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 provided to you in this student safety
contract.
These rules must be followed at
all times.
The bottom portion of the
contract must be signed by both you and a parent or guardian and turned in to
your teacher before you can participate in the laboratory. The top portion with
the rules 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 anything 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.
Name:
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 performing 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. Handle all living organisms used in a laboratory activity in a humane manner. Preserved biological materials are to be treated with respect and disposed of properly.
21. 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.
22. If you have
a medical condition (e.g., allergies, pregnancy, etc.), check with your
physician prior to working in lab.
CLOTHING
23. Any time
chemicals, heat, or glassware are used, students will wear laboratory goggles.
There will be no exceptions to this rule!
24. Contact
lenses should not be worn in the laboratory unless you have permission from
your instructor.
25. 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.
26. Lab aprons have been provided for your use and should be worn during laboratory activities.
ACCIDENTS AND
INJURIES
27. Report any
accident (spill, breakage, etc.) or injury (cut, burn, etc.) to the instructor
immediately, no matter how trivial it may appear.
28. If you or
your lab partner are hurt, immediately yell out “Code one, Code one” to get the
instructor’s attention.
29. 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.
30. When
mercury thermometers are broken,
mercury must not be touched. Notify the instructor immediately.
HANDLING CHEMICALS
31. 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.
32. Check the
label on chemical bottles twice before removing any of the contents. Take only
as much chemical as you need.
33. Never
return unused chemicals to their original containers.
34. Never use mouth suction to fill a pipet. Use a rubber bulb or pipet pump.
35. When
transferring reagents from one container to another, hold the containers away
from your body.
36. 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.
37. Handle
flammable hazardous liquids over a pan to contain spills. Never dispense
flammable liquids anywhere near an open flame or source of heat.
38. Never
remove chemicals or other materials from the laboratory area.
39. 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
40. Carry glass
tubing, especially long pieces, in a vertical position to minimize the
likelihood of breakage and injury.
41. 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.
42. 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.
43. Fill wash
bottles only with distilled water and use only as intended, e.g., rinsing
glassware and equipment, or adding water to a container.
44. 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.
45. Examine
glassware before each use. Never use chipped or cracked glassware. Never use
dirty glassware.
46. Report
damaged electrical equipment immediately. Look for things such as frayed cords,
exposed wires, and loose
connections. Do
not use damaged electrical equipment.
47. If you do not understand how to use a piece of equipment, ask the instructor for help.
48. Do not
immerse hot glassware in cold water; it may shatter.
HEATING SUBSTANCES
49. 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 substance
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.
50. 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.
51. 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.
52. 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.
53. Never look
into a container that is being heated.
54. 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.
55. 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
56. Do you wear contact lenses?
_ YES _ NO
57. Are you color blind?
_ YES _ NO
58. Do you have allergies?
_ YES _ NO
If so, list specific allergies
___________________________
_________________________________________________
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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 contract 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. Dear Parent or
Guardian: We
feel that you should be informed regarding the school’s effort to create
and maintain a safe science classroom/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. Please sign and return this
paper to by _______________________________________
Student Signature ____________________________________ Date
_____________________
Parent/Guardian Signature _______________________________ Date _____________________