Undergraduate Organic Chemistry Laboratory Safety

Abstract

Each organic chemistry student should become familiar with the educational and governmental laboratory safety requirements.One method for teaching laboratory safety is to assign each student to locate safety resources for a specific class laboratory experiment.The student should obtain toxicity and hazardous information for all chemicals used or produced during the assigned experiment. For example, what is the LD 50 or LC 50 for each chemical? Are there any specific hazard for these chemicals, such as an eye irritant, skin irritant or sensitizer, carcinogen, mutagen, teratogen, neurotoxin, chronic toxin, corrosive, flammable, or explosive agent?The school's "Chemical Hygiene Plan", "Prudent Practices for Handling Hazardous Chemicals in the Laboratory" (National Academy Press), and "Laboratory Standards, Part 1910-Occupational Safety and Health Standards" (Fed. Register 1/31/90, 55, 3227-3335) should be reviewed for laboratory safety requirements for the assigned experiment. For example, what are the procedures for safe handling of vacuum systems, if a vacuum distillation is used in the assigned experiment?The literature survey must be submitted to the laboratory instructor one week prior to the laboratory session for review and approval.The student should then give a short presentation to the class on the chemicals' toxicity and hazards and describe the safety precautions that must be followed.This procedure gives the student first-hand knowledge on how to find and evaluate information to meet laboratory safety requirements.

Developing and Demonstrating an Augmented Reality Colorimetric Titration Tool

“…Nevertheless, positively influencing the culture of safety remains the key in ensuring adherence to safety guidelines and rules. The introduction of safety aspects of chemical handling in the experimental procedure itself offers a way to inculcate this culture …”

Using Simulation of Apparatus Set-up to Improve Safety

“…There is increased focus on improving both safety and learning outcomes from laboratory experiences. Methods intended to improve lab safety tend to focus on providing more information on safe practices and concerns such as having each student become familiar with the educational and governmental laboratory safety, or assigning each student to locate safety resources for a specific class laboratory experiment, or having students present on safety aspects of a lab [5,6]. Approaches to improving learning from laboratory exercises include use of inquiry based and project based laboratory exercises [7,8].…”