Laboratory Safety Rules
1. Do not enter the chemical storage area or
teacher preparation room without authorization.
2. Do not run, play practical jokes, or engage in
horseplay in the laboratory.
3. Do not eat, drink, or chew gum in the laboratory.
4. Do not taste any chemicals.
5. Your working area should not be cluttered with books or clothing.
6. Be alert and work carefully at all times in the laboratory. Take care not to bump into
any other students. Remain at your station while performing an experiment. An
unattended experiment can produce unwanted results.
7. When instructed to smell chemicals, never smell them directly. Hold the container
5 cm in front of your nose and let diffusion bring the vapours to your nose. Use the
fume hood when directed to do so.
8. While doing experiments, keep your hands away from your face and eyes. Wash
your hands thoroughly at the end of each laboratory period.
9. Dispose of all chemicals in the containers provided by your teacher.
10. Never return any unused chemicals to their original containers. This could cause
contamination! Do not place anything in a reagent bottle except the dropper or
scoopula provided.
11. Discard paper, matches (properly extinguished), and other insoluble solids in the
waste container provided. Do not throw them in the sink!
12. At the end of the laboratory period, wash and rinse all glassware and return all
equipment to the proper location. Wash and wipe off your desktop. Be sure that the
gas and water are turned off.
13. Do not bring any substance in contact with a flame, unless specifically instructed to
do so.
14. Never boil a liquid in a closed system. Boiling chips should always be used to
facilitate smooth boiling.
15. When heating a liquid in a test tube, make sure the test tube is not pointed at
anyone.
16. Use extreme caution when using a burner. Never leave a burner flame unattended.
Loose clothing should NOT be worn in the laboratory, long hair MUST be tied back
to keep it away from the burner flame. If your burner is not operating properly, turn
off the gas and notify the teacher immediately.
17. Be wary of hot glass. Hot glass and cold glass look exactly alike; however, they can
be distinguished by bringing the back of your hand near the glass. Bathe skin burns
in cold water. If the skin is charred or broken, seek medical help immediately.
18. SAFETY GLASSES MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES DURING AN EXPERIMENT.
19. Know the location and proper use of the exits, safety shower, eye wash, fire blanket,
fire extinguisher, and telephone in the laboratory.
FAILURE TO ADHERE TO THE ABOVE SAFETY RULES WILL RESULT IN
THE REMOVAL OF THE STUDENT FROM THE SCIENCE LABORATORY ON
THE DAY OF THE INFRACTION AND FOR THE NEXT SCHEDULED
LABORATORY PERIOD.
A SECOND SAFETY VIOLATION WILL RESULT IN THE REMOVAL OF THE
STUDENT ON THE DAY OF THE INFRACTION AND REMOVAL FROM ALL
SUBSEQUENT SCHEDULED LABORATORY PERIODS.
I have read and understand the above safety rules and hereby agree to abide by them.
I understand any safety violation will result in my being removed from the science
laboratory.
I understand that being removed from a laboratory session, for a safety violation, will
result in a zero (0) grade on the corresponding lab report and any missed lab reports due
to suspension of laboratory privileges.
______________________________________________________
Student Signature
________ ________________________
Date
______________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature
________ ________________________
Date