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Science Laboratory Safety Agreement
6th Grade Science
The Scientific Laboratory is a place of adventure and discovery. Some of the most important events is scientific history have
happened in laboratories. The antibiotic powers of penicillin were discovered in a laboratory. The plastics used today for clothing
and other products were first made in a laboratory. The list is endless.
One of the first things any scientist learns is that working in a laboratory can be an exciting experience. However, the laboratory can
also be quite dangerous if proper safety rules are not followed AT ALL TIMES. In order to prepare yourself for a safe year in the
laboratory, read over the following safety rules. Then read them a second time. Make sure you understand each rule. Ask your
teacher to explain any rules you are unsure of. When you are satisfied that you are aware of the rules on this list sign the contract in
the place provided.
Teachers and parents are an integral part of safety education. The teacher will stress the importance of safety by modeling
appropriate safety precautions in ALL LABORATORY SITUATIONS. Parents will stress the importance of safety by helping their
student maintain compliance with the sated policies and instructions given by the teacher before any lab activity.
These rules must be followed at all times. Students and parents should sign the contract and return it to their teacher. The teacher
should keep the front page of this contract for each student on file for the entire year. The rules part of the contract should be
placed in the student’s science lab notebook for easy reference.
I (student name) ____________________________________________ have read all the safety rules attached in
this safety contract and agree to follow all of them in order to insure my safety as well as safety of others in the
laboratory class. I will also follow the instructions of my science teacher regarding laboratory d safety procedures.
I realize that any violation of these safety rules will result in my being removed from the laboratory environment.
(STUDENTS/PARENTS) PLEASE ANSWER THE
Students will be removed from the Science laboratory by
FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:
the teacher if;
Do you wear contacts?
A. Personal appearance or dress is not in
_______Yes ________No
compliance with the stated dress code.
Are you color blind?
B. They are behaving in such a manner which could
_______Yes ________No
cause injury to themselves or other students.
Do you have allergies?
C. They are not following the prescribed safety rules
________Yes _______No
for the science activity.
If yes, please explain the,:
D. They are going beyond the limits of the science
activity which may cause an unsafe situation.
____________________________________
E. They have not complete the pre-experience
Any medical conditions?
activities’ that will allow them to work safely
____________________________________
Parents, it is important that you are informed about SMS attempt to maintain a safe science laboratory for your
student. Please read the rules in the safety contract attached. Students are not permitted to work in the science
laboratory if both the student and parent/guardian do not sign this agreement. Your signature indicates that you
have read and understand the safety rules in the contract attached and have discussed them with your child. It
also indicates that you realize that he violation of the safety rules could possible result in student removal from the
laboratory activities.
____________________________________________________________________________________Parent/Guardian Name (Print) Parent/ Guardian Signature
Date
Home Phone:
Work Phone:
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Science Laboratory Safety Agreement
6th Grade Science
PLEASE NOTE:
These are general safety rules for any
science classroom. Some of these rules may
not apply to the level of instruction that your
child will received this school year while
others may be added as necessary for the
science discipline that the students is taking
for that year.
GENERAL GUIDELINES:
1. Personal Protective Equipment
Many materials in the lab can cause
eye injury. ALWAYS WEAR
APPROVED SAFETY GOGGLES.
2. PROPER DRESS is a necessity. Long
hair, dangling jewelry, loose and
baggy clothing are hazardous in the
lab. Long hair must be tied back,
dangling jewelry must be removed
and loose clothing should be
removed or secured. No sandals
are allowed in the lab, shoes must
cover the entire foot. Long pants
(skirts of mid calf length) should be
worn when using hazardous
chemicals or heated substance. (No
shorts, no skirts above the knee).
Fingernails of extreme length WILL
NOT BE ALLOWED in the lab.
Synthetic fingernails are very
flammable. Makeup and hair spray
may NEVER be applied in lab area.
3. Responsible conduct is expected at
all times in the lab. Horseplay, loud
talking, joking and pranks are
dangerous and not allowed in the
lab.
4. DO NOT TOUCH lab equipment,
chemicals, or materials until you are
instructed to do so or have been
given permission to do so
5. Read all lab procedures carefully
and thoroughly before attempting
the lab. Listen alertly at the Pre-lab
briefing. Follow the directions
exactly as they are written.
6. Follow oral and written directions
explicitly. If you do not understand
any part of a procedure, ask your
instructor to explain it to you.
.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
Never work alone in a lab. A
science teacher must be
present during laboratory
experiences.
Never eat, drink or chew gum
in the lab.
Perform only teacher
authorized activities
Keep your workplace clean
and clear of purses, books,
jackets, etc. Take only your
lab report to the area.
Know the location and how
to use all of the safety
equipment (goggles, aprons,
eyewash, fore blanket, fire
extinguishers, first aid kit, fire
alarm, emergency phone,
which teacher to go to for
help)
Contact the teacher
immediately if you spill any
material or see any unsafe
activity
Dispose of all chemicals as
instructed in the pre-lab
procedure. Never pour
chemicals down the sink.
Never dispose of solid
materials in the sink; place
them is waste containers
provided by the teacher
.
14. Work in ventilated areas. Do
not place your head under the
fume hood.
15. Keep the lab aisles clear.
Stools should be placed under
the desks when they are not
being used.
16. Read all directions and labels
carefully. Set up equipment
as instructed by your teacher
17. Do not move around the lab
Stay at your station and
monitor your experiment so
other students are not
disturbed.
18. No students are to be allowed
access to the science storeroom
unless specific permission has
been given.
19. Know what to do if a fire drill
occurs during the period.
20. All living and preserved
organisms should be handled in
a humane manner. Handle and
dispose of preserved materials
as instructed by your teacher.
21. Wash your hands after working
in the lab. Keep your hands
away from your face, eyes,
mouth and body during lab
experiences especially if you are
using chemicals. After lab, clean
your work area and return all
equipment clean.
.
22. Handle scalpels or razor blades
with extreme care. Never cut
materials towards you: always
cut away from you. Hold sharp
instruments by their handle.
Properly mount dissecting
specimens to the dissecting pan
before making a cut
23. Contact lenses are a hazard in
the science laboratory. They should
not be worn in the lab unless you
have permission from your doctor.
24. Never touch, taste, or smell any
chemical.
Many chemicals are
poisonous. To note the fumes in an
experiment, gently wave your hand
over the opening of the container
and direct the fumes toward your
nose. Do not inhale the fumes
directly.
25. Move acids from one place to
another with great care. Pour acids
and bases over the sink rather than
the lab bench.
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Science Laboratory Safety Agreement
6th Grade Science
47. Never leave a flame unattended. Turn
the burner off when not in use.
26. Read all chemical labels twice. Only
remove what you need for the experiment.
37. Turn off all power when setting up
electrical equipment
27. Do not return excess chemicals to the
stock reagent bottle. This will contaminate
the bottle. Always use different spatula for
different chemicals.
38. Never eat to drink form laboratory
glassware. Clean glassware before
putting it away.
48. Always point a test tube that is being
heated away from you and others. Move the
test tube while heating, rather than holding it
still.
39. When disconnecting a piece of
electrical equipment pull the plug and
not the wire. Hands should be dry before
touching an electrical outlet, plug, or
switch.
49. Always use a clamp or tongs when
handling hot containers. HOT glassware
looks the same as cold glassware. Set it aside
and check the heat by putting the back of
your hand near it.
40. Batteries should never be
intentionally shorted. The heat generated
in a bare copper wire paced directly across
the battery terminals can causes severe
burns, If a mercury dry cell is shorted an
explosion can occur.
50. Never look into a container that is being
heated.
41. Never deliberately shock yourself or
another person. Never put any object in
an electrical outlet. Susceptibility to shock
and the possible resulting injury is
unpredictable.
End of Experiment Rules
28. Use a pipette bulb.
solutions using your mouth
Never pipette
29. To transfer reagents from one bottle to
another, pour away from you body. Your
teacher will demonstrate proper procedure
for removing the stopper form the reagent
bottle and how to hold it while pouring the
liquid. Never interchange stoppers from two
different containers.
30. Handle acids with care. When diluting
an acid, always pour the acid into water.
31. Keep all flammable liquids away from
open flames.
HANDLING GLASSWARE AND
EQUIPMENT
32. Never remove chemicals or lab
materials from the laboratory33. Carry
glass tubing and glassware in a vertical
position
34. Never handle broken glassware with
bare hands. Inform your teacher and
dispose of broken glassware as instructed.
35. Glass tubing will not be inserted into
rubber stoppers by students. Teachers or
lab managers will insert glass tubing into
rubber stoppers by using a lubricant and
protecting hands with paper towels,
instructors will remove “frozen: glassware.
36. Wash bottles are only for the purpose
intended. (rinsing glassware equipment,
adding water) Fill them only with distilled
water.
42. Examine all glassware before use.
Never use chipped, cracked or broken
glassware for heating. Be sure all
glassware is clean and dry.
43. Notify your teacher of damaged
laboratory equipment immediately. Look
for frayed cords, exposed wires, chips,
cracks, etc. Never use damaged electrical
equipment.
44. If you are not familiar with a piece of
equipment, ask the teacher for help.
45. Do not place hot glassware in cold
water, it may shatter.
46. Use care when using a gas burner.
Clothing and hair should be away from the
flame, never reach over an open flame; use
safety goggles. Light burners as instructed
by the teacher.
51. Place heated containers on an insulated
pad. Never place a hot container on the lab
desk.
52. Always clean your work area and return
equipment to its proper place.
53.
Wash your hands after every lab
experience.
54. Make sure all candles and burners are
turned off before leaving the lab.
Accidents and injuries:
Report any accident (spill, break, etc) or
injury (cut, burn, etc.) to the teacher
immediately, even if it seems insignificant.
If anyone is hurt yell out “Code One,
Code One” to get your teachers attention.
If chemicals get splashed in your eyes or
skin, begin to rinse with running water from
the safety shower or eyewash station for at
least 20 minutes. Notify your teacher
immediately.
If a mercury thermometer is broken – notify
the teacher immediately. Mercury can only be
cleaned with a Mercury spill kit