Final answer:
Contact lenses should never be worn in the lab due to their ability to absorb chemicals, posing a significant risk to eye safety. Safety goggles are the appropriate eye protection and are mandatory for protecting against hazards.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a laboratory environment, it is crucial that you never wear contact lenses when there is a risk of exposing your eyes to chemicals, sharp objects, heat, or other hazardous materials.
This is because contact lenses can absorb chemicals, potentially trapping them against the eye and increasing the risk of eye injury.
Instead, you should always wear appropriate safety goggles to protect your eyes from possible splashes, debris, or sparks that could result in serious harm.
Eye protection is a mandatory aspect of laboratory safety protocols and not following this rule can have severe consequences. The CAUTION note clearly states the importance of goggles in experimental situations, especially when dealing with fire to prevent any accidents or lasting damage.