SAFETY RULES
Working in a science laboratory is normally safe, IF you follow safety guidelines and use common sense. To ensure your
personal safety and the safety of others, you need to reduce the risks associated with laboratory work. Risk in the science lab can
come from either physical or chemical hazard. Chemical hazards result from exposure to hazardous chemicals from absorption
through skin or eye contact, inhalation, ingestion, or injection. Physical hazards include falls, cuts, eye injury, electrical shock,
fire, etc.



























REPORT any injury (cut, burn, etc.), accidents or unsafe conditions to your teacher IMMEDIATELY.
FIND OUT from your teacher how to get his or her attention in an emergency and then use this method LOUDLY but
ONLY IN AN EMERGENCY.
During science laboratory, place your backpack, books, etc. on your desk seat so that we can move around the room
safely and we have access to emergency exits.
PROTECT YOUR EYES. To keep your eyes from being damaged by chemicals, appropriate eye protection must be
WORN AT ALL TIMES in the laboratory. Chemical splash goggles provide maximum protection from splashes.
Contact lenses should not normally be worn unless approved by your teacher. If you need to momentarily remove your
goggles, step significantly away from the lab area.
WEAR APPROPRIATE PROTECTIBE CLOTHING. Chemicals can burn or irritate the skin. Some chemicals are
readily absorbed through the skin and enter your body. Exposed skin is at risk so dress appropriately. Aprons can
protect good clothing. Loose clothing should not be worn because it may dip into chemicals or fall into a flame and
catch fire.
WEAR SHOES that cover your feet. Sandals and open-toes shoes do not protect your feet from broken glass and
spilled chemicals, hazards frequently found in science laboratories.
DO NOT EAT, DRINK, OR APPLY COSMETICS while in laboratory. These activities are ways by which you can
accidentally ingest harmful chemicals.
DO NOT TASTE any chemical.
DO NOT SMELL chemicals directly. Smell a chemical ONLY if your teacher specifically tells you to do so, then use
your hand to fan the vapor to your nose.
DO NOT PIPETTE solutions by MOUTH. Use a rubber suction bulb or other device to fill a pipette.
KEEP YOUR HANDS AWAY from your face, eyes, mouth and body while using chemicals or preserved specimens.
WASH YOUR HANDS with soap and water before leaving the laboratory if chemical or biological materials have
been used. This rule applies even if you have been wearing gloves.
KNOW THE HAZARDS of the materials being used. Read labels carefully to make sure you are using the right
chemical. Remember that hot and cold glassware looks the same so allow ample time for cooling. Do not immerse hot
glassware in cold water; it may shatter.
TIE BACK LOOSE HAIR. Dangling hair can fall into a Bunsen burner and catch on fire or can fall into a chemical
solution.
KNOW THE SAFETY EQUIPMENT. Know the location of eyewash fountains, safety showers, fire blankets, fire
extinguisher, first-aid kits, and emergency exits. Know how to respond in case of an emergency. Know how to use the
safety equipment.
KNOW WHAT TO DO IF THERE IS A FIRE DRILL or alarm during the laboratory period: containers must be
closed, gas valves turned off, fume hoods turned off, and electrical equipment turned off.
Carry out ONLY THE EXPERIMENTS ASSIGNED by your teacher. Never perform unauthorized experiments.
To better understand lab procedures and safety issues, COME PREPARED to the laboratory by completing any
assigned pre-lab materials. If you do not understand how to use a piece of equipment, ask the teacher for help.
REPORT any damage or missing equipment to your teacher.
Students ARE NEVER PERMITTED IN THE SCIENCE STORAGE rooms or preparation areas unless given specific
permission by their instructor.
NEVER REMOVE CHEMICALS or equipment from the laboratory.
Never work in the laboratory unless authorized to do so by your teacher. NEVER WORK ALONE in the laboratory. In
case of a problem, you may need another person to prevent injury or even to save your life.
NEVER ENGAGE IN HORSEPLAY, games, or pranks in the laboratory. Remember that the laboratory is a place for
serious work. Careless behavior can endanger both yourself and others and WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.
DO NOT TOSS lab equipment around or use it to poke or prod someone else. Remember that our laboratory
environment is crowded and that careless actions may have unintended, dangerous side effects.
DO NOT MANIPULATE gas jets, showers, faucets, computers, or other equipment except as part of tour specific lab.
DEMONSTRATE SAFE BEHAVIOR. Obey all safety instructions given by your instructor or found in your
experiment procedure. Clean up spills immediately. If you are uncertain how to clean up a spill or if a large spill
occurs, notify your instructor immediately. Before leaving the laboratory, return equipment and chemicals to their
proper place. Clean up your work area.
DISPOSE o fall waste materials according to your teacher’s instructions.
This contract and list of safety rules was adapted from a document provided by Flinn Scientific.
SAFETY CONTRACT
I, _____________________________________________________________________, a student at Glenbard West High
School, have read and agree to follow all safety rules and regulations given by my teacher. I realize that following these rules is
necessary to ensure the safe operation of the school laboratory and to provide a safe environment, not only for myself, but also
for my fellow students and my teachers as well. I will, therefore, cooperate fully with teachers and students to ensure that all of us
work safely. I will act responsibly to look for possible safety hazards and will immediately point out these hazards to the
instructor. I realize that, as a student, much of the responsibility for safety is in my hands.
I understand that acting in an unsafe manor and/or violations of these rules may result in:
1.
Immediate removal from the laboratory.
2.
Loss of laboratory privileges.
3.
Loss of credit or grade.
4.
Disciplinary action by the Dean’s office.
5.
Notification of parent or guardian.
CONTACT LENS WEARERS
Wearing contact lenses in the laboratory is the subject of controversy
because of he extra risk they create in case chemicals enter the eye. Some
experts believe that contacts should never be worn in the laboratory. Other
experts believe that contact lenses can be worn with proper eye protection.
I will wear contact lenses I the laboratory. Yes _____ No _____. If yes, I
realize the hazards associated with the use of contact lenses and will strictly
adhere to the eye protection requirements.
Signed: __________________________________________________________ (student) Date: __________________________
I, _______________________________________, parent or guardian of
_______________________________________, have read this safety contract
and the attached rules. I give my permission for my child or ward to enroll in
this science course.
Signed: __________________________________ (parent/guardian)
Date: ________________________
This contract and list of safety rules was adapted from a document provided by Flinn Scientific.