Durham District School Board - Science Safety Procedures
“The 2008 Ontario Science curriculum document defines scientific literacy as “the possession of the
scientific knowledge, skills and habits of mind required to thrive in the science-based world of the twentyfirst century”. Hands-on activities and demonstrations are an essential component of any effective
science program. These activities engage students in the study of science and promote the development
of the skills and habits of mind required to make them scientifically literate. (Science Teachers
Association Ontario SafeOnScience 2010)
The following DDSB Science Safety Procedures have been developed to ensure that handson/laboratory/field activities are performed in the safest way possible. Your teacher will provide
additional, more specific procedures before performing activities involving new materials, equipment, or
techniques. These procedures must be followed at all times.
Your teacher will discuss the DDSB Science Safety Procedures with you in class and will answer any
questions you might have about them. Please ensure that you speak to your teacher to have your
questions answered. Your teacher will perform an initial assessment of your understanding of the DDSB
Science Safety Procedures. Subsequent assessments will occur throughout the course, when
appropriate.
After you have reviewed the DDSB Science Safety Procedures with your teacher, read and review them
with your parent/guardian. Your signature and parent/guardian signature signify that each of you
understand the DDSB Science Safety Procedures and that you promise to abide by them at all times.
Permission forms with both signatures must be submitted to your teacher before participating in any
hands-on/laboratory activities.
I have read and fully understand the DDSB Science Safety Procedures. I agree to follow the DDSB
Science Safety Procedures at all times. I acknowledge that these rules are necessary to prevent
accidents and to ensure my own safety and the safety of others around me. I will follow all additional
safety procedures given to me by my teacher. I understand that I must ask my teacher about any
procedures that are not clear to me. I understand that I must adhere to the DDSB Science Safety
Procedures if I am to perform hands-on/laboratory activities in the laboratory/classroom/field.
_______________________
Student Name
_______________________
Student Signature
_____________
Date
_______________________
Parent/Guardian Name
_______________________
Parent/Guardian Signature
_____________
Date
Adapted from the Science Teacher’s of Ontario (STAO) SafeOnScience document 2010.
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Durham District School Board - Science Safety Procedures
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Safety Procedure
Reason for Procedure
Always listen to instructions. Always follow
instructions.
Always act sensibly in the laboratory.
Only perform authorized experiments under
teacher supervision.
Never enter a chemical storage room or prep
room.
Report all accidents, spills and breakage to
your teacher immediately.
Keep lab benches and the floor clear of coats
and bags.
Always keep your laboratory work area clean
and tidy, and put things away when your
experiment is complete.
Never eat or drink in the laboratory.
This will help to prevent accidents.
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Use the gas, electricity, water, and electric
heaters for authorized experiments only.
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When conducting an experiment, always stand
up; never sit down.
Always wear personal protective equipment
(safety goggles/glasses, laboratory aprons,
protective gloves) when instructed by your
teacher. Continue to wear your personal
protective equipment until your teacher informs
you that it is safe for it to be removed.
Never attempt to handle broken glass. Alert
your teacher immediately.
Always wear appropriate laboratory dress
when performing hands-on/laboratory
activities.
a. Footwear must cover the
entire foot (no sandals).
b. Long hair must be tied back
and secured.
c. Do not wear loose or baggy
clothing or dangling jewelry.
Know the location of all safety equipment in
the laboratory/classroom. This includes…
a. Eye wash stations.
b. Fire extinguishers.
c. The fume hood.
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d. The safety blanket. Used to
extinguish fires by smothering
them.
Know the location of emergency master
electric and gas shut offs and exits.
This will prevent tripping, falling, spillages and breakage.
This will prevent damage and injury to yourself and
others.
This will prevent personal injury.
This will prevent any further damage or injury.
This will prevent accidents caused by tripping and
spillages.
This will prevent accidents to you and others.
This will prevent infections and poisoning. Many
chemicals are poisonous.
This will prevent damage to yourself, your classmates
and to the equipment through fire, electric shocks, and
burns.
You can then move out of the way more quickly in the
event of an accident, such as a spill.
This will prevent you from being injured.
This will prevent cuts to yourself and others.
This will prevent cuts and burns.
This will prevent contamination and personal injury.
This will reduce fire and choking hazards.
Used to flush contaminants from the eyes.
Used to fight fire of specific materials.
Used to prevent the release of toxic/contaminated fumes
into the laboratory.
Not to be used on people.
Used to extinguish fire and prevent electric shocks.
August 2018
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