Lab Safety

In many laboratories hazards are present. Poisons, flammable, explosive, or radioactive materials, and high voltage — all this can lead to trouble. In laboratories where dangerous conditions might exist, safety precautions are important. In the United States, there is a special laboratory standard that requires laboratories to create a Chemical Hygiene Plan which describes an approach to avoidance specific hazards in the lab.

Rules in the lab exist to minimize individual risk and protect lab users. So you are excepted to learn and follow the basic rules of the laboratory, in order not to hurt yourself and the person near you.

1. Safety goggles must be worn at all times while in the laboratory.

2. Contact lenses are not allowed

3. Closed-toe shoes and long pants must be worn in the lab.

4. Long hair must be tied back

5. Eating, drinking, and smoking are strictly prohibited in the lab.

6. No authorized experiments are to be performed.

7. Never taste anything. Take a sample of vapor enough to detect an odor.

8. No coats in the lab.

9. Always wash your hands before leaving the lab.

10. Notify the instructor immediately in case of an accident.

From chemical science to the lab

Paul studied mathematics, physics, and chemistry at a certain level, and then went on to complete a bachelor's degree in chemistry with physics at Plymouth Polytechnic. After graduation, he moved to the University of Leeds to continue his research with a doctorate in Physical Chemistry. His first job was as a post-graduate student, also at Leeds. Then he was offered the position of head of the analytical laboratory. Finally, he moved on to his current role as a separationist scientist at the LGC. LGC conducts chemical, biochemical, and forensic analysis, DNA testing, and genetic screening. The work involves the development of various analyses or methods for the separation and extraction of the compound of interest. Paul likes to work in a relaxed, friendly environment. The job is complex, and it's very useful when it can solve some pretty complex problems. While LGC does recruit some people with A-level, all employees at the management level have a research degree. Having a degree is an important advantage and allows you to move up the career ladder faster because you already have a lot of practical knowledge and are ready to apply it.

What is chemistry? Chemistry disciplines

Chemistry studies the characteristics of matter and its manipulation. Chemists create a new matter, trying to find new sources of energy and application to renewable matter, are working on minimization of waste. The science of chemistry is of prime importance to nanotechnology, biotechnology, drug discovery, the environment, energy, biology, and medicine, thus there is a need for broadly educated chemists. The work of chemists is all about you. Household chemicals, clothing, fiber, and other materials — all this is due to chemists.

Chemistry is divided into many sections. Today, there are more than thirty branches (disciplines) of chemistry. I will tell you about the most important of them right now.

General chemistry studies the structure of matter and the reaction between matter and energy. Physical chemistry covers the structures, properties, and behavior of substances, and includes the basic laws of chemistry. Inorganic chemistry considers the groups of elements in the periodic table, their properties, applications, and compounds. Organic chemistry covers compounds with a carbon chain, studies their structure and the various groups they fall into. Analytical chemistry is a branch of chemistry that studies the properties of materials or develops tools for analyzing materials. Biochemistry is a branch of chemistry that deals with the chemical reactions that occur within living organisms. Electrochemistry is a branch of chemistry that involves the study of chemical reactions in a solution at the interface between an ionic conductor and an electrical conductor. Kinetics studies the rate of chemical reactions and the factors that affect the rate of chemical processes. Nanochemistry is concerned with the assembly and properties of nanoscale assemblies of atoms or molecules.

All these areas are interconnected and are of great importance for modern science.