Lab Safety Worksheet Worksheet - Free Printable

Let’s go panel by panel and answer each question carefully, using what we know about lab safety rules.

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Panel 1 (Questions 1–3)

In this panel:
- A girl has long hair near a Bunsen burner — that’s dangerous because it could catch fire.
- A boy is drinking from a beaker — never drink anything in the lab!
- Another student is holding a test tube with his hand while heating it — should use a test tube holder.
- One student is not wearing goggles — always wear eye protection.

Question 1: List 2 unsafe activities and how to fix them.

a. The girl with long hair didn’t tie it back → She should tie her hair up or wear a hairnet so it doesn’t catch fire.

b. The boy is drinking from a lab container → He should never eat or drink in the lab. All containers are for chemicals only.

Question 2: How should Rick correct his technique?

Rick is holding a test tube directly with his hand while heating it. He should use a test tube holder to avoid burning his fingers.

Question 3: Are these students behaving appropriately? If not, what should they be doing differently?

No, they’re not. They should:
- Wear safety goggles at all times.
- Tie back long hair.
- Never taste or drink any substance in the lab.
- Use proper tools like test tube holders when heating things.

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Panel 2 (Questions 4–5)

Evelyn is smelling a chemical by wafting — she gently waves her hand over the container to bring the smell toward her nose. That’s safe.

Kwan is putting his nose right over the container and sniffing hard — that’s dangerous because he might breathe in harmful fumes.

Question 4: Compare Evelyn’s technique with Kwan’s technique.

Evelyn uses the “wafting” method — safe way to smell chemicals.
Kwan sniffs directly — unsafe, can inhale too much vapor.

Question 5: Whose technique is the correct one? Why?

Evelyn’s is correct. Wafting lets you smell without risking inhaling dangerous fumes. It protects your lungs and nose.

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Panel 3 (Questions 6–8)

This panel shows kids messing around in the lab:
- One kid is running.
- Another is eating a sandwich.
- Someone spilled something and no one cleaned it.
- There’s food on the table.
- Kids are playing with equipment instead of working safely.

Question 6: List two things that should NOT be in the lab.

a. Food (like the sandwich and soda) — labs are for science, not eating.

b. Toys or non-lab items (like the ball or game stuff) — distractions cause accidents.

Question 7: What unsafe activity is shown in this picture?

Running in the lab — you can trip, spill chemicals, or break glassware. Also, eating in the lab — could swallow something toxic.

Question 8: What will happen to the students who are doing the unsafe activity?

They could get hurt — like slipping on spills, getting burned, or poisoning themselves if they eat something contaminated. They might also damage equipment or cause fires.

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Panel 4 (Questions 9–11)

Penny is sweeping broken glass with her bare hands — bad idea! Glass can cut you.

Jarvis is picking up broken glass with his hands — also very dangerous.

Lydia is using tongs to pick up broken glass — that’s smart and safe.

There’s also a trash can labeled “GLASS” — broken glass goes there, not regular trash.

Question 9: Describe Jarvis’ error.

Jarvis is trying to pick up broken glass with his bare hands. He could get cut badly. He should use a brush and dustpan or tongs.

Question 10: Who in this scenario is performing a correct procedure? What is the correct procedure?

Lydia is doing it right. She’s using tongs to handle broken glass. The correct procedure is to never touch broken glass with your hands — use tools like tongs, brushes, or wear thick gloves.

Question 11: What is Penny doing wrong?

Penny is sweeping broken glass with a broom but not using a dustpan — some pieces might fly or stay behind. Also, she’s not wearing gloves or using proper cleanup tools. Broken glass needs special handling.

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Panel 5 (Questions 12–13)

Ernie is throwing a glove in the air and laughing — that’s silly and unsafe. Gloves might have chemicals on them.

Lydia is cleaning her workspace and putting away materials properly — good job!

Question 12: What is wrong with Ernie’s behavior?

He’s playing around with lab gear (gloves). Gloves may be contaminated with chemicals — tossing them around spreads germs or toxins. Also, horseplay causes accidents.

Question 13: Why is Lydia’s behavior appropriate? Why is it important in a laboratory setting?

Lydia is cleaning up after herself. This keeps the lab safe for everyone. Clean spaces prevent slips, spills, mix-ups, and contamination. It’s part of being responsible in science.

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Final Answer:

1.
a. Long hair not tied back → Tie it up.
b. Drinking from lab container → Never eat/drink in lab.

2. Use a test tube holder instead of bare hands.

3. No — they should wear goggles, tie hair, not taste substances, and use proper tools.

4. Evelyn wafts (safe); Kwan sniffs directly (unsafe).

5. Evelyn — wafting prevents inhaling harmful fumes.

6.
a. Food (sandwich/soda)
b. Toys/games

7. Running and eating in the lab.

8. They could get injured, poisoned, or cause accidents.

9. Picking up broken glass with bare hands — risk of cuts.

10. Lydia — using tongs to handle broken glass; correct procedure is to never touch broken glass with hands.

11. Sweeping broken glass without proper tools (no dustpan/gloves).

12. Playing with contaminated gloves — spreads chemicals and causes distraction.

13. Cleaning up prevents accidents and contamination — essential for safety in labs.