Laboratory Safety Symbols

Introduction

There are many potential hazards associated with laboratory activities, which may be prevented by following an appropriate set of safety precautions. It is the duty of every science teacher to ensure the safety of every student in the laboratory and provide an environment free from potential hazards. Symbols provide a quick reference and reminder of precautions to take during a laboratory or classroom activity. Use these mini-posters to pictorially alert and reinforce the need for specific safety equipment and rules to follow and to identify hazards which might be encountered while participating in a laboratory activity.

Materials

Disposal

These mini-posters may be reused for each appropriate laboratory session and stored when not in use.

Procedure

1. Start the year, semester or quarter with a thorough explanation of the safety rules contract using these laboratory safety symbol mini-posters.
2. Use the Safety Symbol Identification Sheet to explain each symbol to the students.
3. Display appropriate poster(s) for the laboratory or classroom activity on a designated wall, board or other surface so they can easily be seen by the students. Students should consult the designated location to know what safety equipment will be required and what hazards are involved in the activity.
4. Spend a few minutes before each laboratory describing the possible hazards and appropriate precautions associated with the laboratory or classroom activity. Some posters may be used often and others may only be used occasionally.
5. Refer to the posters and use them as props for each safety discussion.
6. Refer to appropriate safety equipment and personal protection equipment required for the laboratory or classroom and its location.
7. Keep a record of the safety topic covered in your daily lesson plan.
8. During laboratory activities, hang the Laboratory in Progress poster on the laboratory door. Two adhesive-backed hook and loop pairs of Velcro^® dots are included to hang the poster.
9. Copy the Safety Symbol Master Sheet and cut and paste the appropriate symbol(s) onto student handouts to reinforce the use of safety equipment and precautions in the laboratory. The Safety Symbol Master Sheet may also be copied onto Avery Copier Labels, AVE5354, cut in half, and used as stickers on student handouts.

Student Worksheet PDF

12717_Teacher1.pdf

Teacher Tips

• Reproduce the Safety Symbol Identification Sheet and hand out to the students and have them put it in their binder.
• Use the posters to reinforce concepts and safety rules throughout the year.
• Apply magnetic tape to the back of the posters for use on dry erase boards or other objects with metallic surfaces.
• Use Velcro^® dots to mount the posters to the wall or other appropriate surface.
• Attach wire or string to the wall at ceiling level and hang the posters from it using clothespins or paperclips.
• Use tape, putty or tacks to attach posters to the wall, where allowed.
• Use tacks to display posters on a cork board.
• Use the posters as props to introduce the safety rules and contract at the beginning of each school year, semester or quarter.
• Always display the posters in the same location so students will routinely check for that day's safety precautions and hazards.