This is the point in the semester when a serious accident is most likely to occur because of how easy it is to drop our guard and forget how dangerous the equipment can be if not used properly.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not specified
• D. Irrelevant

Answer: (A)

In labs, risk often climbs when people let their guard down. As the semester wears on, familiarity with equipment and routines can make safety rules feel routine, so key precautions might be skipped or rushed. Fatigue, distractions, and overconfidence can all contribute to a lapse in judgment just when a serious injury is possible, especially with equipment that is inherently dangerous if not used correctly. So, the statement is true: there is a point in the semester when accidents are more likely because safety discipline tends to slip if we forget how dangerous the gear can be.

To stay safe, keep using PPE, follow procedures every time, and run through pre-use checks regardless of how many times you’ve done the task.