Glastonbury Public Schools
Science Department
GIDEON WELLES SCHOOL
LABORATORY PROCEDURES
AND
SAFETY ACKNOWLEDGMENT FORM
Science activities can be a great learning experience and are designed to be safe.
However, because there are hazards in science classroom/laboratories and greenhouses
which potentially could put occupants at risk, the following procedures must be
followed:
1. Students may not be in a science laboratory without an instructor present.
2. Students are to do only the experiments assigned or approved by the instructor.
Unauthorized experiments are prohibited in that they can be unsafe and cause
serious injury.
3. Respect all equipment, supplies, and fellow laboratory workers. Misuse of
materials, horseplay, or disruptive behavior will result in removal from the
laboratory and other possible disciplinary action.
4. Always prepare for an experiment by reading or listening to the directions BEFORE
you begin.
5. All equipment and supplies must be used only as directed.
6. Keep your materials and work area organized and clean. Books must be stored
under your chair. No backpacks are permitted during science class.
7. Goggles*, gloves, and/or lab aprons, must be appropriately worn as required
throughout the period until your teacher gives permission to remove them.
8. Anyone receiving a splash to the eye must tell the instructor immediately.
9. Open-toed shoes, loose fitting clothing, or dangling jewelry may NOT be worn
during experiments or other laboratory activities.
10. Long hair must be tied back securely during designated laboratory activities.
11. Applying cosmetics, manipulating contact lenses or other potentially unsafe
activities are not permitted in the science laboratory or greenhouse.
12. Do not touch chemicals or solutions with your hands or bring them near your face.
13. Eating or drinking is strictly prohibited in the science laboratory at any time.
14. Avoid spillage. If you do spill something, inform your teacher immediately and
clean it up immediately using proper technique unless otherwise instructed by your
teacher.
G.P.S. Chemical Safety Plan, Revised July 2013
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15. During clean-up time, attend to your assigned area. All duties must be completed
before leaving the laboratory. Discard all waste according to instructions.
16. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water at the conclusion of each lab.
17. Report all accidents, injuries (no matter how minor), breakage or irresponsible
behavior to your teacher.
18. Know the location of all emergency equipment, including: fire blankets, eyewash,
safety shower, fire extinguisher and telephone. Know the procedure for proper use
of each of these items.
19. Pertinent safety procedures and required precautions to be followed for hazardous
materials’ MSDSs and/or SDSs will be reviewed with you by your teacher.
20. Know and practice the emergency exit procedure.
21. Always use good common sense when working in the science laboratory.
22. Dissection:
The Connecticut State Legislature passed a bill regulating exemptions from dissection
activities in schools. It reads:
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly
convened:
Section 1. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2013)
(a) A local or regional school district shall excuse any student from participating
in, or observing, the dissection of any animal as part of classroom instruction,
provided the parent or guardian of such student has requested, in writing,
that such student be excused from such participation or observation.
(b) Any student excused from participating in, or observing, the dissection of any
animal as part of classroom instruction shall be required to complete an
alternate assignment to be determined by the local or regional school district.
Glastonbury Dissection Alternatives Procedure
In concert with the Connecticut Dissection Alternatives Law (effective July 1, 2013),
a GPS science teacher must send the “GPS Dissection Permission/Exemption Form” home for
each student one to two weeks prior to instructional activities related to dissection. The teacher
shall excuse any student from participating in, or observing, the dissection of any animal as part
of classroom instruction, provided the parent or guardian of such student has requested, in
writing, that such student be excused from such participation or observation. Any student
excused from participating in, or observing, the dissection of any animal as part of classroom
instruction shall be required to complete an alternate assignment approved by the GHS Head
Teacher of Science.
G.P.S. Chemical Safety Plan, Revised July 2013
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23. Science department regulation states that safety eye protection (i.e. safety
goggles or glasses) must be worn by all students, teachers and visitors in the
laboratory during work periods INCLUDING CLEAN-UP time in accordance with
State Statute.
Science Department Policy and CT State Statute:
“Any person who is working, teaching, observing, supervising, assisting or engaging in any work,
activity, or study in a public or private elementary or secondary school laboratory or workshop
where the process used tends to damage the eyes or where protective devices can reduce the
risk of injury to the eyes concomitant with such activity shall wear an eye protective device of
industrial quality in the manner in which such device was intended to be worn.”
WHEN IN DOUBT, WEAR GOGGLES!
G.P.S. Chemical Safety Plan, Revised July 2013
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Glastonbury Public Schools
Science Department
PLEASE RETURN THIS SAFETY
ACKNOWLEDGMENT FORM TO
YOUR SCIENCE TEACHER
My signature below confirms that I have read and understand the Gideon Welles School
Laboratory Procedures and Safety Acknowledgement Form and have been present
when they were discussed in class or have discussed them directly with my science
teacher.
Print Name ______________________________________ Period __________________
Student Signature _________________________________Date ___________________
My signature below confirms that I have read and understand the Gideon Welles School
Laboratory Procedures and Safety Acknowledgement Form. Additionally, I have
discussed these rules with my child.
Parent Signature __________________________________Date ___________________
_______ My child wears contact lenses (*Fill out Form #8)
Description of my child’s allergies/sensitivities: _________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
G.P.S. Chemical Safety Plan, Revised July 2013
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