The Lab Safety Quiz Challenge
Laboratory safety is critical to protecting workers, students, and researchers from hazards and accidents. Knowing and following basic safety rules not only ensures a safe work environment, but also minimizes damage to equipment, materials, and people.
This quiz is designed to test your knowledge of best practices and safety procedures in laboratory environments. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, this exercise will help you identify areas that need reinforcement and provide you with the opportunity to improve your preventive skills.
1 What should you do if a chemical splashes into your eye?
- Rinse your eye at the eyewash station for at least 15 minutes
- Rub your eye vigorously to remove the chemical
- Wait to see if the irritation goes away on its own
- Apply a bandage over the eye immediately
Correct!Wrong!2 Which of the following is NOT appropriate lab attire?
- Closed-toe shoes
- Long pants
- Dangling jewelry
- Safety goggles
Correct!Wrong!3 Before leaving the lab, you should always:
- Turn off all equipment and clean your workspace
- Leave equipment running for the next group
- Dispose of chemicals down the sink without checking
- Remove labels from chemical containers
Correct!Wrong!4 Eating and drinking in the laboratory is:
- Allowed if you are careful
- Strictly prohibited
- Permitted during breaks
- Only acceptable when working with non-hazardous materials
Correct!Wrong!5 When should you consult the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for a chemical?
- Only if an accident occurs
- Before working with the chemical
- After completing the experiment
- It's not necessary if you know the chemical
Correct!Wrong!6 If you break a piece of glassware, you should:
- Pick it up with your hands immediately
- Notify the instructor and follow proper cleanup procedures
- Sweep it under the bench to deal with later
- Ignore it if it's a small piece
Correct!Wrong!7 The proper way to smell a chemical substance is to:
- Inhale directly over the container
- Waft the vapors toward your nose with your hand
- Do not smell it at all
- Use a fan to blow the vapors toward you
Correct!Wrong!8 Which of the following statements about lab safety equipment is true?
- Safety showers are only for chemical spills on the floor
- Fire extinguishers are used on all types of fires
- You should know the location of all safety equipment
- Eyewash stations are used for washing hands
Correct!Wrong!9 Horseplay or practical jokes in the laboratory are:
- Acceptable if no one gets hurt
- Encouraged to lighten the mood
- Dangerous and prohibited
- Allowed during free time
Correct!Wrong!10 In case of a small fire in a beaker, you should:
- Pour water into the beaker
- Smother it with a watch glass or lid
- Use a fire extinguisher
- Ignore it—it will go out on its own
Correct!Wrong!11 When diluting acids, you should always:
- Add water to acid
- Add acid to water
- Mix both simultaneously
- It doesn't matter which is added to which
Correct!Wrong!12 If you are unsure about any part of an experiment, you should:
- Proceed with caution
- Skip that part of the experiment
- Skip that part of the experiment
- Guess based on previous knowledge
- Ask the instructor for clarification
Correct!Wrong!13 Lab chemicals should be disposed of:
- Down the sink drain
- According to instructor's guidelines
- In the regular trash
- By pouring them back into the original container
Correct!Wrong!14 Protective gloves should be worn when:
- Handling hot equipment
- Working with hazardous chemicals
- Cleaning up spills
- All of the these
Correct!Wrong!15 If you notice an unsafe condition in the lab, you should:
- Ignore it—it’s not your responsibility
- Try to fix it yourself without telling anyone
- Report it to the instructor immediately
- Wait until after the lab to mention it
Correct!Wrong!16 The best way to prevent accidents in the lab is to:
- Work quickly without paying attention
- Follow all safety rules and procedures
- Rely on others to keep you safe
- Avoid asking questions
Correct!Wrong!17 Flammable materials should be kept away from:
- Water sources
- Direct sunlight
- Open flames and heat sources
- Electrical outlets
Correct!Wrong!18 When heating a test tube, you should:
- Point it toward yourself
- Point it toward others
- Point it away from yourself and others
- Seal it with a stopper
Correct!Wrong!19 To protect your eyes from possible chemical splashes, you should wear:
- Prescription glasses
- Safety goggles
- Contact lenses
- No protection is necessary
Correct!Wrong!20 Before starting an experiment, you should first:
- Begin mixing chemicals immediately
- Read all instructions thoroughly
- Guess the procedure based on the title
- Wait for others to start first
Correct!Wrong!
