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Quizzes > Science

Flinn Scientific lab safety quiz: test your chemistry lab skills

Quick, free laboratory safety test with instant results and study tips

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Sarel MyburghUpdated Aug 23, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art laboratory setup with beakers goggles gloves, clipboard and test tube icons on sky blue background for safety quiz

This Flinn lab safety quiz helps you check key rules, spot hazards, and choose the right PPE. In minutes, review signs, storage, spills, and emergency steps, then see instant results with tips to improve. For more practice, try our chemistry lab safety quiz and a science laboratory safety test, or brush up on chemistry lab safety.

What piece of personal protective equipment is essential to protect your eyes in the chemistry lab?
Face shield
Earplugs
Safety goggles
Lab coat
Safety goggles are designed to shield the eyes from chemical splashes and flying debris common in labs. Face shields provide broader face protection but should be used in addition to goggles, not as a substitute. Lab coats protect the body, and earplugs protect hearing, but neither prevents eye injuries. Always choose ANSI-approved safety goggles when handling chemicals. Learn more at .
What does SDS stand for in laboratory safety documentation?
Scientific Data Summary
Safety Description Sheet
Safety Data Sheet
Standard Documentation Safety
SDS stands for Safety Data Sheet, which provides detailed information on chemical hazards, handling procedures, and emergency measures. It replaced the older MSDS format to standardize hazard communication internationally. SDSs are required by OSHA to be accessible to all laboratory personnel. For more details see .
Which type of footwear is considered appropriate for a chemistry laboratory?
Closed-toe shoes
Shorts
Sandals
Loose flowing clothing
Closed-toe shoes are mandatory to protect feet from chemical spills, broken glass, and dropped equipment. Sandals, shorts, and loose clothing leave skin exposed to hazards and increase risk of injury. Proper lab attire includes long pants and fitted clothing. For more guidance visit .
Where should flammable liquids be stored in a laboratory setting?
On an open lab bench shelf
Inside the fume hood tray
In a flammable storage cabinet
In a desk drawer
Flammable liquids must be kept in a specially designed flammable storage cabinet to minimize fire risk. Open shelves, fume hoods, or desk drawers lack the containment features required for flammable materials. Cabinets are constructed to withstand fire and reduce vapor leakage. See for more information.
What is the safest way to smell a chemical in the lab?
Heat the container before smelling
Waft the vapors toward your nose
Breathe directly from the container
Open the container and inhale deeply
Wafting directs small quantities of vapor toward your nose without exposing you to high concentrations. Direct inhalation can cause inhalation injuries and exposure to toxic vapors. Heating before smelling increases vapor concentration and risk. For safe techniques see .
Before beginning any laboratory experiment, what is the first action you should take?
Start the experiment immediately
Only skim the manual
Ask for help after an accident
Read the procedure and safety guidelines
Thoroughly reading the procedure and safety guidelines ensures you understand hazards, required PPE, and steps to follow. Starting without preparation can lead to accidents and errors. Skimming or deferring questions until after an incident is unsafe. Refer to for best practices.
What is the primary purpose of the emergency safety shower in a lab?
To rinse equipment
To rinse chemicals off the entire body
To clean the face only
To wash hands only
The emergency shower is designed to drench and rinse chemicals from the entire body quickly to minimize injury. Handwashing stations and eyewashes are separate and only address targeted areas. Equipment should not be rinsed in safety showers. More details at .
If you accidentally break a piece of glassware in the lab, what should you do first?
Notify the instructor immediately
Leave the broken glass on the floor
Sweep up the pieces with your bare hands
Pick up large shards with bare hands
Notifying the instructor ensures proper cleanup procedures and reduces injury risk. Bare-handed cleanup can cause cuts or contamination. Instructors will provide gloves, brooms, or designated disposal for sharps. Read more at .
How should chemical waste be disposed of in a typical teaching laboratory?
Pour all waste down the sink
Evaporate it inside the fume hood
Throw it in the regular trash bin
Use the designated chemical waste containers
Chemical waste must be segregated by type and placed in labeled waste containers to prevent dangerous reactions and environmental harm. Sinks and trash cans are not suitable for hazardous chemicals. Evaporation in fume hoods can concentrate toxins and is prohibited. See for guidelines.
In the NFPA hazard diamond, which color represents health hazards?
Red
Blue
White
Yellow
The blue quadrant of the NFPA diamond indicates health hazards associated with a chemical. Red is for flammability, yellow for reactivity, and white for special hazards. This standardized labeling helps responders quickly assess risks. Learn more at .
What is the correct method for diluting a concentrated acid?
Add acid to a large organic solvent
Slowly add acid to water
Slowly add water to acid
Mix equal parts at the same time
Adding acid to water gradually dissipates heat and reduces splatter risks. Adding water to acid can generate localized boiling and violent reactions. Mixing equal parts simultaneously does not control the exotherm. Consult for more details.
Which class of fire extinguisher is appropriate for a flammable liquid (grease) fire?
Class A
Class D
Class B
Class C
Class B extinguishers are designed for fires involving flammable liquids like grease, oil, and solvents. Class A is for ordinary combustibles, Class C for electrical fires, and Class D for combustible metals. Using the correct extinguisher prevents spread and re-ignition. Reference .
What information must be included on every chemical reagent label?
Purchase date
Vendor logo
CAS number only
Chemical name and concentration
Labels must clearly state the chemical identity and concentration to ensure proper handling and risk assessment. Vendor logos and purchase dates are minor details and not required for safety. CAS numbers are useful but insufficient alone. For labeling standards see .
If a chemical splashes into your eye, what is the immediate action you should take?
Wipe with a paper towel
Apply antibiotic ointment
Rinse with a bottled water stream
Use the eyewash station for at least 15 minutes
Flushing the eye in the eyewash station for a minimum of 15 minutes removes contaminants and reduces tissue damage. Paper towels and bottled water are not sterile or adequate for emergency flushing. Ointments should only be applied after professional assessment. More info at .
What is the minimum recommended clearance between equipment and the sash of a fume hood?
1 centimeter
No clearance needed
50 centimeters
10 centimeters
Maintaining at least a 10 cm buffer prevents objects from blocking proper airflow and containment. Too close placement can disrupt airflow patterns and increase exposure risks. A larger distance may reduce hood efficiency, but 10 cm is widely accepted. See .
How often should safety equipment such as fire extinguishers and safety showers be inspected?
Only when they appear damaged
Before each use and monthly checks
Once a year
Every five years
Frequent inspections ensure emergency equipment is ready and functional. OSHA recommends monthly visual checks and annual professional maintenance. Waiting for visible damage or long intervals increases risk of failure. Further guidelines at .
What is the main purpose of a chemical hygiene plan in a laboratory?
To reduce chemical procurement costs
To increase experimental productivity
To protect laboratory personnel from health hazards
To standardize inventory management
A chemical hygiene plan outlines procedures, controls, and responsibilities to minimize exposure to hazardous chemicals. It focuses on safety rather than productivity or cost savings. Proper implementation reduces incidents and complies with OSHA's laboratory standard. Learn more at .
What does GHS stand for in global chemical hazard communication?
General Hazard Scheme
Government Hazard Standard
Global Hazard Safety
Globally Harmonized System
GHS stands for the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals, which standardizes hazard communication worldwide. This system uses consistent pictograms, labels, and safety data sheets. It helps ensure that chemical hazards are recognized everywhere. More on GHS at .
In the NFPA hazard diamond, what hazard does the red quadrant signify?
Flammability
Health hazard
Special notice
Instability
The red quadrant indicates flammability or fire risk of a chemical. Blue is health, yellow is reactivity or chemical stability, and white is special hazards or specific notices. This visual guide allows quick hazard assessment. For details see .
Which laboratory equipment is specifically designed to remove toxic or noxious vapors from a workspace?
Reflux condenser
Vacuum pump
Chemical fume hood
Biosafety cabinet
Chemical fume hoods provide ventilation to capture and exhaust toxic or harmful vapors. Biosafety cabinets protect biological samples and personnel from pathogens but are not for chemical vapors. Vacuum pumps create suction but do not filter vapors. See .
What is the definition of the flash point of a chemical solvent?
The boiling point
The freezing point
The lowest temperature at which vapors ignite
The autoignition temperature
The flash point is the lowest temperature at which a liquid produces enough vapor to ignite in the presence of an ignition source. It is distinct from boiling or freezing points. The autoignition temperature is higher, where ignition occurs without a spark. More at .
What is the proper way to store and handle pressurized gas cylinders in the laboratory?
Lay cylinders on their side
Hold by the valve during transport
Secure cylinders upright with chains or straps
Store unlocked in any corner
Cylinders must be secured upright to prevent tipping and damage to valves. Laying them down can cause leaks and complicate valve operation. Transport with proper carts and leave protective caps on. For practical guidelines see .
When conducting a volumetric titration, at what level should you align your eye to read the meniscus accurately?
At the bottom of the meniscus
It does not matter
Below the meniscus
Above the meniscus
Reading at eye level ensures accurate alignment with the bottom of the curved liquid surface, the meniscus. Reading from above or below can cause parallax error and inaccurate volume determination. Precision is critical in titration for reproducible results. Details at .
Which container is appropriate for disposal of broken glass and other sharps?
Rigid sharps container
Regular trash bin
Organic solvent waste drum
Biohazard bag
Rigid sharps containers are puncture-resistant and labeled to safely collect glass shards and sharp objects. Biohazard bags are meant for infectious waste, and regular trash bins risk injury to custodial staff. Solvent drums are for liquid chemical waste. See .
What visible sign indicates the formation of dangerous peroxides in stored ether solvents?
Crystals forming around the container cap
Solution remains clear
Liquid turns slightly pink
Continuous bubbling
Peroxides often crystallize around the cap or neck of ether bottles, signaling dangerous buildup. A clear solution does not guarantee safety, as peroxides can be soluble. Pink discoloration or bubbling may indicate other issues but are not definitive peroxide signs. For safety practices see .
Which safety feature is used to prevent overpressure buildup in closed glass apparatus during gas generation?
Pressure relief valve or bubbler
Metal clamp
Open rubber stopper
Fixed glass stopcock
Pressure relief valves or bubblers allow excess gas to escape, preventing vessel rupture. Stopcocks can fail under pressure and do not guarantee safe venting. Rubber stoppers and clamps offer no controlled release. For apparatus setup, see .
When handling cryogenic liquids like liquid nitrogen, what is the most critical safety precaution?
Use standard latex gloves
Submerge protective goggles in the liquid
Wear specialized cryogenic insulated gloves
Handle with bare hands
Cryogenic gloves provide insulation against extreme cold to prevent frostbite. Latex or standard gloves offer no protection at such low temperatures. Goggles should be worn but never submerged. Always follow department protocols; see .
What details must a laboratory chemical inventory include to comply with safety regulations?
Storage location only
Chemical name, quantity, location, and hazard classification
Purchase price only
Expiration date only
A compliant inventory tracks chemical identity, amounts, storage locations, and hazard classes for risk assessment and emergency response. Location alone is insufficient, and price or expiration date without hazard info does not ensure safety. Comprehensive inventories support regulatory compliance. Learn more at .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Hazard Symbols -

    Recognize common chemical hazard symbols and their meanings as presented in the flinn scientific lab safety quiz.

  2. Apply Proper Safety Gear -

    Select and use appropriate personal protective equipment to maintain labsafety flinn science standards during experiments.

  3. Demonstrate Emergency Procedures -

    Outline steps for emergency situations, including spill response and first-aid protocols featured in the flinn safety test.

  4. Interpret Lab Protocols -

    Analyze procedural instructions to ensure compliance with flinn lab safety test guidelines and best practices.

  5. Evaluate Chemical Handling Techniques -

    Assess safe methods for chemical storage, labeling, and disposal to minimize risk in every experiment.

  6. Prepare for the Flinn Safety Quiz -

    Review and reinforce key safety principles to improve scores in the flinn safety quiz and boost confidence.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Interpret Common Hazard Symbols -

    Understanding the eight basic GHS pictograms (flammable, corrosive, toxic, etc.) is crucial for the Flinn lab safety test. Try the mnemonic "FAT CAT" (Flammable, Acute toxicity, Toxic, Corrosive, etc.) to recall major categories quickly. Recognizing these symbols at a glance helps you anticipate and mitigate risks before beginning any experiment.

  2. Proper Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) -

    Lab coats, goggles, gloves, and face shields form your primary defense against chemical splashes and debris; always choose PPE rated for the substance you're handling. For instance, nitrile gloves resist many solvents that latex can't withstand - check compatibility charts from OSHA or university safety offices. A quick "Dress Like a Pro" routine (goggles on, coat buttoned, gloves last) ensures nothing gets overlooked.

  3. Safe Chemical Handling Procedures -

    Always add acid to water, never the reverse, to prevent violent exothermic reactions - a key rule emphasized in Flinn Safety Quiz guidelines. Label every container with chemical name, concentration, and date to avoid mix-ups; color-coded tape can speed identification. Consult your institution's Safety Data Sheets (SDS) repository for storage compatibility and spill-response methods.

  4. Emergency Response and Spill Management -

    Familiarize yourself with RAMP: Recognize hazards, Assess risks, Minimize exposure, Prepare to respond - an OSHA-backed framework featured in many labsafety Flinn science courses. Know the location and correct use of eyewash stations, safety showers, and spill kits. Conduct mock drills periodically so that your reactions become second nature when time matters most.

  5. Proper Waste Disposal Techniques -

    Chemical waste segregation (organic solvents, acids/bases, heavy metals) follows strict legal guidelines - check EPA or local authority protocols to stay compliant. Use clearly labeled, compatible containers and never combine incompatible wastes; a simple "No Mix" rule prevents dangerous reactions. Regularly review your institution's hazardous-waste manual to ace the Flinn safety quiz and protect your lab community.

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