A “what not to do laboratory worksheet” is usually a student activity where learners look at a picture or scenario of a very unsafe lab and list everything that is wrong, so they learn safety by catching mistakes.

Below is a ready‑to‑use, story‑style worksheet you can adapt for middle or high school.

What Not To Do Laboratory Worksheet

Quick Scoop

You have just walked into the most chaotic science lab in school history.
Your mission: spot everything that should never happen in a real lab and explain what the safe behavior should be instead.

Part A – Spot the “What Not To Do” Problems

Imagine a cartoon lab scene filled with students making every safety mistake possible.

Read each numbered description, then fill in:

  • “What’s wrong?” (unsafe behavior)
  • “What should be done instead?” (safe behavior)

Teacher tip: If you have an actual “what not to do lab” cartoon, just match the numbers on your picture to the numbers below.

1. First‑aid blockage
A big box is stacked right in front of the first‑aid kit and emergency poster.

  • What’s wrong?
  • What should be done instead?

2. Overloaded outlet
Three hot plates, a laptop, and a microwave are plugged into the same socket with a tangle of cords.

  • What’s wrong?
  • What should be done instead?

3. Missing fire extinguisher
The fire extinguisher has been taken off the wall and left on the floor behind a door.

  • What’s wrong?
  • What should be done instead?

4. Open chemical bottles
Several chemical bottles are left open on the counter with no labels facing forward.

  • What’s wrong?
  • What should be done instead?

5. Hazardous waste in the sink
A student is pouring unknown chemicals straight down the sink without asking.

  • What’s wrong?
  • What should be done instead?

6. Food and drinks in the lab
A student is sipping a drink and eating chips while measuring chemicals.

  • What’s wrong?
  • What should be done instead?

7. No PPE (personal protective equipment)
One student has no goggles, another no lab coat, and another is wearing sandals.

  • What’s wrong?
  • What should be done instead?

8. Sunglasses instead of goggles
A student is wearing stylish sunglasses instead of safety goggles.

  • What’s wrong?
  • What should be done instead?

9. Playing with lasers or light beams
Two students are joking around, deliberately looking into a laser beam and “straddling” it.

  • What’s wrong?
  • What should be done instead?

10. Climbing on shelves
Someone is standing on a lab shelf to reach a box instead of using a step stool.

  • What’s wrong?
  • What should be done instead?

11. Spills left on the counter
A puddle of an unknown liquid is on the bench, and students are working right next to it.

  • What’s wrong?
  • What should be done instead?

12. Radioactive or hazardous material leaking
There is a container with a warning symbol slowly leaking onto the bench.

  • What’s wrong?
  • What should be done instead?

13. Working alone and unsupervised
One student is conducting a complex experiment in the corner with no teacher nearby and no partner.

  • What’s wrong?
  • What should be done instead?

14. Unauthorized experiment
A group is trying a “cool idea” experiment that was not assigned or approved.

  • What’s wrong?
  • What should be done instead?

15. Ignoring broken glass rules
Someone is picking up broken glass with bare hands and throwing it into a regular trash bin.

  • What’s wrong?
  • What should be done instead?

16. Wrong or missing labels
A beaker is labeled only “stuff,” and another container has no label at all.

  • What’s wrong?
  • What should be done instead?

17. No hand‑washing
After finishing with chemicals, a student walks out without washing their hands.

  • What’s wrong?
  • What should be done instead?

18. Ignoring emergency procedures
An alarm is sounding, but some students keep working as if nothing is happening.

  • What’s wrong?
  • What should be done instead?

19. Poor sample handling
A student mixes up two labeled samples because they didn’t check the labels carefully.

  • What’s wrong?
  • What should be done instead?

20. Storing hazardous waste in the lab area
Full waste containers of chemicals are being stored in the middle of the lab where people work.

  • What’s wrong?
  • What should be done instead?

You can add more “what not to do” situations to match your own cartoon or lab focus.

Part B – Turn “What Not To Do” into Safety Rules

Using the problems you identified above, write clear lab safety rules in your own words.

Number your rules:

Aim for at least 10–15 strong rules, such as “Never eat or drink in the laboratory” or “Always wear appropriate PPE, including goggles and closed‑toe shoes.”

Part C – Mini Reflection

Answer in 2–3 sentences each:

  1. Which “what not to do” mistake do you think is most dangerous, and why?
  2. Which mistake do you think students are most likely to make in real life, and how can it be prevented?
  3. If you were designing a poster for lab safety, what would be your main message or slogan?

Teacher / Instructor Notes

  • This worksheet is modeled on popular “Lab Safety: What Not to Do” activities where students examine a cartoon full of safety violations and list hazards.
  • It reinforces major safety themes: PPE use, correct labeling, chemical handling, spill cleanup, emergency procedures, and avoiding unauthorized or unsupervised experiments.

Bottom note (for your requirements):
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.