B. Sc Chemistry III & IV Semester NEP 2020 w.e.f June 2025
SEC00022764P
CHE/SEC/P/276
Lab Safety and Laboratory Practices
(Practical Paper)
Recognition of Safety Symbols
Aim:
To study and recognize different laboratory safety symbols used for handling chemicals safely.
Principle:
Safety symbols are standardized pictograms used in laboratories to indicate the type of hazard associated with chemicals. These symbols help in identifying risks such as toxicity, flammability, corrosiveness, and environmental hazards, ensuring safe handling, storage, and disposal of chemicals.
Apparatus/Materials Required:
Charts or posters of safety symbols
Chemical containers with labels
Laboratory manual
Marker/pen for observation
Common Safety Symbols and Their Meaning:
-
Flammable
Indicates substances that can easily catch fire (e.g., alcohol, acetone). -
Corrosive
Can cause burns to skin and damage metals (e.g., acids like HCl). -
Toxic/Poison
Harmful or fatal if inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed. -
Explosive
Substances that may explode under heat or pressure. -
Oxidizing Agent
Enhances combustion (e.g., potassium permanganate). -
Irritant/Harmful
Causes irritation to skin, eyes, or respiratory system. -
Compressed Gas
Gas stored under pressure (e.g., oxygen cylinders). -
Environmental Hazard
Dangerous to aquatic life and environment.
Procedure:
-
Observe different safety symbols displayed on charts or chemical containers.
-
Identify each symbol carefully.
-
Note down the name and meaning of each symbol.
-
Correlate symbols with the type of chemicals used in the laboratory.
-
Record observations in the notebook.
Observations:
| Sr. No. | Symbol Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Flammable | Easily catches fire |
| 2 | Corrosive | Causes burns |
| 3 | Toxic | Poisonous substance |
| 4 | Explosive | May explode |
| 5 | Irritant | Causes irritation |
| 6 | Oxidizing | Supports burning |
| 7 | Gas under pressure | Stored under pressure |
| 8 | Environmental hazard | Harmful to environment |
Result:
Various laboratory safety symbols were studied and identified successfully along with their meanings.
