Milton High School Lab Safety Rules
PURPOSE
Science is a hands-on laboratory
class. Some activities require the use
of hazardous chemicals. Safety in the
science classroom is the #1 priority
for students, teachers, and parents.
To ensure a safe science classroom, a
list of rules has been provided to you
in this safety contract. These rules
must be followed at all times. Two
copies of the contract are provided.
One copy must be signed by both you
and a parent or guardian before you
can participate in the laboratory. The
second copy is to be kept in your
science notebook as a reminder of the
safety rules.
GENERAL RULES
Coming into lab:
1. Be prepared by thoroughly reading
and understanding the procedure
before entering the laboratory.
2. Do not bring any food, beverages,
or gum into the laboratory.
3. Bring only lab instructions and
notebooks to the work area. Other
materials (books, purses, backpacks,
etc.) should be stored away from the
laboratory area.
4. Know the locations and operating
procedures of all safety equipment
including the first aid kit, eyewash
station, safety shower, fire
extinguisher, and broken glass
disposal container. Chemistry labs
may also be equipped with fume
hoods and sand buckets (for liquid
spills).
During lab:
5. Act responsibly at all times in the
laboratory – horseplay, practical
jokes, and pranks are dangerous and
prohibited.
6. Follow all written and verbal
instructions carefully. If you are
unsure, ask the instructor before
proceeding.
7. Do not proceed with laboratory
work without an instructor present –
never enter science storage rooms
unless given specific permission by
the instructor.
8. Do not touch any equipment,
chemicals, or other materials until
you are instructed to do so.
9. Perform only experiments
authorized by the instructor – do not
experiment on your own without first
asking permission.
10. Keep work areas clean and tidy,
and keep aisles clear. Push your chair
under the desk when not in use.
11. Be alert and work with your lab
partners to maintain safe conditions .
Notify the instructor immediately of
any unsafe conditions you observe.
12. Read labels and equipment
instructions carefully before use. Set
up and use the prescribed apparatus
as directed.
13. Keep hands away from face,
eyes, mouth and body while using
chemicals or preserved specimens.
14. Stay at your lab station to
monitor your setup. Do not wander
around the room, distract others, or
interfere with other experiments.
After lab:
15. Clean all work surfaces and
equipment, then thoroughly wash
your hands at the end of all
experiments.
CLOTHING
16. Any time chemicals, heat, or
glassware are used, you will wear
laboratory goggles. No exceptions!
17. Dress properly for labs. All
students should wear shoes that
completely cover the foot – no
sandals are allowed. Students with
long hair must tie it back. Do not
wear dangling jewelry or loose /
baggy clothing..
18. Consult your instructor if you
wear contact lenses – certain labs
may involve chemicals where you
should wear glasses instead.
19. Lab aprons are available for use
and may be worn during laboratory
activities. Your instructor will let
you know when aprons are required
to be worn.
ACCIDENTS AND
INJURIES
20. Report any accident (spill,
breakage, etc.) or injury (cut, burn,
etc.) to the instructor immediately, no
matter how trivial it may appear.
21. If a chemical splashes in your
eye(s) or on your skin, immediately
flush with running water. Notify the
instructor immediately – some
dangerous chemicals may need to be
flushed for 20 minutes or more.
HANDLING CHEMICALS
22. All chemicals in the laboratory
are to be considered dangerous. Do
not touch, taste, or smell any
chemicals unless specifically
instructed to do so. Use a wafting
technique for smelling chemical
fumes rather than smelling directly.
23. Check the label on chemical
bottles before removing the contents.
Take only as much as you need.
24. When transferring chemicals
from one container to another, hold
the containers away from your body.
25. Take great care when
transporting chemicals from one part
of the laboratory to another. Hold
them securely and walk carefully.
26. Never dispense flammable liquids
anywhere near an open flame or
source of heat.
27. Never remove chemicals or other
materials from the laboratory area.
28. Dispose of all chemical waste
properly. Follow your teacher’s
directions – generally we use liquids
that can be disposed in the sink.
Sometimes your teacher will instruct
you to dispose of a liquid in a waste
jar. Solids never go in the sink –
they are usually thrown in the trash
can or a designated waste container.
29. Never return unused chemicals to
their original containers. Instead,
dispose of the extra amount properly.
Modified from lab safety contract by Flinn Scientific available at http://www.flinnsci.com/Sections/Safety/safety_contracts.asp
30. In chemistry laboratories, always
add acid to water when diluting a
strong acid solution. Do not add
water to acid.
31. Certain chemistry laboratories
may involve the use of volatile
substances or poisonous vapors.
Make sure to use the fume hood
when working with these chemicals
as your instructor requires.
HANDLING
GLASSWARE
AND EQUIPMENT
32. If glass breaks, do not pick up the
pieces with bare hands. Instead,
notify your instructor, who will use a
brush and dustpan for clean up.
Glass shards can be sharp, and should
be disposed of in the box designated
for broken glass.
33. Examine glassware before each
use. Never use chipped or cracked
glassware. Never use dirty glassware.
34. Report damaged electrical
equipment immediately. Look for
things such as frayed cords, exposed
wires, and loose connections. Do not
use damaged electrical equipment.
35. If you do not understand how to
use equipment, ask the instructor for
help.
HEATING SUBSTANCES
AGREEMENT
39. Exercise caution when using a
gas burner. Take care that hair,
clothing and hands are a safe distance
from the flame at all times. Do not
put any substance into the flame
unless specifically instructed to do
so. Never reach over an exposed
flame. Light burners only as
instructed by the teacher.
I, ___________________________ ,
(student’s name) have read and agree
to follow all of the safety rules set
forth in this contract. I realize that I
must obey these rules to ensure my
own safety, and that of my fellow
students and instructors. I will
cooperate with my instructor and
fellow students to maintain a safe lab
environment. I will also closely
follow the oral and written
instructions provided by the
instructor. I am aware that any
violation of this safety contract that
results in unsafe conduct in the
laboratory or misbehavior on my
part, may result in being removed
from the laboratory, detention,
receiving a failing grade, and / or
dismissal from the course.
40. Never leave a lit burner or
materials being heated unattended.
Turn the burner or hot plate off when
not in use.
41. Do not point the open end of a
test tube being heated at yourself or
anyone else. Never look into a
container that is being heated.
42. Heated metals and glass remain
very hot for a long time. They should
be set aside to cool and picked up
with caution. Use tongs or heatprotective gloves if necessary.
Remember that hot glass looks
identical to cool glass.
Student Signature:
______________________________
Date: _________________
Dear Parent or Guardian:
43. Do not place hot apparatus
directly on the laboratory desk.
Always use an insulating pad. Allow
plenty of time for hot apparatus to
cool before touching it. Do not
immerse hot glassware in cold water;
it may shatter.
If so, list specific allergies
We feel that you should be informed
regarding the school’s effort to create
and maintain a safe science
classroom / laboratory environment.
With the cooperation of the
instructors, parents, and students, a
safety instruction program can
eliminate, prevent, and correct
possible hazards. You should be
aware of the safety instructions your
son / daughter will receive before
engaging in any laboratory work.
Please read the list of safety rules
above. No student will be permitted
to perform laboratory activities
unless this contract is signed by both
student and parent / guardian and is
on file with the teacher. Your
signature on this contract indicates
that you have read this student safety
contract, are aware of the measures
taken to ensure the safety of your
son / daughter in the science
laboratory, and will instruct your
son / daughter to uphold his / her
agreement to follow these rules and
procedures in the laboratory.
______________________________
Parent / Guardian Signature
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
Date: _________________________
36. If there is a fire drill during lab,
secure your station by closing
containers and turning off gas valves,
fume hoods, and any electrical
equipment. Then exit the building by
the designated fire escape route.
QUESTIONS
37. When using knives and other
sharp instruments, always carry with
tips and points pointing down and
away. Always cut away from your
body. Never try to catch falling sharp
instruments. Grasp sharp instruments
only by the handles.
43. Do you wear contact lenses?
38. In life science courses, living
organisms must be used in a humane
manner. Preserved biological
materials are to be treated with
respect.
45. Do you have allergies?
___ YES
___ NO
44. Are you color blind?
___ YES
___ YES
___ NO
___ NO
©
Modified from lab safety contract by Flinn Scientific available at http://www.flinnsci.com/Sections/Safety/safety_contracts.asp