Lesson 4: Lab Safety

Why is lab safety important in science?

What are the most common hazards in a science lab, and how can they be prevented?

What personal protective equipment (PPE) should be used for different lab activities?

How do safety procedures protect both the individual and others in the lab?

What should you do in case of a lab accident or emergency?

Lab safety

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Hazard symbols

Emergency procedures

Chemical, biological, and physical hazards

Safety protocols

• HS-PS1-3 – Follow safety procedures in experimental investigations.
• HS-PS3-1 / HS-ESS2-5 – Apply safe practices during data collection and experiments.

Students will practice identifying hazards and choosing proper safety procedures, building analytical skills used in standardized science questions.

Students will apply critical thinking to determine safe practices in hypothetical and real-world lab scenarios.

NGSS Crosscutting Concepts

Cause and Effect

Systems and System Models

Stability and Change

Students will learn key lab safety rules and procedures, including proper handling of chemicals and equipment, understanding hazard symbols, and using personal protective equipment. The lesson emphasizes the importance of creating a safe laboratory environment and preventing accidents.

Students will practice safety protocols through demonstrations and hands-on exercises, such as identifying hazards in a sample lab setup or demonstrating correct PPE use. This builds foundational skills for all future scientific investigations.

Lab safety is critical in every scientific career and everyday activities that involve chemicals, tools, or experiments. Understanding and practicing safety protects students, their classmates, and the wider community. These skills are also relevant in medicine, engineering, food science, environmental monitoring, and many other fields.

Students may think minor rules are optional if “nothing seems dangerous.”

Students may misunderstand hazard symbols or the purpose of PPE.

Students may think safety procedures slow down experiments rather than protect them.

Tiered instruction with visual demonstrations and written handouts

Safety walkthroughs with peer partners or small groups

Use of charts and posters to reinforce rules

Scenario-based practice for responding to accidents or unsafe practices

• Observation during lab activities for proper PPE and adherence to rules

• Short quizzes on hazard symbols, safety procedures, and emergency protocols

• Scenario-based exercises asking students to identify and correct unsafe practices

• Participation in discussion and group activities

• Lab safety slides and handouts

• Safety goggles, gloves, lab coats, and aprons

• Hazard symbol charts and safety posters

• Sample lab setups for demonstration

• Emergency procedure guides and first aid kit