Laboratory Science Lab Safety and Equipment 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What class of fire extinguisher is appropriate for a chemical laboratory fire involving flammable liquids?
- Class A
- Class B (Correct answer)
- Class C
- Class D
Correct answer: Class B
Class B extinguishers are designed for flammable liquid fires, which are common in chemical laboratories.
Question 2: Which type of personal protective equipment (PPE) is required when handling concentrated acids?
- Latex gloves only
- Safety glasses only
- Chemical splash goggles and acid-resistant gloves (Correct answer)
- Face shield only
Correct answer: Chemical splash goggles and acid-resistant gloves
Concentrated acids require both chemical splash goggles and acid-resistant gloves to protect eyes and skin from severe burns.
Question 3: What is the correct procedure when a chemical spill occurs on the skin?
- Apply neutralizing agent immediately
- Flush with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes (Correct answer)
- Cover with a dry cloth and seek help
- Apply ice to the affected area
Correct answer: Flush with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes
Immediate and prolonged flushing with water for at least 15 minutes dilutes and removes the chemical, minimizing tissue damage.
Question 4: Which biosafety level (BSL) is required for working with agents that pose a moderate risk to personnel but low risk to the community?
- BSL-1
- BSL-2 (Correct answer)
- BSL-3
- BSL-4
Correct answer: BSL-2
BSL-2 is used for work with agents of moderate potential hazard to personnel and the environment, such as Hepatitis B virus.
Question 5: What is the purpose of a fume hood in a laboratory?
- To store chemicals safely
- To protect samples from contamination
- To contain and exhaust hazardous vapors away from lab personnel (Correct answer)
- To maintain sterile conditions
Correct answer: To contain and exhaust hazardous vapors away from lab personnel
Fume hoods use exhaust ventilation to capture and remove hazardous chemical vapors, protecting laboratory workers from inhalation exposure.
Question 6: According to OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard, what must be on every chemical container in the lab?
- Purchase date and cost
- GHS-compliant label with hazard information (Correct answer)
- Technician's initials
- Storage temperature only
Correct answer: GHS-compliant label with hazard information
OSHA's HazCom Standard requires GHS-compliant labels that include product identifier, signal word, hazard pictograms, and precautionary statements.
Laboratory Science Lab Safety and Equipment 1
What class of fire extinguisher is appropriate for a chemical laboratory fire involving flammable liquids?