Lab Safety Contract
Purpose:
Science is a hands-on laboratory class. You will be doing many
laboratory activities, which require the use of hazardous chemicals and
expensive lab equipment. 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.
General Guidelines
1. Conduct yourself in a responsible manner at all times in the
laboratory. Horseplay, practical jokes, and pranks are dangerous and
will not be tolerated!
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. 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.
4. Do not eat food, drink beverages, or chew gum while in a laboratory setting. Do
not use laboratory glassware as containers for food or beverages.
5. Never do anything in the laboratory that is not called for in the
laboratory procedures or by me. Unauthorized experiments
are prohibited.
6. Read all procedures thoroughly before starting the laboratory.
7. Observe good housekeeping practices. Work areas should be kept
clean and tidy at all times.
8. Keep aisles clear. Push your chair under the desk when not in use.
9. Know the locations and operating procedures of all safety equipment
including the first aid kit, eyewash station, fire extinguisher, and fire
blanket. Know where the fire alarm and the exits are located.
10. Be alert and proceed with caution at all times in the laboratory. Notify
me immediately of any unsafe conditions you observe.
11. Dispose of all chemical waste materials as instructed by me.
Do not pour chemicals down sinks without permission.
12. 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 (with detergent), rinse,
and wipe dry all work surfaces (including the sink) and apparatus at the
end of the experiment. Return all equipment clean and in working order
to the proper storage area.
13. 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.
14. Students are never permitted in the science storage rooms or
preparation areas unless given specific permission by me.
15. Know what to do if there is a fire drill during a laboratory period;
containers must be closed, gas valves turned off, and any electrical
equipment turned off.
16. 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.
17. 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.
Clothing
18. Any time chemicals, heat, or glassware are used, students will wear
laboratory goggles. There will be no exceptions to this rule!
19. 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.
Accidents and Injuries
20. Report any accident (spill, breakage, etc.) or injury (cut, burn, etc.) to
me immediately, no matter how trivial it may appear.
21. If you or your lab partner is hurt, immediately notify me.
22. If a chemical should splash in your eye(s) or on your skin,
immediately flush with running water for at least 20 minutes. Notify me immediately.
23. When mercury thermometers are broken, mercury must not be
touched. Notify me immediately.
Handling Chemicals
24. 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.
25. Check the label on chemical bottles twice before removing any of the
contents. Take only as much chemical as you need.
26. Never return unused chemicals to their original containers.
27. Never use mouth suction to fill a pipette. Use a rubber bulb or
pipette pump.
28. When transferring reagents from one container to another, hold the
containers away from your body.
29. Acids must be handled with extreme care. Do not get acids on you
clothing, desk or body. If acid spills notify teacher immediately.
30. Never remove chemicals or other materials from the laboratory area.
31. Take great care when transferring acids and other chemicals from
one part of the laboratory to another. Hold them securely and walk
carefully.
Handling Glassware and Equipment
32. Carry glass tubing, especially long pieces, in a vertical position to
minimize the likelihood of breakage and injury.
33. . 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.
34. 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.
35. 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.
36. Examine glassware before each use. Never use chipped or cracked
glassware. Never use dirty glassware.
37. Report damaged electrical equipment immediately. Look for things
such as frayed cords, exposed wires, and loose connections. Do not
use damaged electrical equipment.
38. If you do not understand how to use a piece of equipment, ask the
instructor for help.
39. Do not immerse hot glassware in cold water; it may shatter.
Heating Substances
40. 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 me.
41. 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.
42. 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.
43. 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.
44. Never look into a container that is being heated.
45. 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.
