Text A. Laboratory safety rules.

The science lab is an inherently dangerous place, with fire hazards, dangerous chemicals, and risky procedures. Here's a list of 9 important safety rules.

1. _____ Whether it's listening to your instructor or lab supervisor or following a procedure in a book, it's critical to listen, pay attention, and be familiar with all the steps, from start to finish, before you begin. If you are unclear about any point or have questions, get them answered before starting, even if it's a question about a step later on in the protocol. Know how to use all of the lab equipment before you begin. Why is this the most important rule? If you don't follow it: You endanger yourself and others in the lab. You could easily ruin your experiment. You put the lab at risk of an accident, which could damage equipment as well as harm people.

2. _____ It's important to know what lab safety signs mean and how to use safety equipment. In the event something goes wrong, it's important to know the location of the safety equipment and how to use it. It's a good idea to check equipment periodically to make sure it is in working order. For example, does water actually come out of the safety shower?

3._____ This is a safety rule because your clothing is one of your best forms of protection against an accident. For any science lab, wear covered shoes, long pants, and keep your hair up so it can't fall into your experiment or a flame. Make sure you wear protective gear, as needed. Basics include a lab coat and safety goggles. You may also need gloves, hearing protection, and other items, depending on the nature of the experiment.

4. _____ Don't store your food or beverages in the same refrigerator that contains experiments or chemicals There is too much risk of contaminating your food. You could touch it with a hand that is coated with chemicals. Also eating and drinking in the lab is a form of distraction. If you are eating, you aren't concentrating on your work. It's unsafe. If you're used to drinking liquids in the lab, you might accidentally reach for and drink the wrong liquid.

5. _____ Not only should you not bring in food or drinks, but you shouldn't taste or smell chemicals already in the lab. The best way to know what's in a container is to label it, so get in the habit of making a label for glassware before adding the chemical. Tasting or smelling some chemicals can be dangerous or even deadly. Don't do it! If you need to smell a chemical, you should use your hand to waft the scent toward you, not sniff the container.

6. _____ Another important safety rule is to act responsibly in the lab. Don't, mix chemicals randomly to see what happens. The result could be an explosion, fire, or release of toxic gases.

7. _____ One important laboratory safely rule is to know what to do with your experiment when it's over. Before you start an experiment, you should know what to do at the end. Are the chemicals safe to dump down the drain? If not, what do you do with them? Do you have broken glass or needles? Know the protocol for disposing of "sharps".

8. _____ Accidents happen, but you can do your best to prevent them and have a plan to follow when they occur. Most laboratories have a plan to follow in the event of an accident. Follow the rules. One particularly important safety rule is to tell a supervisor that an accident occurred. Don't lie about it or try to cover it up. If you get cut, exposed to a chemical, or spill something there could be consequences. The danger isn't only to you. If you don't get care, sometimes you could expose others to a toxin or pathogen. Also, if you don't admit to an accident, you could get your lab in a lot of trouble.

9. _____ A popular way science fiction movies often start is with a scientist conducting an experiment on himself. No, you won't get superpowers. No, you won't discover the secret to eternal youth. No, you won't cure cancer. Or, if you do, it will be at great personal risk. Science means using the scientific method. You need data on multiple subjects to draw conclusions. Experimenting on yourself is dangerous and it's bad science.

7. Comprehension check. Answer the following questions:

1. When should you clarify all the things you didn’t understand about the procedure of any experiment?

2. Why is it important to check safety equipment from time to time?

3. What pants and shoes should you wear to the lab?

4. Why should you keep your hair up in the lab?

5. What does basic protective gear include?

6. Why shouldn’t you keep food and drinks in the lab refrigerator?

7. How can you smell chemicals?

8. Why can’t you combine the chemicals at random?

9. What should you do when the experiment is finished?

10. What should you do if an accident happens?

11. Why isn’t it wise to conceal an accident?

12. What is scientific method?

8. Study Text A and find the adequate English equivalents of the following words and phrases:

1) вред; 2) взрыв; 3) выброс токсичных газов; 4) сливать в канализацию 5) подвергать воздействию ядовитого вещества 6) делать выводы 7) подвергать риску