Laboratory Safety in Biology Chitetezo M’chipinda Choyeserera (Laboratory Safety in Biology) Nthawi: Mphindi 40
Welcome to your first biology lesson in Form 1. Before we begin any experiments or practical work, you must understand how to stay safe in the biology laboratory. The laboratory is a place of learning and discovery, but it can also be dangerous if safety rules are not followed. Every year, students in schools across Malawi and beyond suffer injuries that could have been prevented by following simple safety measures. In this lesson, you will learn the rules and practices that keep you and your classmates safe.
The biology laboratory contains many items that can cause harm if misused. These include chemicals, sharp instruments such as scalpels and razor blades, heat sources such as spirit lamps and Bunsen burners, glass apparatus that can break, and biological specimens that may carry diseases. Understanding the risks associated with each of these is the first step to working safely.
When you enter the laboratory, you should always wear protective clothing. A laboratory coat protects your clothes and skin from chemical splashes and biological stains. Safety goggles protect your eyes when you are heating substances, handling chemicals, or cutting specimens. If you have long hair, tie it back so it does not catch fire or get caught in equipment. Remove loose jewellery and roll up long sleeves. Always wear closed shoes , never sandals or bare feet , because broken glass or spilled chemicals could injure your feet.
Handling chemicals safely is very important. Never taste, smell directly, or touch any chemical unless your teacher instructs you to do so. When you need to smell a substance, use the wafting technique: hold the container about 15 centimetres away from your nose and use your hand to gently fan the fumes towards you. Always read the label on a chemical bottle before using it. Pour chemicals carefully and never return unused chemicals to their original containers, as this can cause contamination.
Sharp instruments such as scalpels, razor blades, and dissecting needles must be handled with great care. Always cut away from your body and your classmates. Pass sharp instruments handle-first to another person. When not in use, place sharp tools on the bench with the blade pointing away from the edge. After dissections, dispose of blades in the sharps container provided by your teacher.
Heat sources are another common hazard. When using a spirit lamp or Bunsen burner, keep flammable materials such as paper, cloth, and alcohol away from the flame. Never leave a lit flame unattended. If you are heating a test tube, point the mouth of the test tube away from yourself and others, because the liquid inside can suddenly boil and shoot out (this is called bumping). Use a test tube holder when heating, and allow hot apparatus to cool before touching it.
Biological hazards include specimens, cultures, and body fluids that may contain harmful microorganisms. Always wear gloves when handling animal specimens or cultures. Never eat, drink, or apply cosmetics in the laboratory. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after every practical session. If you have any open cuts on your hands, cover them with a waterproof plaster before starting work.
Every laboratory should have safety equipment in known locations. At the start of the year, your teacher should show you where the following are kept:
Fire extinguisher , used to put out fires. Learn which type your school has (water, foam, carbon dioxide, or dry powder) and what kind of fire each is suitable for.
Fire blanket , used to smother small fires or to wrap around a person whose clothes have caught fire.
First aid kit , contains bandages, plasters, antiseptic solution, cotton wool, scissors, and burn cream. Report all injuries, no matter how small, to your teacher immediately.
Eye wash station or eye wash bottle , used to rinse chemicals out of the eyes. If a chemical splashes into your eye, rinse it immediately with clean water for at least 15 minutes and then report to your teacher.
Sand bucket , used to absorb chemical spills or to smother fires.
First aid basics every biology student should know:
Burns: Hold the burned area under cool running water for at least 10 minutes. Do not apply butter, toothpaste, or any home remedy. Cover with a clean, dry dressing and report to the teacher.
Cuts: Apply pressure with a clean cloth or cotton wool to stop bleeding. Clean the wound with antiseptic and cover with a plaster or bandage. If the cut is deep, seek medical attention.
Chemical splashes on skin: Wash the affected area with plenty of water immediately. Remove contaminated clothing. Report to the teacher.
Chemical in the eye: Rinse with clean water for at least 15 minutes using the eye wash station. Do not rub the eye. Seek medical attention.
Fire on clothing: Stop, drop, and roll. Do not run, as this fans the flames. Classmates can use a fire blanket to smother the fire.
Finally, always follow these general rules: never run in the laboratory, do not conduct experiments without your teacher’s permission, keep your work area clean and tidy, report any broken equipment or spills immediately, and know where the exits are in case of an emergency. Safety is everyone’s responsibility.
Takulandirani ku phunziro lanu loyamba la Biology mu Form 1. Tisanayambe kuchita zoyeserera zilizonse, muyenera kumvetsa mmene mungakhalire otetezeka m’chipinda choyeserera cha sayansi. Chipinda choyeserera ndi malo ophunzirira ndi ozindikiranako, koma akhozanso kukhala oopsa ngati malamulo a chitetezo saatsatidwa. Chaka chilichonse, ophunzira m’masukulu ambiri ku Malawi komanso kumaiko ena amavulala chifukwa chosatsatira ndondomeko za chitetezo. M’phunziro ili, muphunzira malamulo ndi ndondomeko zomwe zimakutetezani inu ndi anzanu.
Chipinda choyeserera cha sayansi chili ndi zinthu zambiri zomwe zitha kukuvulazani ngati sizigwiritsidwa ntchito moyenera. Izi zikuphatikizapo mankhwala a sayansi, zipangizo zakuthwa monga masikelo ndi mareza, zoyatsira moto monga nyali za spiriti ndi Bunsen burner, ziwiya zamagalasi zomwe zitha kusweka, ndi zitsanzo za zamoyo zomwe zitha kukhala ndi matenda.
Mukalowa m’chipinda choyeserera, muzivala zovala zotetezera nthawi zonse. Koti ya m’chipinda choyeserera imateteza zovala zanu ndi khungu lanu ku mankhwala othiririka. Ma gogolo a chitetezo amateteza maso anu mukamatentha zinthu, mukagwira ntchito ndi mankhwala, kapena mukadula zitsanzo. Ngati muli ndi tsitsi lalitali, limangeni kumbuyo kuti lisagwidwe ndi moto kapena zipangizo. Chotsani ndolo ndi zodzikongoletsera zomwe zili zomasuka. Valani nsapato zotseka nthawi zonse , osati nsapato zomakweza kapena mapazi apadera , chifukwa magalasi osweka kapena mankhwala othiririka atha kukuvulazani.
Kugwiritsa ntchito mankhwala a sayansi mosamala ndikofunikira kwambiri. Musayesetse kulawa, kunusa mwachindunji, kapena kukhudza mankhwala aliwonse ngati mphunzitsi wanu sanakuuzeni. Mukafuna kunusa chinthu, gwiritsani ntchito njira ya kuweyulira: ikani chotengera cha mankhwala pafupifupi masentimita 15 kutali ndi mphuno yanu ndipo gwiritsani ntchito dzanja lanu kupepesera fungo kuti lifike ku mphuno yanu mwapang’ono. Nthawi zonse werengani dzina la mankhwala pa botolo musanagwiritse ntchito. Thirani mankhwala mosamala ndipo musabwezeretse mankhwala omwe sunagwiritse ntchito m’botolo lawo loyambirira, chifukwa izi zitha kuyambitsa kuipitsidwa.
Zipangizo zakuthwa monga masikelo, mareza, ndi zingano zodulira ziyenera kugwiritsidwa ntchito mosamala kwambiri. Muzidula kutali ndi thupi lanu ndi la anzanu. Popereka chipangizo chakuthwa kwa munthu wina, perekani mbali ya chigwiriro patsogolo. Zipangizo zakuthwa zosagwiritsidwa ntchito ziikeni pa benchi potchutsira kutali ndi mkombero. Pambuyo pa zoyeserera zodula, tayani mareza m’chotayiramo zinthu zakuthwa chomwe chaperekedwa ndi mphunzitsi wanu.
Zoyatsira moto ndizovutanso kwambiri ngati sizigwiritsidwa ntchito bwino. Mukagwiritsa ntchito nyali ya spiriti kapena Bunsen burner, sungani zinthu zomwe zimayaka moto monga mapepala, nsalu, ndi alkoholo kutali ndi moto. Musasiye moto woyaka wopanda wowuyang’anira. Mukamatentha choyeserera mu chubu, lowezani pakamwa pa chubuyo kutali ndi inu ndi anthu ena, chifukwa madzi amkati atha kuwira modzidzimutsa (izi zimatchedwa kubumpha). Gwiritsani ntchito chogwirira chubu mukamatentha, ndipo lolezani ziwiya zotentha kuti zizire musanakhudze.
Zoopsa za zamoyo zikuphatikizapo zitsanzo, timizgalanthu tomwe timalimitsidwa, ndi madzi athupi omwe atha kukhala ndi tizilombo taling’ono toopsa. Nthawi zonse valani magilofu mukagwira zitsanzo za nyama kapena timizgalanthu. Musadye, kumwa, kapena kudzikongoletsera m’chipinda choyeserera. Sambani manja anu ndi sopo ndi madzi mosamala pambuyo pa ntchito iliyonse ya zoyeserera. Ngati muli ndi zilonda zosatseka m’manja mwanu, ziphimbeni ndi pulasitala yosalowa madzi musanayambe ntchito.
Chipinda choyeserera chilichonse chiyenera kukhala ndi zipangizo za chitetezo m’malo odziwika. Kumayambiriro kwa chaka, mphunzitsi wanu ayenera kukuonetsani kumene zinthu izi zimasungidwa:
Chozimitsira moto , chimagwiritsidwa ntchito kuzimitsa moto.
Bulangeti ya moto , imagwiritsidwa ntchito kuphimba moto wochepa kapena kukulunga munthu amene zovala zake zagwidwa ndi moto.
Bokosi la chithandizo choyamba , lili ndi mabandaji, mapulasitala, mankhwala otsuka zilonda, thonje, makasi, ndi mafuta a kutentha. Nenani za kuvulala kulikonse, ngakhale kochepa, kwa mphunzitsi wanu nthawi yomweyo.
Malo osambitsira maso kapena botolo losambitsira maso , amagwiritsidwa ntchito kutsuka mankhwala omwe alowa m’maso. Ngati mankhwala athiririkira m’maso mwanu, tsukani ndi madzi oyera kwa mphindi zosachepera 15 kenako muuze mphunzitsi wanu.
Ndowa ya mchenga , imagwiritsidwa ntchito kumeza mankhwala othiririka kapena kuphimba moto.
Chithandizo choyamba chomwe ophunzira a biology aliyense ayenera kudziwa:
Kutentha: Ikani malo otenthayo pansi pa madzi ozizira oyenda kwa mphindi zosachepera 10. Musapake batala, mankhwala amano, kapena mankhwala a kunyumba. Phimbani ndi bandaji yoyera, youma ndipo muuze mphunzitsi.
Kupasuka: Panikidzani ndi nsalu yoyera kapena thonje kuti muletse magazi. Tsukani bala ndi mankhwala otsuka zilonda ndipo phimbani ndi pulasitala kapena bandaji. Ngati bala ndi lalikulu, funani chithandizo cha chipatala.
Mankhwala othiririkira pa khungu: Sambani malo ovutikayo ndi madzi ambiri nthawi yomweyo. Chotsani zovala zaipitsidwa. Muuze mphunzitsi.
Mankhwala omwe alowa m’maso: Tsukani ndi madzi oyera kwa mphindi zosachepera 15. Musapukute maso. Funani chithandizo cha chipatala.
Moto pa zovala: Imani, gwadani, ndipo gubuduzikani pansi. Musathamange, chifukwa kuthamanga kumapangitsa moto kuyaka kwambiri. Anzanu atha kugwiritsa ntchito bulangeti ya moto kuphimba motowo.
Pomaliza, tsatirani malamulo awa nthawi zonse: musathamange m’chipinda choyeserera, musachite zoyeserera popanda chilolezo cha mphunzitsi wanu, sungani malo anu antchito oyera ndi okonzeka, nenani za chipangizo chilichonse chosweka kapena mankhwala othiririka nthawi yomweyo, ndipo dziwani kumene makomo otulukira ali pakakhala ndi tsoka. Chitetezo ndi udindo wa aliyense.
Exercise RequiredMasewera Ofunikira
You must pass this exercise to complete the lesson. Questions are randomly selected each attempt. Muyenera kupambana masewera awa kuti mumaliza phunziro. Mafunso amasankhidwa mwachisawawa nthawi iliyonse.