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WorksheetYear 8Level 1 · Easier

Free Year 8 Lab Safety and Scientific Equipment Worksheet

Students learn the essential rules for working safely in a science laboratory, what common hazard symbols mean, the names and uses of everyday lab equipment, how to read a measuring cylinder accurately and how to light and use a Bunsen burner safely. They finish by writing a safe method for heating a liquid in a test tube.

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Year
Year 8
Subject
Science
Topic
Working Scientifically
Difficulty
Level 1 · Easier
Estimated time
35 minutes
Curriculum
New Zealand Curriculum
Questions
14
Answers
Included, with working
Format
PDF (A4), print or complete online

Students will practise

  • applying laboratory safety rules
  • interpreting hazard symbols
  • naming and choosing scientific equipment
  • reading a measuring cylinder at the meniscus
  • using a Bunsen burner safely

Curriculum: New Zealand Curriculum. We show specific outcome codes only where they have been verified against the official curriculum document.

What's next?

Completed: Lab Safety and Scientific Equipment

Ready for more? Move on to Year 9 Science.

Harder: Level 2 · Standard →

How to use this worksheet

  1. Print the PDF or complete it on screen. Write the student's name and date at the top.
  2. Read the instructions for each part together before starting. Encourage working to be shown.
  3. Mark with the answer sheet. Use the model answers and success criteria as a guide rather than a single right answer.
  4. Record the score, celebrate what went well, then follow the "What's next" suggestion.

Common questions

Who is this worksheet for?

Year 8 students (typically ages 12–13) working on working scientifically. It is pitched at level 1 · easier; a harder version is linked above.

Are the answers included?

Yes. The PDF includes a full answer sheet with model answers and success criteria where there is more than one good answer. You can also view the answers online.

How long does it take?

About 35 minutes for 14 questions. Short, regular sessions work best: two or three a week beats one long one.

Do I need to sign up to download?

No. Click Download Free PDF and it opens immediately. It is free for personal, classroom and homeschool use.

What should we do next?

Explore more Year 8 science resources.

Preview

Success TutoringWorksheetsYear 8 · Science · Working Scientifically

Lab Safety and Scientific Equipment

Name

Date

Score /

If you are ever unsure whether something is safe, stop and ask your teacher.

Part A: Staying safe in the lab

Read the passage, then answer the questions.

A science laboratory has hazards such as heat, glass, electricity and chemicals. Always follow your teacher's instructions, wear safety glasses, tie back long hair, keep bags out of walkways and report all spills, breakages and injuries immediately.

Chemical containers carry hazard symbols that warn you of the type of danger. Read the label before you use any substance.

1.You knock over a beaker and it breaks. What should you do first?
  1. APick up the pieces quickly with your hands.
  2. BTell your teacher straight away and keep others away from it.
  3. CPush the pieces under the bench.
  4. DKeep working and clean it up at the end.
2.What is the safe way to smell a substance in the lab?
  1. APut your nose right over the container and breathe in deeply.
  2. BGently waft the air above it towards your nose with your hand, only if your teacher says to.
  3. CTaste a tiny amount instead.
  4. DHeat it first so the smell is stronger.
3.Safety glasses only need to be worn when using a Bunsen burner. ☐ True   ☐ False
4.Long hair should be tied back when working with flames. ☐ True   ☐ False
5.It is fine to eat or drink in the lab as long as you wash your hands first. ☐ True   ☐ False
6.Match each hazard symbol to its meaning.
  • flame symbol
  • test tubes dripping onto a hand and a surface
  • skull and crossbones
  • exclamation mark
  • corrosive — can burn skin and damage materials
  • flammable — catches fire easily
  • toxic — can be poisonous even in small amounts
  • harmful or irritant — can cause irritation or mild harm

Part B: Equipment and measuring

Choosing the right equipment makes measurements more accurate. A measuring cylinder measures volume much more accurately than the rough marks on a beaker.

Water curves where it meets the glass. This curve is called the meniscus. Read the scale at the bottom of the meniscus, with your eye level with it.

7.Match each piece of equipment to its use.
  • measuring cylinder
  • beaker
  • tripod and gauze mat
  • tongs
  • evaporating dish
  • electronic balance
  • measures the volume of a liquid accurately
  • supports a beaker above a Bunsen burner
  • holds, mixes and heats liquids (volume marks are only approximate)
  • heats a solution until the liquid evaporates
  • pick up hot objects
  • measures mass
8.Each small mark on a measuring cylinder is 2 mL. The bottom of the meniscus is level with the third small mark above the 40 mL line. What volume does it hold? (answer space)
9.A beaker is the best choice for measuring exactly 25 mL of water. ☐ True   ☐ False
10.To read a measuring cylinder accurately, put your eye level with the bottom of the curved surface of the liquid, called the (answer space).

Part C: Using a Bunsen burner

A Bunsen burner burns gas to heat things. When the air hole is closed, it makes a yellow, wavy safety flame that is easy to see. When the air hole is open, it makes a hotter blue flame used for heating.

11.When a Bunsen burner is lit but not being used, which flame should it be set to?
  1. Athe yellow safety flame (air hole closed)
  2. Bthe blue roaring flame (air hole open)
  3. Cno flame — blow it out each time
  4. Dthe hottest possible flame
12.Why is the blue flame used for heating?
  1. AIt is cooler and safer.
  2. BIt is much hotter and does not leave soot on equipment.
  3. CIt is easier to see.
  4. DIt uses no gas.
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Preview — the PDF contains the full resource and answer sheet.

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About this resource

Created by
Success Tutoring Science Team
Last reviewed
1 October 2026
How it was made
Written by our team

Free to print and share for personal, classroom and homeschool use. Please don't resell. Spotted an error? Let us know.