PURPOSE
Science is a hands-on
laboratory class. You
will be doing many
laboratory activities which require the use of hazardous chemicals. Safety in the science classroom is the #1 priority for
students, teachers, and
parents. To ensure
a safe science classroom, a list of rules has been developed and pro-vided to you in this student safety contract. These rules
must be followed at all times. Two copies of the contract are provided. One copy must be signed by both you and a parent or
guardian before you can participate in
the laboratory. The
second copy is to be kept in your science notebook as a constant
reminder of the safety
rules.
GENERAL RULES
1. Conduct yourself in a
responsible manner at all times in the laboratory.
2. Follow all written and
verbal instructions carefully. If you do not understand a direction or part of a procedure, ask the instructor before proceeding.
3. Never work alone. No student
may work in the laboratory without an instructor present.
4. When first entering a
science room, do not touch any equipment, chemicals, or other materials in the laboratory area until you are instructed to
do so.
5. Do not eat food, drink
beverages, or chew gum in the laboratory. Do not use laboratory glassware as containers for food or beverages.
6. Perform only those experiments authorized by the instructor. Never do any-thing in the laboratory that is not called
for in the laboratory procedures or by your instructor. Carefully follow all instructions, both written and oral. Unauthorized
experiments are prohibited.
7. Be prepared for your work
in the laboratory. Read all procedures thoroughly before entering the laboratory.
8. Never fool around in the
laboratory. Horseplay, practical jokes, and pranks are dangerous and prohibited.
9. Observe good housekeeping practices. Work areas should be kept clean and tidy at all times. Bring only your
laboratory instructions, worksheets, and/or reports to the work area. Other materials (books, purses, backpacks, etc.) should
be stored in the classroom area.
10. Keep aisles clear. Push your chair under
the desk when not in use.
11. Know
the locations and operating procedures of all safety equipment including the first aid kit, eyewash station, safety shower,
fire extinguisher, and fire blanket. Know where the fire alarm and the exits are located.
12. Always work in a well-ventilated area. Use
the fume hood when working with volatile substances or poisonous vapors. Never place your head into the fume hood.
13. Be
alert and proceed with caution at all times in the laboratory. Notify the instructor immediately of any unsafe conditions
you observe.
14. Dispose of all chemical waste properly.
Never mix chemicals in sink drains. Sinks are to be used only for water and those solutions designated by the instructor.
Solid chemicals, metals, matches, filter paper, and all other insoluble materials are to be disposed of in the proper waste
containers, not in the sink. Check the label of all waste containers twice before adding your chemical waste to the container.
15. Labels and equipment instructions must be
read carefully before use. Set up and use the prescribed apparatus as directed in the laboratory instructions or by your instructor.
16. Keep hands away from face, eyes, mouth and
body while using chemicals or preserved specimens. Wash your hands with soap and water after per-forming all experiments.
Clean all work surfaces and apparatus at the end of the experiment. Return all equipment clean and in working order to the
proper storage area.
17. Experiments must be personally monitored
at all times. You will be assigned a laboratory station at which to work. Do not wander around the room, distract other students,
or interfere with the laboratory experiments of others.
18. Students are never permitted in the science
storage rooms or preparation areas unless given specific permission by their instructor.
19. Know what to do if there is a fire drill
during a laboratory period; containers must be closed, gas valves turned off, fume hoods turned off, and any electrical equipment turned off.
20. When using knives and other sharp instruments,
always carry with tips and points pointing down and away. Always cut away from your body. Never try to catch falling sharp
instruments. Grasp sharp instruments only by the handles. If you have a medical condition (e.g., allergies, pregnancy, etc.),
check with your physician prior to working in lab.
CLOTHING
21. Any time chemicals, heat, or glassware are
used, students will wear laboratory goggles. There will be no exceptions to this rule!
22. Contact lenses should not be worn in the
laboratory unless you have permission from your instructor.
23. Dress properly during a laboratory activity.
Long hair, dangling jewelry, and loose or baggy clothing are a hazard in the laboratory. Long hair must be tied back and dangling
jewelry and loose or baggy clothing must be secured. Shoes must completely cover
the foot. No sandals allowed.
24. Lab aprons have been provided for your use
and should be worn during laboratory activities.
ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES
25. Report any accident (spill, breakage, etc.)
or injury (cut, burn, etc.) to the instructor immediately, no matter how trivial it may appear.
26. If you or your lab partner are hurt, immediately
yell out “Code one, Code one” to get the instructor’s attention.
27. If
a chemical splashes in your eye(s) or on your skin, immediately flush with running
water from the eyewash station or safety shower for at least 20 minutes. Notify the instructor immediately
HANDLING CHEMICALS
28. All chemicals in the laboratory are to be considered dangerous. Do not touch, taste, or smell any chemicals unless specifically
instructed to do so. The proper technique for smelling chemical fumes will be demonstrated to you.
29. Check the label on chemical bottles twice
before removing any of the contents. Take only as much chemical as you need.
30. Never return unused chemicals to their original
containers.
32. When transferring reagents from one container
to another, hold the containers away from your body.
33. Acids must be handled with extreme care.
You will be shown the proper method for diluting strong acids. Always add acid to water, swirl or stir the solution and be
careful of the heat produced, particularly with sulfuric acid.
34. Handle flammable hazardous liquids over
a pan to contain spills. Never dispense flammable liquids anywhere near an open flame or source of heat.
35. Never
remove chemicals or other materials from the laboratory area.
36. Take great care when transporting acids
and other chemicals from one part of the laboratory to another. Hold them securely and walk carefully.
HANDLING GLASSWARE
AND EQUIPMENT
37. Carry glass tubing, especially long pieces,
in a vertical position to minimize the likelihood of breakage and injury.
38. Never handle broken glass with your bare
hands. Use a brush and dustpan to clean up broken glass. Place broken or waste
glassware in the designated glass disposal container.
39. Inserting and removing glass tubing from
rubber stoppers can be dangerous. Always lubricate glassware (tubing, thistle tubes, thermometers, etc.) before attempting
to insert it in a stopper. Always protect your hands with towels or cotton gloves when inserting glass tubing into, or removing
it from, a rubber stopper. If a piece of glassware becomes “frozen” in a stopper, take it to your instructor for
removal.
40. Fill wash bottles only with distilled water
and use only as intended, e.g., rinsing glassware and equipment, or adding water
to a container.
41. When removing an electrical plug from its
socket, grasp the plug, not the electrical cord. Hands must be completely dry before touching an electrical switch, plug,
or outlet.
42. Examine glassware before each use. Never
use chipped or cracked glassware. Never use dirty glassware.
43. Report damaged electrical equipment immediately.
Look for things such as frayed cords, exposed wires, and loose connections. Do not use damaged electrical equipment.
44. If you do not understand how to use a piece
of equipment, ask the instructor for help.
45. Do not immerse hot glassware in cold water;
it may shatter.
HEATING SUBSTANCES
46. Exercise extreme caution when using a gas burner. Take care that hair, clothing and hands are a safe distance from the
flame at all times. Do not put any sub-stance into the flame unless specifically instructed to do so. Never reach over an
exposed flame. Light gas (or alcohol) burners only as instructed by the teacher.
47. Never leave a lit burner unattended. Never
leave anything that is being heated or is visibly reacting unattended. Always turn the burner or hot plate off when not in
use.
48. You will be instructed in the proper method
of heating and boiling liquids in test tubes. Do not point the open end of a
test tube being heated at yourself or anyone else.
49. Heated metals and glass remain very hot
for a long time. They should be set aside to cool and picked up with caution. Use tongs or heat-protective gloves if necessary.
50. Never look into a container that is being
heated.
51. Do not place hot apparatus directly on the
laboratory desk. Always use an insulating pad. Allow plenty of time for hot apparatus to cool before touching it.
52. When bending glass, allow time for the glass
to cool before further handling. Hot and cold glass have the same visual appearance. Determine if an object is hot by bringing
the back of your hand close to it prior to grasping it.
QUESTIONS
1. Do you wear contact lenses? YES NO
2. Are you color
blind? YES NO
3. Do you have allergies? YES NO If so, list specific allergies _____________________________________________________________________________________________
AGREEMENT
I, _______________________________
,
(student’s name) have
read and agree to follow all of the safety rules set forth in this contract. I realize that I must obey these rules to ensure
my own safety, and that of my fellow students and instructors. I will cooperate to the fullest extent with my instructor and
fellow students to maintain a safe lab environment. I will also closely follow the oral and written instructions provided
by the instructor. I am aware that any violation of this safety con-tract that results in unsafe conduct in the laboratory
or misbehavior on my part, may result in being removed from the laboratory, detention,
receiving a failing grade, and/or dismissal from the course.
Student
Signature
__________________________________
Date
__________________________________
Dear Parent or Guardian:
We feel that you should be
informed regarding the school’s effort to create and maintain a safe science class-room/ laboratory environment. With
the cooperation of the instructors, parents, and students, a safety instruction program can eliminate, prevent, and correct
possible hazards. You should be aware of the safety
instructions your son/daughter
will receive before engaging in any laboratory work. Please read the list of safety rules above. No student will be permitted
to perform laboratory activities unless this contract is signed by both the student and parent/guardian and is on file with
the teacher. Your signature on this contract indicates that you have read this Student
Safety Contract, are aware
of the measures
taken to ensure the safety
of your son/daughter in the science laboratory, and will instruct your son/daughter
to uphold his/her agreement to follow these rules and procedures in the laboratory.
Parent/Guardian Signature
__________________________________
Date __________________________________
