of the
way when you're finished.

So they won't get knocked to the floor.

When handling chemicals
always keep them away

from your face, never taste
anything to see what it is

and don't touch it or smell it directly

from the bottle either.

Small amounts of some
chemicals even vapors

can harm your eyes, mouth
and nasal membranes.

There's a safe way to smell
a chemical indirectly.

If your teacher gives you permission,

hold it away from your
face and waft the vapors

to your nose.

That way you won't get a
strong whiff of them directly.

Certain chemicals give off vapors.

They're called volatile chemicals.

You should work with harmful volatiles

under a fume hood.

Your teacher will tell you
what these chemicals are.

Chemicals should be kept
pure and uncontaminated.

One way to prevent contamination

is to use only clean glassware.

Another way is to only pour
out of a reagent bottle.

Never pour anything back in,

even excess chemicals you haven't used.

It's better to waste the excess

than to risk contaminating
the entire bottle

with particles from around the lab.

After measuring out a reagent,

you'll often have something left over,

instead of pouring it
back in the reagent bottle

dispose of it in the
proper waste container.

When drawing out chemicals with a pipette

don't use your mouth,
use a bulb or pipette.

You can collect the exact amount you need

and never have to come in contact with it.

At some point in your laboratory work,

you'll probably spill something,

you should report spills immediately.

Stay away from the spilled chemical

and let your teacher clean it up.

To keep a large spill from spreading

it's barricaded with an
absorbent material such

as kitty litter.

It's then either mopped up or covered over

completely with the absorbent.

The absorbent and chemical
can be swept up with a broom.

What's done with the residue depends on

the type of chemical it contains.

A lab should have a container
for each type of waste.

Don't throw waste chemicals down the sink

unless your teacher says it's all right.

Waste paper that's not contaminated

by chemicals goes into
conventional trashcan.

And broken glassware goes
into a separate container.

The last chemical handling safety rule

to keep in mind is to
clean up when finished.

Glassware should be thoroughly
scrubbed and rinsed,

so it's as clean as possible
for the next experiment.

Liquid puddles or powders left behind

on the lab bench can get on
the next person's clothing

or skin, wipe them up thoroughly

and throw the paper towels
away in the proper container.

And clean chemicals off
your hands before leaving.

There may be invisible chemical residues

that could damage your skin

or contaminate your food
the next time you eat.

Work with small containers.

Mix chemicals only when
your teacher says to.

Read and reread chemical labels.

Read instructions all
the way through first.

Use a work tray if your lab has them.

Move carefully and deliberately
when handling chemicals.

Add concentrated sulfuric
or phosphoric acid to water.

Hold coin top stoppers between
your fingers while pouring.

Hold bottles with your
hand over the label.

Replace stoppers immediately.

Keep chemicals away from your face.

Work with harmful volatile
chemicals under a hood.

Keep chemicals as pure and
uncontaminated as possible.

Draw out chemicals with a
pipette filler, never by mouth.

Notify your teacher to clean up spills.

Put waste in the proper container.

Clean up when finished.

The main heat source
in most chemistry labs

is the Bunsen burner.

It produces an open gas flame
burning at a high temperature.

There's always the danger

of an accident if it's not used properly.

For example it should never be used

to heat volatile organic liquids

that give off flammable vapors.

These substances should be
heated in a heating mantle

or a steam bath in a hood.

But for most other
substances a Bunsen burner

is an ideal heat source
when used properly.

There are several types of Bunsen burners,

but they all have the same basic parts.

The gas comes from an
outlet on the lab bench.

A rubber hose fits over the tip

and over a similar fitting
on the Bunsen burner.

Most burners have a valve at the bottom

to control the flow of gas.

Air inlets control the amount
of oxygen in the flame.

A wing top can be placed on the burner

to spread the flame out.

There are several
important rules to follow

to use a Bunsen burner safely.

First check the gas hose for cracks.

If you see any, get a new hose.

Make sure the hose fits
securely on the gas valve

and on the Bunsen burner.

The gas valve at the bottom
of the burner should be open.

You can light a Bunsen burner
with a striker or a match.

Open the gas line valve
and light the burner.

If the flames properly adjusted,

you can place the burner under your setup.

When using a match
strike it away from you.

Turn the gas on after the match is burning

that way, gas won't escape
while you're striking the match.

Light the gas from the side
so the match isn't blown out.

A yellow flame is too cool.

Opening the air holes lets in
more oxygen for combustion.

Adjust the bottom valve if the
flame is too large or small.

The flame should be blue
with a lighter inner cone.

The tip of the inner cone is
the hottest part of the flame.

If the flame begins to sputter or flare,

turn the gas off immediately.

Also turn the gas off immediately
if the flame goes out.

Unburned gas escaping
into the room could ignite

and cause an explosion.

Even when the burner seems
to be working properly,

if you smell gas turn it off.

Cracks or stars and
glassware are dangerous.

They can break open when it's heated.

So before you heat any glassware

check it carefully for cracks or stars.

Flat bottomed containers
are normally heated

on a wire screen on a ring stand.

Erlenmeyer flask and other
narrow neck containers

should be secure to
the stand with a clamp.

Test tubes can be heated in a water bath.

The water bath transfers
heat slowly and evenly

to the test tube and helps
keep it from boiling over.

You can also heat a test
tube directly in the flame.

Hold it at an angle while
moving it back and forth

to distribute the heat evenly.

Aim it away from yourself
and your neighbors

in case it boils over.

Only heat containers with openings.

A boiling liquid changes to gas

which must be able to escape.

Gas can't escape from a closed container.

And the pressure that
builds up can burst it.

Be extra careful when
working with heated equipment

hold hot glassware and beaker tongs.

Never your hands.

Remember that the wire screen
and ring stand are also hot.

If you don't have tongs
protect your hands with gloves

designed for hot glassware.

Keep them away from the flame.

Handle everything as if it's hot

if you've been using a Bunsen burner.

Glass and metal look the same when hot

as they do when they're cold.

Heat volatile organics in a heating mantle

or steam bath in a hood,
not over a Bunsen burner.

Check the gas hose for cracks.

Make sure the hose fit
securely on the gas valve

and Bunsen fittings.

Stand back from the
burner while lighting it.

Strike matches away from you.

Turn on the gas after lighting the match.

Turn the gas off immediately

if the flame sputters flares or goes out

or if you smell gas.

Check glassware for stars or cracks.

Clamp narrow necked
containers to the ring stand.

Move test tubes back and
forth through the flame

at an angle while heating.

Don't heat closed containers.

Hold hot glassware and
beaker tongs or hot mitts.

Thermometers are one of
the most important tools

in the chemistry laboratory.

They're easy to use,

but since they're usually made of glass,

they have to be handled properly.

One common misconception
is that lab thermometer

have to be shaken down
like medical thermometers.

Shaking is totally unnecessary
and it can be dangerous.

The liquid inside can
move freely up and down

on its own without shaking.

Some lab reactions take
place at higher temperatures

than an alcohol or mercury
thermometer can stand.

The temperature of oxidation

in a Bunsen burner flame is
around 600 degrees Celsius.

That high a temperature will
vaporize the liquid inside.

The resulting pressure
will break the glass.

But most lab experiments are
conducted at temperatures

from 120 degrees Celsius
down to minus 20 degrees.

And for that range, either
a mercury thermometer

or an alcohol thermometer is suitable.

No matter which type you use
always treat it carefully.

When you're finished with it, set it down

where it will be safe.

Lay it away from the edge of
the bench on a wire screen

or towel so it can't roll off.

When a thermometer breaks the glass

in any liquid that spills out

must be cleaned up and
disposed of properly.

This is a job for your teacher.

Glass fragments can be swept up.

If any alcohol happens
to escape from the glass

it can be wiped up with a paper towel.

Cleaning up a broken mercury thermometer

is more difficult and also
a job for your teacher.

Mercury is poisonous and it
won't soak into a paper towel.

Mercury vapors also can
escape into the air.

If you work with mercury thermometer,

your lab may be equipped with

a mercury cleanup kit or sponge.

The kit and broken glass
should be disposed of

in the proper container.

Don't shake thermometers.

Use thermometers only
in the temperature range

they're suited for.

Lay thermometer down on a towel

or wire screen to cool away
from the edge of the bench.

Let your teacher clean
up broken thermometers.

The most common lab injuries are cuts

from broken glass,
especially glass tubing.

A typical accident comes
from using too much force

to push a tube through
the hole in the stopper.

One way to avoid this kind of accident

is to use an inserter.

First dip the Teflon tip
in a glass lubricant,

such as glycerin.

Then push it through the stopper,

remove the tip and slide the tubing

through the hollow inserter shaft.

Removing the shaft
leaves the tubing behind.

Make sure to wash the
lubricant off the tubing

and stopper before using them.

And replace the Teflon tip
so it doesn't get lost.

To remove the tubing take out the tip

and lubricate the end of the hollow shaft.

Push it through the stopper
hole around the tubing.

Then slide the tubing
out through the shaft

and remove the inserter.

Remember to wash the lubricant off

before returning the stopper
and tubing to storage.

And don't forget to replace the tip.

If you don't have an inserter,

lubricate the tubing instead
and protect your hands

with leather gloves,

push the tubing gently through,

rotate it if there's any resistance.

Use the same care when removing it.

And don't forget to
wash off the lubricant.

Use an inserter to place glass tubing

in a stopper or remove it.

Or lubricate the tubing
and protect your hands

with leather gloves.

A centrifuge spins mixtures
around in test tubes

to separate solids from liquids.

The solids move out toward
the bottom of the tubes

and the liquid stays on top.

When the test tubes inside
aren't evenly distributed

the centrifuge is unbalanced.

It vibrates like a washing
machine with an unbalanced load.

If the vibration is bad enough

it can fall off the bench top.

To prevent vibration, a
centrifuge must be balanced.

If you're only centrifusion one test tube

place another one opposite it
with an equal amount of water.

Once the centrifuge is
balanced you can turn it on.

When it's finished, turn it off

and wait till it stops
spinning on its own.

Never try to stop a
centrifuge with your hand.

Place equally filled test tubes

in a centrifuge to balance it.

Don't try to stop the
spinning with your hand.

A safe lab session starts
with proper clothes.

You must wear clothing and equipment

that will protect you
from chemicals and flames.

And at the same time,
stay out of your way.

For example, sleeves that are too loose

can drag through a chemical puddle

or knock things over.

The wrong material is also dangerous.

As this mannequin demonstrates.

Fuzzy sweaters or filmy fabrics
can easily catch on fire.

Synthetics such as polyester
melt when they burn

and stick to the skin.

The right kind of clothing

includes sleeves and shirts
that fit fairly close,

but aren't too tight to restrict movement

and fabrics made of sturdy cotton or wool

that won't melt and stick to your skin.

A lab apron keeps most
splashes off your clothes

but you should still wear
older clothes underneath

in case any chemicals
get passed the apron.

Legs are vulnerable to chemical splashes

and broken glass if you drop something.

So long pants or a long
skirt should be worn

to protect them.

Open shoes, can't protect
your feet from spills.

Closed leather shoes are much better.

And shoes made of cloth or woven material

can absorb spills and
hold harmful chemicals

against your skin.

Besides wearing the right clothes.

There are other
precautions you should take

to avoid accidents.

Tie up loose long hair.

It could knock something
over or even catch fire.

Remove rings and watches.

They can trap corrosive
chemicals against your skin

and the chemicals can damage your jewelry.

Your eyes are the easiest to hurt

and the most important to protect.

Don't wear contact lenses in lab.

They may trap chemical
vapors against your eyes.

If that happens,

your eyelids may go into spasms

that make it impossible
to remove the lenses

and wash out the chemical.

Always wear goggles with side shields

to completely protect your eyes

even if you're already wearing glasses.

And finally protect your hands,

never use bare hands
with concentrated acids,

bases or other reactive chemicals

such as concentrated hydrogen peroxide.

Your teacher will tell you

what type of gloves to wear
to work with these chemicals.

With the right clothes and
protective equipment you can work

with laboratory chemicals
with confidence and safety.

Don't wear extremely loose clothing.

Fabrics should be sturdy and natural.

Wear older clothes and
cover them with a lab apron.

Wear a long pants or a long
skirt to cover your legs.

Wear closed leather shoes
to protect your feet.

Tie up long hair.

Remove rings and watches.

Take out contact lenses.

Cover your eyes with
goggles with side shields.

Protect your hands with
the right kind of gloves.

A chemistry laboratory is full

of beakers and bottles holding chemicals.

Fooling around can have
disastrous consequences.

You could scar yourself
or others for life.

Even cause blindness.

So the most important
rule of all in the lab

is no fooling around.

Don't run, push or
wrestle, or even move fast.

Even if you're not fooling
around, accidents can happen.

- Wait a second.

- [Narrator] Personal belongings
in the middle of aisles

can trip someone.

Even a job as simple as reading a burette

can lead to an accident.

For greatest accuracy your eyes should be

on the same level as the
number you're reading.

If you can't read a burette accurately

lower it down to eye level.

If you can't do that,
stand on a step stool.

There are behavioral rules

to protect you against
less obvious hazards too.

Applying makeup may seem harmless enough,

but chemicals and vapors
and spills in the lab

can contaminate it.

Then when you apply it to your face

you put on the chemical too.

So keep makeup outside the lab.

Eating and drinking in the lab
can cause similar problems.

Chemicals can contaminate your
food or splash into a drink.

- Guys, I think it's time to go to class.

- Can't be.

- It is.

(indistinct chattering)

- [Narrator] Get rid
of them before you come

into the chemistry lab.

Don't fool around in lab.

Keep aisles clear of personal belongings.

Stand on a step stool
when you have to reach.

Keep makeup in your purse.

Keep food and drinks outside.

In spite of safety precautions

people sometimes get careless
and accidents happen.

That's why a well-equipped chemistry lab

has emergency equipment
to take care of them.

If you've cut yourself

wash the wound to remove
any chemical traces.

Make sure there are no
pieces of glass in the cut.

Dry your skin carefully
so a bandage will stick.

Let your teacher put
the bandage on the cut.

Notify your teacher whenever
you have an accident

and make sure to get
immediate medical attention

after any injury in the lab.

Chemical spills and splashes
are also common lab accidents.

- Ah.

- Are you okay?

- My eyes.

- Let's go wash 'em out.

- [Narrator] If a chemical hits your eyes

wash them immediately
in an eye wash fountain.

Hold your eyes open and roll them around

so the water can wash them thoroughly.

You shouldn't be wearing contacts

but if you are get them out

as soon as you've given your
eyes a good initial rinsing.

Continue washing for at least 15 minutes.

Then see a doctor immediately
to check your eyes for damage.

Non corrosive chemical
splashes on bare skin

should be rinsed off in the
lab sink with plenty of water.

Spills of corrosive materials
require a lot more water.

Don't wait till you feel
pain from the chemical.

Head for the safety shower immediately.

Rinse your body thoroughly
as fast as possible.

Take off all your clothes.

Don't let modesty make your injury worse.

Your teacher will clear the other students

out of the room.

Stay under the shower
for at least 15 minutes.

Fires are always a potential
hazard in chemistry lab

especially when organic
liquids are involved.

Small fires and containers can often

be put out by covering them.

Turn off the burner so
the fire won't reignite.

Larger fires require a fire extinguisher.

It should be operated by a
teacher, not by a student.

- Hey, fire!

- Now let's leave.

- [Narrator] If the fire
is too large to control

clear out of the building.

Call the fire department
when you're safely outside

and tell them what chemicals are involved.

Clothing fires can be put
out in a couple of ways

as the mannequin will demonstrate.

The best way is in the safety shower.

If the shower's not close
by the rule is stop,

drop and roll.

The victim's weight on the fire.

Put some of it out and a
fire blanket gets the rest.

Flame should be kept away
from the victim's face.

Anyone who's been burned

must get medical attention immediately.

Clean and dry the skin around a cut

before a bandage is applied.

Rinse chemicals from your
eyes in the eye wash fountain.

Rinse chemicals from your
hands and arms with water

in the sink.

Remove your clothes on the
way to the safety shower

to rinse large spills from your body.

Extinguish small fires and
containers by covering them.

Let your teacher use an extinguisher

to put out larger fires.

Put out clothing fires
in the safety shower.

If there's no other way
to put out a clothing fire

use a fire blanket carefully
to keep flames away

from the face and neck.

The accidents in this
program may look serious

and many of them are,

but don't let the potential for danger

scare you away from chemistry lab.

A safe well run chemistry lab

is an interesting and
rewarding learning experience.

If you pay attention, use common sense

and follow the safety rules

you've seen here the chemistry laboratory

can be safer than your own home.