Science, Tech, Math › Science Chemistry Laboratory Safety Quiz Are You an Accident Waiting To Happen? Take this fun quiz to learn how to be safe in a chemistry lab. Kris Hanke / Getty Images Science Chemistry Basics Chemical Laws Molecules Periodic Table Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on July 03, 2019 1. You should pipette by mouth: Always. It's a fast and efficient method of measuring liquids. Only when you can't find a pipette bulb or think it might be dirty. Only when you are sure your instructor, lab assistant, or co-worker isn't looking. Never. And if you thought about answering yes to another choice, go sit in the corner. 2. When you are finished using a bunsen burner you should: Leave it on for the next person to use. It's the only considerate choice. Cover the burner with an inverted beaker to suffocate the flame. Pull off the hose connecting the burner to the gas. The burner won't have gas, so it won't be on fire. Turn off the gas. Duh! 3. If you feel dizzy or sick while working near the fume hood you should: Head out to grab a cola or a snack. Maybe it's low blood sugar. Don't tell anyone. Meh, no big deal. Fume hoods always protect you from harmful chemicals. Report your symptoms to whoever is responsible for that fume hood. Maybe you were exposed to something. 4. If you catch on fire you should: Panic. Yell FIRE at the top of your lungs. Run as quickly as possible to blow out the flame. Water fixes everything. Head for the nearest safety shower and drown the flame. Pull the fire alarm and look for help. Hope the fire doesn't burn you too badly before it arrives. Smother the flame. Those blankets in the lab are there for a reason. 5. Your glassware is clean, so you poured a beaker of water to quench your thirst. Too bad you didn't label it. You should: Go on with your business. Are you saying there is some safety issue here? I scoff at you! Just be careful about keeping it separate from other beakers filled with clear liquid.. Label it before you forget which beaker it is. You're sure nothing could accidentally splash into your drink. Look back to an earlier answer about how you should sit in the corner. Food and drinks don't belong in the lab. 6. You really want to impress a certain person in your lab. You should: Be sure to wear contacts, not glasses, and let your long hair free. Ditch the lab coat and goggles. Dress to impress. Hey.. lab coats are cool! Only ditch the goggles. Impress him or her with how incredibly competent you are in the lab. 7. You wonder what would happen if you mixed chemicals or tried a new procedure. You should: Stomp that curiosity down. Chemists only do what they are told. Run with it. Mix and match chemicals. What's the worst that could happen? Only change one thing at a time. That will be safe, right? Be applauded for your curiosity and quest for innovation, but be very careful changing procedures. 8. There is a container on the lab bench containing some unknown chemical. You should: Dump it, wash the glassware. Some people are slobs. Move it out of the way in case it is dangerous. Otherwise, not your problem. Leave it. The rightful owner will claim it eventually. Tell your lab supervisor. 9. If you break a mercury thermometer, or otherwise spill mercury, you should: Leave it for others to find. Accidents happen. No big deal. Grab some paper towels, clean it up, and throw it away. Problem solved. Clean it up, throw away the mercury-contaminated items where heavy metals go. Don't tell anyone. Leave it alone, but call your instructor to deal with the spill. Report it. 10. You see someone engaged in an unsafe lab practice. You should: Point and laugh. They will clue in and change their behavior from the humiliation. Point and laugh and tell the person why the lab practice is unsafe. Ignore them. Not your problem. Politely point out the possible danger and how to avoid it. Or, tell the instructor. Chemistry Laboratory Safety Quiz You got: % Correct. Lab Accident Waiting To Happen Unsafe lab practices can have disastrous results.. BSIP/UIG / Getty Images I have to believe you purposely tried to fail the quiz, since the right answer was always the last one. So, this means you're likely brilliant and actually know safe lab practices. Whether you follow them is a different story. What can happen if you don't follow lab safety rules? Take a look at the most common types of lab accidents. Ready for another quiz? Let's see if you know as much science as a 9th grade student. Share Your Results Chemistry Laboratory Safety Quiz You got: % Correct. Not So Safe in the Chemistry Lab Don't do it. Unsafe lab practices put everyone at risk.. Casarsa / Getty Images Since the answer was always the last one, you didn't exactly pass this quiz. Maybe you should review the 10 most important lab safety rules. Ready for another quiz? Let's see if you can tell real and fake elements apart. Share Your Results Chemistry Laboratory Safety Quiz You got: % Correct. Paragon of Lab Safety The best science is safe, conscientious, meticulous science.. Ugurhan Betin / Getty Images You're up to speed on lab safety. Next, let's see if you can identify the types of glassware found in a chemistry lab. Curious about what can happen when things go wrong in a chemistry lab? Here's a collection of lab accident stories submitted by other readers. Share Your Results