NC State University

Department of Chemistry

Safety Quiz

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1. The person ultimately responsible for your safety in the laboratory is:
[] (a) the principal investigator
[] (b) yourself
[] (c) the safety committee
[] (d) others in the lab
[] (e) environmental health and safety

2. When disposing of chemicals, it is appropriate to:
[] (a) pour them down the drain
[] (b) separate the waste according to class
[] (c) wait until large quantities have accumulated
[] (d) pour all the waste into a common container
[] (e) all of the above

3. Which of the following is considered inappropriate laboratory attire:
[] (a) shorts
[] (b) lab aprons
[] (c) safety glasses
[] (d) both (a) and (b)
[] (e) all are appropriate

4. Before using gloves for protection, one should check them for:
[] (a) cracks or holes
[] (b) proper fit
[] (c) appropriateness for the task that one is to perform
[] (d) compatibility with the chemical that is to be used
[] (e) all of the above

5. The EPA classifies waste by their reaction characteristics. Common acids and bases would fall under which of the following classifications:
[] (a) ignitable
[] (b) reactive
[] (c) corrosive
[] (d) toxic
[] (e) all of the above

6. When working with a system under reduced pressure:
[] (a) a small crack on a round bottom flask should not be of any concern
[] (b) always examine all glassware before setting up to make sure that they are free of defects
[] (c) use a shield to provide extra protection
[] (d) if the vacuum is lower than 0.1 mm Hg, a small crack on a round bottom flask should not be of any concern
[] (e) b and c

7. When using flammable solvents
[] (a) it is Ok to use an open flame in the vicinity as long as you are very careful
[] (b) never use burners and other ignition sources in the vicinity
[] (c) never use burners, but electric heaters are not going to ignite a fire
[] (d) be very careful, but use whatever heater is available at that time
[] (e) (b) and (c)

8. In doing an extraction using a separatory funnel
[] (a) pressure may build up inside the funnel
[] (b) do not vent the separatory funnel near a flame
[] (c) do not attempt to extract a solution until it is cooler than the boiling point of the extractant
[] (d) (a) and (b)
[] (e) all of the above

9. When distilling a flammable liquid at atmospheric pressure
[] (a) always use boiling stones
[] (b) boiling stones can be added at or near the boiling point
[] (c) it is Ok to distill something to dryness that might have only residual epoxides
[] (d) it is Ok to use an open flame as the heat source as long as you are very careful
[] (e) (a) and (d)

10. When inserting a glass tube or rod into a stopper
[] (a) lubricate the glass
[] (b) never use twisting motions
[] (c) hold the glass not more than two inches from the end to be inserted
[] (d) (a) and (c)
[] (e) all of the above

11. A fume hood is to be used
[] (a) for conducting reactions that may result in an explosion
[] (b) for disposal of toxic liquids and gases
[] (c) to control exposure to toxic liquids and gases
[] (d) with the sash in a maximally open position to allow the greatest air flow
[] (e) in well-ventilated laboratories

12. A list of potential hazards associated with a mercury arc lamp is given below.

  1. exposed skin can receive painful burns from invisible radiation
  2. aged lamps can explode
  3. they generate nitrous oxide
  4. the lamp housing gets hot
  5. they generate ozone
  6. they slowly release dimethyl mercury
Select the hazards that are legitimate
[] (a) all of the above
[] (b) 1, 2, 4, and 5
[] (c) 1, 3, 4, and 6
[] (d) 1, 2, 4, and 6
[] (e) 1, 2, 3, and 4

13. Which are appropriate rules for the use of compressed gas cylinders?
[] (a) Always lubricate the valve of the cylinder before threading the regulator.
[] (b) Empty gas cylinders completely, and cap them before returning them to the gas plant.
[] (c) When moving cylinders, strap them to properly designed carts to ensure stability.
[] (d) Never use cylinders if their contents cannot be identified positively.
[] (e) (c) and (d)

14. Whis is an appropriate procedure for starting a centrifuge?
[] (a) Close the lid and wait until the centrifuge reaches full operating speed.
[] (b) Start the centrifuge and watch the rotor to make sure it is balanced.
[] (c) Start the centrifuge and wait for at least five minutes to make sure it is balanced.
[] (d) Close the lid and leave the area as a precaution.
[] (e) Run the centrifuge first without the rotor to make sure it is properly anchored.

15. Lasers are classified according to their potential hazards. The significance of the classification is:
[] (a) Class I means the laser is completely safe; Class IV means it can burn your skin.
[] (b) Class I lasers can be used by anyone; Class IV lasers require a license.
[] (c) Class I lasers are visible; Class IV lasers are invisible.
[] (d) Class I lasers are not capable of blinding a person; Class IV lasers can blind a person instantly.
[] (e) All of the above.

16. Select which of the following is a common way for hazardous chemicals to enter the body.
[] (a) injection
[] (b) ingestion
[] (c) inhalation
[] (d) absorption (e.g. through skin or eyes)
[] (e) all of the above

17. Which of the following toxic effect best describes materials that tend to build up in the body as a result of numerous exposures.
[] (a) acute poisoning
[] (b) chronic poisoning
[] (c) cumulative poisoning
[] (d) substances in combination
[] (e) all of the above

18. Which of the following toxic effects is best described by materials that tend to cause an immediate and sometimes severe physiological reaction.
[] (a) acute poisoning
[] (b) chronic poisoning
[] (c) cumulative poisoning
[] (d) substances in combination
[] (e) all of the above

19. List all of the hazards that are required on MSDS for every chemical.
[] (a) allergic hazards
[] (b) precautions for spills and cleanup
[] (c) health effects
[] (d) (b) and (c)
[] (e) all of the above

20. List all of the following for which a MSDS can be a useful reference.
[] (a) reactivity information
[] (b) lethal dosage
[] (c) control measures
[] (d) post exposure emergency first aid
[] (e) all of the above

21. Chemicals labeled as lachrymators are generally considered to be
[] (a) chemicals that are known to be explosive
[] (b) extreme irritants to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract and are dangerous in small quantities
[] (c) sufficiently absorbed through skin as to cause possible toxic effects
[] (d) agents that cause genetic alterations
[] (e) all of the above

22. When should you look up a chemical's MSDS?
[] (a) never
[] (b) when your advisor tells you to
[] (c) when you use a chemical for the first time
[] (d) everytime
[] (e) when you do not know the chemical formula

23. Which of the following require extreme caution when mixing?
[] (a) oxidizing and reducing agents
[] (b) acetic acid and perchloric acid
[] (c) lithium, sodium, potassium and chlorinated hydrocarbons
[] (d) peroxides and acids
[] (e) all of the above

24. Which of the following will not form peroxides?
[] (a) cyclooctene
[] (b) acetone
[] (c) ethyl ether
[] (d) tetrahydrofuran
[] (e) mineral oil

25. How long is it safe to store ethyl ether after opening?
[] (a) one week
[] (b) one month
[] (c) one year
[] (d) three months
[] (e) forever

26. Eye wash stations, safety showers, fire extinguishers and alarms are:
[] (a) safety equipment to fight fires with
[] (b) things to play with in the lab
[] (c) safety equipment you should be aware of in the lab
[] (d) safety equipment in chemical storage areas only
[] (e) safety equipment in chemistry stockrooms only

27. When an emergency occurs:
[] (a) report the nature and location to your advisor
[] (b) evacuate at once without notifying anyone
[] (c) telephone friends in other labs
[] (d) move injured persons
[] (e) open all doors as you evacuate

28. A fire contained in a small vessel can usually be suffocated by:
[] (a) picking up the vessel and throwing it in the sink
[] (b) using an ABC type extinguisher
[] (c) covering the vessel with a watchglass
[] (d) pouring water on it
[] (e) leave it alone; it will burn itself out

29. The best way to fight a fire is to:
[] (a) call the fire department
[] (b) cover the fire with a blanket
[] (c) pour water on it
[] (d) prevent it from happening in the first place
[] (e) close all doors as you evacuate

30. When a chemical spill occurs covering a small amount of skin you should:
[] (a) call the fire department
[] (b) evacuate the lab
[] (c) flush with water for 15 minutes and seek medical attention
[] (d) use cream and lotion to soothe the affected area
[] (e) use the safety shower for one minute

31. The storage of flammable and combustible liquids
[] (a) is limited to three 45 gallon cabinets per room
[] (b) is limited to two 30 gallon cabinets per room
[] (c) is not limited, as long as approved storage cabinets are used
[] (d) is limited to two 30 gallon or one 45 gallon storage cabinets per room
[] (e) none of the above

32. Visitors in the lab are
[] (a) never permitted
[] (b) permitted after normal working hours
[] (c) allowed as long as they are over 16 years of age
[] (d) only allowed as part of a University sanctioned tour or with approval from the department
[] (e) (b) and (c)

33. Cylinders containing corrosives must be
[] (a) used within 6 months
[] (b) returned within 1 year
[] (c) returned within 6 months
[] (d) ordered directly from the vendor
[] (e) (b) and (d)

34. If a fume hood starts making excessive noise or vibration
[] (a) contact your supervisor
[] (b) contact the building liason
[] (c) call a maintenance technician
[] (d) stop using the hood
[] (e) pull the fire alarm and evacuate the building

35. Multi-outlet plugs:
[] (a) are not permitted
[] (b) may be used with no restrictions
[] (c) may be used if they contain a circuit breaker
[] (d) may be used if they are part of an extension cord less than three feet in length
[] (e) (c) and (d)


Glenn Hennessee
Last modified June 3, 1999
Contact: Glenn_Hennessee@ncsu.edu