South Pasadena • Chemistry Name

Lab Safety Period Date

STUDENT SAFETY CONTRACT

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. 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 15. Labels and equipment instructions must be read carefully
1. Conduct yourself in a responsible manner at all times in the before use. Set up and use the prescribed apparatus as directed
laboratory. in the laboratory instructions or by your instructor.
2. Follow all written and verbal instructions carefully. If you do 16. Keep hands away from face, eyes, mouth and body while using
not understand a direction or part of a procedure, ask the chemicals or preserved specimens. Wash your hands with soap
instructor before proceeding. and water after performing all experiments. Clean all work
3. Never work alone. No student may work in the laboratory surfaces and apparatus at the end of the experiment. Return all
without an instructor present. equipment clean and in working order to the proper storage
4. When first entering a science room, do not touch any area.
equipment, chemicals, or other materials in the laboratory area 17. Experiments must be personally monitored at all times. You
until you are instructed to do so. will be assigned a laboratory station at which to work. Do not
5. Do not eat food, drink beverages, or chew gum in the wander around the room, distract other students, or interfere
laboratory. Do not use laboratory glassware as containers for with the laboratory experiments of others.
food or beverages. 18. Students are never permitted in the science storage rooms or
6. Perform only those experiments authorized by the instructor. preparation areas unless given specific permission by their
Never do anything in the laboratory that is not called for in the instructor.
laboratory procedures or by your instructor. Carefully follow 19. Know what to do if there is a fire drill during a laboratory
all instructions, both written and oral. Unauthorized period; containers must be closed, gas valves turned off, fume
experiments are prohibited. hoods turned off, and any electrical equipment turned off.
7. Be prepared for your work in the laboratory. Read all 20. When using knives and other sharp instruments, always carry
procedures thoroughly before entering the laboratory. with tips and points pointing down and away. Always cut away
8. Never fool around in the laboratory. Horseplay, practical jokes, from your body. Never try to catch falling sharp instruments.
and pranks are dangerous and prohibited. Grasp sharp instruments only by the handles.
9. Observe good housekeeping practices. Work areas should be 21. If you have a medical condition (e.g., allergies, pregnancy,
kept clean and tidy at all times. Bring only your laboratory etc.), check with your physician prior to working in lab.
instructions, worksheets, and/or reports to the work area. Other Clothing
materials (books, purses, backpacks, etc.) should be stored in 22. Any time chemicals, heat, or glassware are used, students will
the classroom area. wear laboratory goggles. There will be no exceptions to this
10. Keep aisles clear. Push your chair under the desk when not in rule!
use. 23. Contact lenses should not be worn in the laboratory unless you
11. Know the locations and operating procedures of all safety have permission from your instructor.
equipment including the first aid kit, eyewash station, safety 24. Dress properly during a laboratory activity. Long hair,
shower, fire extinguisher, and fire blanket. Know where the dangling jewelry, and loose or baggy clothing are a hazard in
fire alarm and the exits are located. the laboratory. Long hair must be tied back and dangling
12. Always work in a well-ventilated area. Use the fume hood jewelry and loose or baggy clothing must be secured. Shoes
when working with volatile substances or poisonous vapors. must completely cover the foot. No sandals allowed.
Never place your head into the fume hood. Accidents and Injuries
13. Be alert and proceed with caution at all times in the laboratory. 25. Report any accident (spill, breakage, etc.) or injury (cut, burn,
Notify the instructor immediately of any unsafe conditions you etc.) to the instructor immediately, no matter how trivial it may
observe. appear.
14. Dispose of all chemical waste properly. Never mix chemicals 26. If you or your lab partner are hurt, immediately yell out “Code
in sink drains. Sinks are to be used only for water and those one, Code one” to get the instructor’s attention.
solutions designated by the instructor. Solid chemicals, metals, 27. If a chemical splashes in your eye(s) or on your skin,
matches, filter paper, and all other insoluble materials are to be immediately flush with running water from the eyewash station
disposed of in the proper waste containers, not in the sink. or safety shower for at least 20 minutes. Notify the instructor
Check the label of all waste containers twice before adding immediately.
your chemical waste to the container. 28. When mercury thermometers are broken, mercury must not be
touched. Notify the instructor immediately.
Handling Chemicals 41. Fill wash bottles only with distilled water and use only as
29. All chemicals in the laboratory are to be considered dangerous. intended, e.g., rinsing glassware and equipment, or adding
Do not touch, taste, or smell any chemicals unless specifically water to a container.
instructed to do so. The proper technique for smelling chemical 42. When removing an electrical plug from its socket, grasp the
fumes will be demonstrated to you. plug, not the electrical cord. Hands must be completely dry
30. Check the label on chemical bottles twice before removing any before touching an electrical switch, plug, or outlet.
of the contents. Take only as much chemical as you need. 43. Examine glassware before each use. Never use chipped or
31. Never return unused chemicals to their original containers. cracked glassware. Never use dirty glassware.
32. Never use mouth suction to fill a pipet. Use a rubber bulb or 44. Report damaged electrical equipment immediately. Look for
pipet pump. things such as frayed cords, exposed wires, and loose
33. When transferring reagents from one container to another, hold connections. Do not use damaged electrical equipment.
the containers away from your body. 45. If you do not understand how to use a piece of equipment, ask
34. Acids must be handled with extreme care. You will be shown the instructor for help.
the proper method for diluting strong acids. Always add acid to 46. Do not immerse hot glassware in cold water; it may shatter.
water, swirl or stir the solution and be careful of the heat Heating Substances
produced, particularly with sulfuric acid. 47. Exercise extreme caution when using a gas burner. Take care
35. Handle flammable hazardous liquids over a pan to contain that hair, clothing and hands are a safe distance from the flame
spills. Never dispense flammable liquids anywhere near an at all times. Do not put any substance into the flame unless
open flame or source of heat. specifically instructed to do so. Never reach over an exposed
36. Never remove chemicals or other materials from the laboratory flame. Light gas (or alcohol) burners only as instructed by the
area. teacher.
37. Take great care when transporting acids and other chemicals 48. Never leave a lit burner unattended. Never leave anything that
from one part of the laboratory to another. Hold them securely is being heated or is visibly reacting unattended. Always turn
and walk carefully. the burner or hot plate off when not in use.
Handling Glassware and Equipment 49. You will be instructed in the proper method of heating and
38. Carry glass tubing, especially long pieces, in a vertical position boiling liquids in test tubes. Do not point the open end of a test
to minimize the likelihood of breakage and injury. tube being heated at yourself or anyone else.
39. Never handle broken glass with your bare hands. Use a brush 50. Heated metals and glass remain very hot for a long time. They
and dustpan to clean up broken glass. Place broken or waste should be set aside to cool and picked up with caution. Use
glassware in the designated glass disposal container. tongs or heat-protective gloves if necessary.
40. Inserting and removing glass tubing from rubber stoppers can 51. Never look into a container that is being heated.
be dangerous. Always lubricate glassware (tubing, thistle 52. Do not place hot apparatus directly on the laboratory desk.
tubes, thermometers, etc.) before attempting to insert it in a Always use an insulating pad. Allow plenty of time for hot
stopper. Always protect your hands with towels or cotton apparatus to cool before touching it.
gloves when inserting glass tubing into, or removing it from, a 53. When bending glass, allow time for the glass to cool before
rubber stopper. If a piece of glassware becomes “frozen” in a further handling. Hot and cold glass have the same visual
stopper, take it to your instructor for removal. appearance. Determine if an object is hot by bringing the back
of your hand close to it prior to grasping it.

Student & Parent Agreement

• Do you wear contact lenses?  YES mo
 NO Dear Parent or Guardian:
• Are you color blind?  YES  NO
on We feel that you should be informed regarding the school’s effort to
• Do you have allergies?  YES  NO
If so, list specific allergies: 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
I, JosephHuelskamp (student’s name) have read and agree correct possible hazards. You should be aware of the safety
to follow all of the safety rules set forth in this contract. I realize instructions your son/daughter will receive before engaging in any
that I must obey these rules to ensure my own safety, and that of my laboratory work. Please read the list of safety rules above. No
fellow students and instructors. I will cooperate to the fullest extent student will be permitted to perform laboratory activities unless this
with my instructor and fellow students to maintain a safe lab contract is signed by both the student and parent/guardian and is on
environment. I will also closely follow the oral and written file with the teacher. Your signature on this contract indicates that
instructions provided by the instructor. I am aware that any you have read this Student Safety Contract, are aware of the
violation of this safety contract that results in unsafe conduct in the measures taken to ensure the safety of your son/daughter in the
laboratory or misbehavior on my part, may result in being removed science laboratory, and will instruct your son/daughter to uphold
from the laboratory, detention, receiving a failing grade, and/or his/her agreement to follow these rules and procedures in the
dismissal from the course. laboratory.

Student Signature
Aug 18
Date BE
Parent/Guardian Signature
Aug18
Date