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Quizzes > Science

Lab Safety Test: Check Your Knowledge of Rules, Gear, and Emergencies

Quick, free laboratory safety quiz with instant results and answer review.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Eu Jin LimUpdated Aug 25, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for Lab Safety Quiz on a golden yellow background

This lab safety quiz helps you practice core rules, use equipment correctly, and know what to do in an emergency. For extra practice, try our chemistry lab safety quiz and a broader laboratory safety test, then sharpen your hazard labels with an osha hazard communication quiz.

What does PPE stand for in a laboratory setting?
Potential Peripheral Equipment
Personal Preparation Exercise
Personal Protective Equipment
Protective Personnel Enrichment
PPE stands for Personal Protective Equipment, which includes items like gloves, goggles, and lab coats worn to minimize exposure to hazards in the laboratory. Proper PPE selection and use is essential for protecting lab personnel from physical, chemical, and biological risks. Regulatory bodies such as OSHA require appropriate PPE based on hazard assessments.
What color is the safety shower handle usually found in most laboratories?
Yellow
Red
Green
Blue
In labs, safety shower handles are typically painted green for easy identification during emergencies. This color-coding follows safety standards to ensure quick access and minimize confusion. Consistent color schemes help personnel respond rapidly to chemical exposure.
Which class of fire extinguisher is appropriate for electrical fires in the laboratory?
Class C
Class B
Class D
Class A
Class C fire extinguishers are designed for energized electrical fires and contain non-conductive extinguishing agents. Using incorrect extinguisher classes on electrical fires can cause electrocution or spread the fire. Laboratories generally label extinguishers by class to guide proper use.
What is the primary purpose of a laboratory fume hood?
To heat samples safely
To prevent spills outside the work area
To serve as storage for volatile chemicals
To remove hazardous vapors and fumes away from the user
A fume hood protects users by drawing air and airborne contaminants away from the workspace and discharging them through a ventilation system. It prevents inhalation of toxic or flammable vapors, thus reducing exposure risk. Users should confirm proper airflow before use and work behind the sash for maximum protection.
Before using a new chemical in the lab, which document should you consult to understand its hazards and handling procedures?
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
Textbook
Equipment manual
Lab notebook
Safety Data Sheets (SDS) provide comprehensive hazard information about chemicals, including toxicity, flammability, and proper handling. SDSs are mandated by regulations like OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard to ensure users understand risks and protective measures. Consulting the SDS helps in selecting appropriate PPE and emergency procedures.
What is the correct order when diluting a concentrated acid with water?
Add water to acid
Mix equal parts simultaneously
It does not matter
Add acid to water
Adding acid to water prevents the mixture from overheating and reducing the risk of violent splashing. If water is added to concentrated acid, the exothermic reaction can cause acid to spatter. The mnemonic AAA: Always Add Acid helps reinforce safe dilution practices.
When a small chemical spill occurs in the lab, what is the first action you should take?
Rinse the area with water
Neutralize the spill immediately
Call the building manager
Alert others and consult the Safety Data Sheet
The first response to any chemical spill is to alert nearby personnel of the hazard and consult the Safety Data Sheet for specific cleanup procedures. SDSs outline spill containment, necessary PPE, and disposal methods. Acting without this information can increase your risk of exposure or improper cleanup.
Where should broken glass and sharps be disposed of in the laboratory?
Chemical waste bin
Regular trash can
Biohazard red bag
Puncture-resistant sharps container
Sharps and broken glass must be disposed of in designated puncture-resistant sharps containers to prevent injury. These containers are labeled and constructed to avoid leaks or punctures during transport and disposal. Placing sharps in regular waste can lead to cuts and contamination risks.
What is the flash point of a liquid chemical?
The highest temperature for safe storage
The temperature at which it boils
The lowest temperature at which it produces enough vapor to ignite
The temperature at which it autoignites
Flash point is defined as the lowest temperature at which a liquid gives off enough vapor to form an ignitable mixture with air. Knowing a chemicals flash point is critical for assessing fire and explosion hazards. Lower flash points indicate higher flammability risks.
Which type of airflow is characteristic of a Class II biosafety cabinet to protect both the user and the sample?
Vertical laminar downflow with HEPA-filtered inflow
Horizontal laminar flow with open outlet
Crossflow with external exhaust
Unfiltered turbulent airflow
Class II biosafety cabinets draw air in through the front grille, filter it through an HEPA unit, and circulate vertical laminar downflow to protect the sample and user. This design prevents cross-contamination and maintains a sterile work area. Exhaust HEPA filters also protect the environment.
In laboratory risk assessments using the RAMP acronym, what does the 'R' stand for?
Recognize hazards
Reduce hazards
Remove hazards
Report hazards
The RAMP framework begins with 'Recognize' hazards by identifying potential sources of harm before evaluating and controlling them. Recognition is critical for effective risk assessment and prevention strategies. This approach is endorsed by organizations like the American Chemical Society for safe lab practices.
According to U.S. biosafety guidelines, which biosafety level is required for working with SARS-CoV-2 in a research laboratory?
BSL-3
BSL-2
BSL-4
BSL-1
SARS-CoV-2 is classified as a risk group 3 agent, requiring BSL-3 containment due to its potential for aerosol transmission and significant morbidity. BSL-3 labs have specialized ventilation, filtered exhaust, and controlled access to prevent exposure. These guidelines are outlined by the CDC and NIH.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Core Lab Safety Protocols -

    Learn the fundamental rules and guidelines that ensure safe conduct in a science laboratory environment.

  2. Identify Common Laboratory Hazards -

    Recognize potential chemical, biological, and physical dangers to prevent accidents before they occur.

  3. Apply Proper Equipment Handling Techniques -

    Demonstrate correct use of lab instruments and personal protective equipment to minimize risk.

  4. Interpret Safety Signage and Labels -

    Decode hazard symbols and warning labels to maintain awareness of risks and required precautions.

  5. Respond Effectively to Emergency Situations -

    Develop the skills to act swiftly and correctly during spills, fires, and other lab incidents.

  6. Evaluate Laboratory Safety Compliance -

    Assess adherence to safety protocols and identify areas for improvement in lab practices.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Essentials -

    Always don the appropriate PPE - including lab coat, safety goggles, and gloves - before entering the workspace, as mandated by OSHA and university protocols. Choose glove materials based on chemical compatibility; for instance, nitrile resists most solvents better than latex. As you prepare for a lab safety quiz, a solid PPE check is your first line of defense.

  2. Chemical Labeling and SDS Interpretation -

    Master the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) pictograms to swiftly recognize hazards and review Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for handling instructions. Always cross-reference the SDS signal word ("Danger" vs. "Warning") when preparing reagents. This foundational knowledge is also key to acing your science safety lab quiz.

  3. Equipment Operation and Calibration -

    Verify equipment functionality - like checking balance before running a centrifuge and visually inspecting Bunsen burner tubing for cracks - and confirm calibration against lab standards. Remember the relative centrifugal force formula (RCF = 1.118×10^-5 × r(mm) × RPM^2) to ensure rotor speed meets protocol. Practicing proper shutdown sequence also minimizes equipment wear.

  4. Emergency Response and Spill Procedures -

    Familiarize yourself with the RACE acronym (Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Evacuate/Extinguish) to streamline emergency response and always know the locations of safety showers and eyewash stations. In case of chemical spills, use the designated spill kit and follow lab safety test guidelines to log the incident. During a science laboratory safety test, applying RACE can save valuable seconds.

  5. Waste Management and Decontamination -

    Segregate chemical, biological, and sharps waste into labeled containers to comply with institutional and EPA regulations. Decontaminate work surfaces with appropriate agents - like 10% bleach for biohazardous spills - then document disposal per protocol. Remembering these steps will boost your score on a lab safety test or any science safety test.

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