Safety
Safety is built in, not bolted on.
Aliquot surfaces the relevant hazard with every protocol. These are the bench rules it is built around, and a quick reference for the GHS pictograms you will see on reagent bottles.
Look up a chemical
Type a chemical to see a plain-language summary first (what it is, why it is dangerous, how to handle it), then the official GHS hazard and precautionary statements and its structure.
The golden rules
Always add acid to water
Never pour water into concentrated acid. Add the acid slowly into a larger volume of water so the heat dissipates safely.
Dilution is exothermic
Strong acids and bases release a lot of heat on mixing. Go slowly, swirl, and cool the vessel (an ice bath helps) to avoid boiling or spattering.
Wear your PPE
Gloves, splash goggles, and a lab coat are the minimum. Match the glove material to the chemical, and check there are no holes before you start.
Use a fume hood
Volatile acids (HCl, HNO₃), ammonia, and most organic solvents belong in a fume hood. Keep the sash low and your face outside it.
Never pipette by mouth
Always use a pipette bulb or controller. This is one of the oldest and most preventable lab injuries.
Check compatibility first
Bleach plus acid makes chlorine gas. Oxidizers plus organics can ignite. Confirm two reagents are compatible before they meet.
GHS hazard pictograms
Explosive
Unstable, mass-explosion or projection hazard
Flammable
Solvents and alcohols, keep from sparks and heat
Oxidizer
Intensifies fire, keep away from fuels
Gas under pressure
Compressed, liquefied, or dissolved gas
Corrosive
Acids and bases, attacks skin, eyes, and metal
Toxic
Acutely harmful, even in small amounts
Harmful / irritant
Skin, eye, or respiratory irritation
Health hazard
Carcinogen, sensitizer, or organ effects
Hazard to environment
Toxic to aquatic life
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Aliquot is an educational aid, not a safety authority. Always read the reagent's Safety Data Sheet (SDS), follow your institution's rules, and ask your lab safety officer when in doubt. The hazard notes here are reminders, not a substitute for proper training.