• Ability to measure and report uncertain quantities with appropriate precision.
• Ability to convert raw data to physically meaningful form.
• Ability to apply appropriate method of analysis to raw data.
• Ability to carry out common laboratory procedure correctly.
• Ability to adhere to instructions on laboratory safety and to recognize hazardous situations and act appropriately.
• Ability to perform logical troubleshooting of laboratory procedures.

The success of an experiment depends on the care, accuracy, efficiency and thoroughness in doing the activity. This can be done if you have a good knowledge of the different laboratory procedures.

• Read carefully the experiment assigned before doing laboratory work. Understand the objective and the procedure of the experiment.
• Take all necessary precautions to prevent accidents in the laboratory by following the safety rules.
• Utilize your time properly. When doing long operations, such as filtering and boiling solutions, other things maybe simultaneously without much difficulty. Learn to save time by doing two or more things at one time whenever possible.
• Follow strictly the directions in the experiments to obtain reliable results.
• Write down immediately the observations made in the experiments on a sheet of paper.
• Wear apron or laboratory gown in performing experiments.

The laboratory is a safe place to experiment if you are careful. You must assume responsibility for the safety of yourself and your neighbors. Following are some safety rules to help guide you in protecting yourself and others from injury in the laboratory.

• The Laboratory is to be used for serious work.
• Do not perform experiments that are unauthorized. Always obtain your teachers permission.
• Study your lab assignment before you come to the lab. If you are in doubt about any procedure, ask your teacher for help.
• Safety goggles and a laboratory apron/gown should be worn whenever you work in the lab.
• Gloves should be worn whenever you use chemicals that cause skin irritation or can be absorbed through skin.
• Use the safety equipment provided for you. Know the location of the fire extinguisher, safety shower, eye wash, fire blanket, and the first aid kit.
• If you spill acid or other corrosive chemical, wash it off immediately with large amount of water.
• Never taste any chemical substance unless you are directed, specifically by your teacher, to do so. Never draw materials in to a pipette with your mouth.
• Smother fires with a towel, if clothing should catch fire, smother it with a blanket or coat or quench it under the safety shower.
• Handle chemicals carefully. Check the labels of all bottles before removing the contents. Do not return unused chemicals to reagent bottles.
• Keep the combustible materials away from open flames. (Some combustible materials are alcohol, carbon disulfide and acetone).
• When heating a substance in a test tube, be careful not to point the mouth of the test tube at another person or yourself.
• Use caution and proper equipment to handle hot glassware. Cool glass looks the same as hot gas.
• Place broken glass and solid substances in designated containers. Keep insoluble waste material out of the sink.
• Know the correct procedure for mixing acid solutions. Always add the acid slowly to the water. Never add water to a large amount of acid.
• Long hair should be tied back. Avoid wearing clothing wit loose sleeves as it may catch fire.

• Keep the sink, laboratory tables, and all other equipment clean in order   to eliminate impurities that may interfere with the reaction.
• Never throw insoluble materials anywhere except into the wide mouthed jar provided for this purpose.
• Throw liquid waste, such as acidic solutions and solutions of silver and mercury salts, into narrow mouthed jars provide for this purpose and not into the sink.
• Keep reagent bottles in their proper place at all times.
• Do not return excess reagents to their original containers to avoid contaminating the rest of the reagents. Hence, take only the amount you need to avoid waste
• In pouring a liquid reagent from its bottle, never let the lower portion of the stopper touch the laboratory table or other objects that might be destroyed or contaminated by the reagent. Always use clean pipettes or medicine dropper.

Chemical Requisitions

• Should be approved and signed by the instructor before they may be served. For your own convenience verify first the availability of stocks before asking for approval.
• Submit approved request to laboratory STAP at least two days before laboratory period.

Overtime Work

• Use of laboratory rooms outside laboratory period should be minimized. However, if a student needs to work overtime he may do so with a written permission, stating the exact time and day he wishes to use a particular room (with no other classes occupying the room) and duly signed by the instructor. NO OVERTIME WORK MAY BE ALLOWED ON SATURDAY.

Safety Measures

• Every laboratory room is provided with large pail of water for emergency use only. At no time it should be used for any experimental work.
• “No smoking” should be strictly followed.
• Check if gas, water and electric fans are switched off after class time.
• Laboratory rooms should not be used as student’s lounging area and doors locked after each class.

Maintenance of Equipment

• Instruments can be used by the students only after they have undergone training in the use of the instruments.
• Any school properties should not be removed or destroyed by the students (electrical outlet, safety hasp, locker lock, etc,).

Lost and Breakage

• All lost apparatus and breakage by the students should be replaced.