What should you do if you feel unsafe while conducting an experiment?

If you feel unsafe while conducting an experiment, the appropriate action is to stop the experiment immediately and report it. This response is critical because safety takes precedence in any laboratory setting. Continuing to work in an unsafe situation can lead to accidents, injuries, or damage to equipment. By stopping the experiment and reporting the situation, you not only protect yourself but also alert others who may be in the vicinity and allow for a proper assessment of the risk involved. This proactive step ensures that any potential hazards can be addressed appropriately and that safety protocols can be reinforced.

Engaging a peer for assistance without first addressing your own safety concerns might complicate the situation, as it does not inherently solve the underlying issue of feeling unsafe. Similarly, continuing to work or ignoring those feelings can lead to dangerous outcomes. Hence, stopping and reporting your concerns is the most responsible and safety-conscious approach in a laboratory environment.