Science

 and  Laboratory  Safety  Rules  

Science  is  a  hands-­‐on  laboratory  class.  You  will  be  doing  many  laboratory  activities  which  require  the  use  of  hazardous  
chemicals  and  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.  
 
General  Safety  Rules:  
1. The  safety  rules  are  NOT  flexible.  All  persons  will  follow  all  the  rules  all  the  time.  
2. Always  read  through  the  experiment  before  beginning.  Note  any  hazards  or  cautions.  
3. Do  NOT  perform  unauthorized  experiments.  
4. Never  put  anything  in  your  mouth  to  taste  or  eat  in  the  laboratory  unless  you  are  specifically  told  to  do  so.  
5. Never  eat  or  drink  food  in  the  laboratory.  Do  NOT  eat,  drink  or  cook  in  any  laboratory  equipment.  
6. Report  all  accidents  immediately  to  the  instructor.  
7. Report  all  spills  to  the  instructor  immediately…  he/she  will  figure  out  how  to  clean  it  properly.  
8. Know  the  location  of  the  safety  equipment:  
 
• first  aid         ____________________________________________________________  
• eyewash       ____________________________________________________________  
• fire  blanket       ____________________________________________________________  
• fire  extinguisher     ____________________________________________________________  
9. Remain  at  your  designated  lab  table,  except  to  obtain  necessary  lab  equipment  or  materials.  
10. Always  use  clean  laboratory  equipment.  
11. Never  leave  equipment  unattended,  especially  open  flames  and  chemicals.  Never  leave  any  hot  plates,  gas  burners  
or  water  faucets  on  for  longer  than  necessary.  
 
Dress  Code:  
12. Use  goggles  while  performing,  observing,  or  supervising  activities  that  involve  hazards  to  the  eyes.  
13. Wear  older  clothing  (if  possible),  closed-­‐toed  shoes,  and  secure  any  loose  sleeves  or  jewelry  before  beginning.  
14. Long  hair  must  be  tied  back  and  must  be  kept  out  of  the  way  of  flames,  hot  plates  and  chemicals…  Remember,  hair  
burns  better  than  paper  and  most  hair  products  are  extremely  flammable.  
 
Heating  and  Fire  Safety:  
15. Do  NOT  heat  chemicals  unless  told  specifically  to  do  so.  A  chemical  that  is  harmless  while  cool  can  be  dangerous  
when  heated…like,  BOOM!!!  
16. Keep  your  work  area  clean  and  free  from  unnecessary  papers,  books  and  equipment.  
17. Never  position  the  mouth  of  the  test  tube  towards  yourself  or  anyone  else  while  heating  a  substance  in  it.  
Remember…  burns  and  scars  can  be  permanent.  
18. Some  equipment  may  not  seem  hot  by  looking  at  it,  but  can  cause  extreme  burns.  “Feel”  for  heat  before  touching  
anything  that  might  have  been  heated,  or  use  a  clamp  or  tongs.  
19. Do  NOT  heat  a  liquid  in  a  closed  container.  The  expanding  gases  produced  may  blow  the  container  apart,  injuring  
people…  causing  permanent  scars  and/or  burns!  
 
Using  Chemicals  Safely:  
20. Handle  all  toxic  and  flammable  substances  with  care  and  in  well-­‐ventilated  areas.  
21. Never  taste,  touch  or  smell  unknown  chemicals.  Waft  any  chemicals  that  need  to  be  smelled.  
22. Keep  all  container  lids  closed  when  a  chemical  is  not  being  used.  
23. Never  pour  chemicals  back  into  the  STOCK  container.  Take  only  the  amount  you  need  and  pour  any  excess  down  
the  drain,  or  in  a  specified  container.  
24. Use  a  suction  bulb  pipette  (or  eyedropper)  to  transfer  chemicals.  Never  transfer  substances  by  mouth.  
25. When  diluting  an  acid,  always  pour  the  acid  into  water;  never  water  into  acid!  
26. Be  extra  careful  when  using  acids  or  bases.  If  any  acids  or  bases  get  on  your  skin  or  clothing,  rinse  them  immediately  
with  lots  of  cold  water.  
Using  Glassware  and  Sharp  Instruments  Safely:  
27. Clean  all  glassware  carefully  and  thoroughly,  do  not  leave  any  soap  or  oily  residue  on  glassware.  
28. Do  NOT  attempt  to  dry  out  test  tubes  or  other  glassware  by  forcing  paper  towels  into  them.  Simply  let  them  air  
dry.  
29. Do  NOT  force  glass  tubing  into  stoppers.  Use  a  drop  of  water  or  glycerin  and  wrap  a  towel  around  the  tube  to  
prevent  cuts.  
30. Properly  dispose  of  broken  glassware.  Never  leave  broken  glassware  or  attempt  to  hide  it  by  kicking  it  under  
something  or  sweeping  it  into  a  sink.  Tell  the  instructor  about  broken  glassware  immediately!  
31. Handle  scalpels  and  razors  with  extreme  care.  Always  cut  away  from  yourself.  
 
Working  with  Live  Organisms:  
32. No  experiments  that  will  cause  pain,  discomfort  or  harm  to  animals  should  be  performed.  
33. Clean  your  hands  thoroughly  after  handling  any  organisms  or  materials  the  organisms  came  in  contact  with.  
 
General  End-­‐of-­‐Experiment  Procedures:  
34. Clean  your  work  area  at  the  conclusion  of  the  experiment  as  you  instructor  directs.  
35. Do  NOT  put  anything  in  the  sinks,  such  as  trash,  pieces  of  food,  or  any  paper  products.  
36. Wash  your  hands  before  and  after  every  experiment.  
 
Science  and  Laboratory  Safety  Contract:  
 
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.  
 
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  
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  Science  and  Laboratory  
Safety  Rules  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  ____________