Science Safety Activity Sample Answers

Grade 7 Lab Safety Activity                        Name ______________

The drawing you received depicts unsafe procedures in the school laboratory. Answer the following questions based on this illustration and the safety guidelines listed in your textbook on pages xviii to xx.

1.       List 6 unsafe activities shown in the laboratory drawing

a.       Fire extinguisher is blocked by the chair

b.      Girl is smelling fumes directly from the test tube

c.       There is a broken test tube and other objects on the floor

d.      There is food on the table

e.      There is spilled liquid on the floor

f.        There is a lot of mess in the lab
g.   There is an alcohol spill near open flame
h.   No one is wearing safety glasses

2.       Explain why each activity is unsafe

a.       In case of fire, you would not be able to access the fire extinguisher quickly

b.      The fumes may be harmful to her nose, or worse-she should be wafting the fumes toward her

c.       The students may be cut by the broken glass and possibly trip over other objects

d.      Food may become contaminated with poison or bacteria which would harm the student when the food is ingested

e.      Someone can slip and fall if not cleaned up immediately

f.        Equipment can be damaged and books on table can be damaged

g.   Alcohol is flammable and may cause a fire

h.   Students can damage their eyes

3.       Name 3 safety guidelines from your textbook that are not illustrated in the drawing

a.       Handle sharp objects carefully

b.      Treat all living things with respect

c.       Report safety concerns to teacher

4.       Read each statement and print T for true and F for false on the line provided

__F_____           The biology laboratory is a good setting for practical jokes

__F_____           The teacher is responsible for lab clean-up

__T_____           Spilled chemicals should be wiped up immediately

__F_____           It’s unnecessary to report minor laboratory accidents

__F_____           Performing experiments not assigned by a teacher is good creative procedure

__T_____           No chemicals or other materials should ever be tasted

__F_____           Be sure to smell materials directly from the beaker

__F_____           Only the teacher needs to know the location of the first aid kit

__F_____           Always throw broken glass into the garbage can once cleaned up

__F_____           Lab materials are inexpensive so do not be concerned if they break       

5.       What procedure would you follow in each of these situations

a)      Clothing on fire

Use the body wash station and someone inform the teacher

b)      Hot water spill on hand

Use the body wash to run cold water over burn, inform the teacher

c)       Particle in your eye

Use the eye wash station to rinse eyes for 15 minutes, inform the teacher

d)      Cut from broken glass

Inform the teacher, wash with soap and water, teacher provides a bandage

e)      Group member not following safety procedures

Inform the teacher immediately 

f)       Beaker accidentally breaks on the floor

Inform the teacher and he/she will clean up the glass, be sure no students go near glass

g)      Your group is not sure of how to do an experiment

       Ask the teacher for help