MAP Safety and Compliance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a science lab, a student spills an unknown liquid on the counter. What should the student do first?
- Wipe it up with a paper towel
- Tell the teacher immediately (Correct answer)
- Smell it to identify it
- Rinse it down the sink
Correct answer: Tell the teacher immediately
Unknown spills may be hazardous, so the teacher must be notified before anyone touches them.
Question 2: Which piece of equipment should be worn whenever heating substances or working with chemicals in a lab?
- Safety goggles (Correct answer)
- Rubber boots
- A dust mask
- Ear plugs
Correct answer: Safety goggles
Safety goggles protect the eyes from splashes, which are the most common lab injury risk.
Question 3: When heating a liquid in a test tube, which way should the open end be pointed?
- Toward yourself so you can watch
- Toward your lab partner
- Away from yourself and others (Correct answer)
- Straight down at the table
Correct answer: Away from yourself and others
Pointing the opening away from people prevents injury if the liquid boils over or sprays.
Question 4: A student gets a chemical splashed in their eyes. What is the correct immediate response?
- Rub the eyes until they stop stinging
- Flush the eyes at the eyewash station for at least 15 minutes (Correct answer)
- Cover the eyes with a bandage
- Wait to see if irritation goes away
Correct answer: Flush the eyes at the eyewash station for at least 15 minutes
Continuous flushing for about 15 minutes dilutes and removes the chemical.
Question 5: Why should long hair be tied back during a lab that uses a Bunsen burner?
- To keep the workspace neat
- So the teacher can see faces
- To prevent hair from catching fire (Correct answer)
- To keep hair out of the data table
Correct answer: To prevent hair from catching fire
Loose hair can easily contact an open flame and ignite.
Question 6: What is the safest way to smell a substance in a lab when instructed to do so?
- Hold it directly under your nose and inhale
- Waft the vapors toward your nose with your hand (Correct answer)
- Taste a small amount instead
- Pour some on your hand first
Correct answer: Waft the vapors toward your nose with your hand
Wafting limits the amount of vapor inhaled and reduces exposure.
Question 7: A glass beaker breaks on the lab floor. What should a student do?
- Pick up the pieces with bare hands
- Kick the pieces under the table
- Notify the teacher and use a broom and dustpan for disposal in a broken-glass container (Correct answer)
- Throw the pieces in the regular trash can
Correct answer: Notify the teacher and use a broom and dustpan for disposal in a broken-glass container
Broken glass should be swept up with tools and placed in a designated container to prevent cuts.
MAP Safety and Compliance 2
During a science lab, a student spills an unknown liquid on the counter.
What should the student do first?