The King’s Christian School Science Lab Safety Rules and Recommendations
For all students, faculty and staff using the science lab
1. No food or drink is allowed in the science lab. No gum chewing.
2. Be polite – no pushing, shoving, or horseplay.
3. Students are not allowed in the laboratory without a teacher present. No one who is not enrolled in
the science class is allowed in the laboratory.
4. Before each procedure, read, reread, and understand all instructions and procedures before carrying
out the experiment. Do only what you are instructed by your teacher to do.
5. Always wear goggles when you work with chemicals, hot liquids, or other materials that could harm
you, or when the teacher/instructor requests it for any reason. Use caution when working with organic
solvents if you wear contact lenses (especially soft lenses) – if you are in doubt about what chemicals
you are working with ask the instructor.
6. Wear gloves while working in the laboratory. Please let us know if you have an allergy to latex.
7. If you have allergies or asthma or think you might be pregnant please inform the instructor.
8. Always wear closed toed shoes and long pants or a long skirt during labs to protect your feet and legs
from spills. Tie or pin long hair out of the way to avoid contact with flames or chemicals. Do not wear
bulky clothing or long/dangling jewelry.
9. Immediately alert your teacher to any spills, especially concentrated acid/base spills, or spills on skin or
clothing. All accidents, no matter how insignificant, should be reported immediately.
10. Never taste or smell ANY chemicals unless the teacher tells you it is safe to do so. To safely smell an
odor from a chemical, waft it: use your hand to wave vapors towards your nose. Do not inhale deeply. Do
not put your face near the chemicals.
11. Be sure you know how to use equipment before beginning an experiment. If you are unsure – ASK!
12. Mouth pipetting or dinking of solutions is strictly prohibited.
13. Broken glassware or sharp metal pieces should be placed in “sharps” boxes (also labeled “broken
glass”) unless it is contaminated with body fluids or microorganisms. Contaminated sharps should be
placed in an appropriate labeled metal or glass container for sterilizing.
14. Organic fluids (e.g., ether acetone, chloroform) or other volatile liquids should be used inside a fume
hood.
15. Review chemical safety guidelines before handling chemicals. Read the label on a reagent bottle
carefully before using the chemical. After removing the chemical from the bottle, check to make sure
that it is the correct chemical for that procedure.
16. To avoid contamination, do not return unused chemicals to a reagent bottle. Similarly, never put a pipet,
spatula, or dropper into a reagent bottle. Instead, pour some of the reagent into a small clean beaker and
use that as your supply.
17. Chemical wastes should never be placed in a sink drain. Please consult the teacher for all disposal
instructions.
18. After each lab procedure, wash hands diligently with soap and water.
19. When heating a liquid, turn the container away from yourself and others. Use tongs to handle hot
glassware.
20. When heating a flammable liquid, use a hot plate instead of an open flame.
21. When diluting acids, always pour acids slowly into the water and stir to get rid of any generated
heat. CAUTION: Water should never be poured into concentrated acid.
22. Be aware of where safety equipment (eyewash fountains, fire extinguishers) is located. Know how to
use the equipment.
I acknowledge that I have received and read the lab safety guidelines for The King’s Christian School
science lab. Further, by signing below, I agree to abide by these policies and my teacher’s instructions
for safety. I understand that I can be asked to leave the lab if safety guidelines are not followed.
Student Name________________________________________
Student signature________________________________________
Parent Signature ________________________________________
Please note below if you have an allergy to latex or wear contact lenses.