Safety Regulations for Science Students

While working in the science laboratory, you will have certain important responsibilities that do not apply to other classrooms. You will be working with materials and apparatus that have the potential to cause injury or discomfort to someone else as well as yourself.

A science laboratory can be a safe place in which to work if you, the student, are foresighted, alert, and cautious. Violating any of the following regulations will result in you being suspended from class or permanently removed from the class. The following practices will be followed:

1. An instructor must be present during the performance of all laboratory work.

2. Report any accident to the teacher immediately, no matter how minor, including reporting any burn, scratch, cut, or corrosive liquid on skin or clothing.

3. Prepare for each laboratory activity by reading all instructions before coming to class. Follow all directions implicitly and intelligently. Make note of any modification in procedure given by the instructor.

4. Any science project or individually planned experiment must be approved by the teacher.

5. Use only those materials and equipment authorized by the instructor.

6. Inform the teacher immediately of any equipment not working properly.

7. Clean up any non-hazardous spill on the floor or workspace immediately.

8. Wear appropriate eye protection as directed by the instructor. Safety goggles must be worn during hazardous activities involving caustic/corrosive chemicals, heating of liquids, and other activities that may injure the eyes.

9. Students should preferably wear regular glasses (inside splash‑proof goggles, when appropriate) instead of contacts during all class activities.

10. Students with open skin wounds on hands must wear gloves or be excused from the laboratory activity.

11. Never carry hot equipment or dangerous chemicals through a group of students.

12. Check labels and equipment instructions carefully. Be sure correct items are used in the proper manner.

13. Be aware if the chemicals being used are hazardous. Know where the material safety data sheet (MSDS) is and what it indicates for each of the hazardous chemicals you are using.

14. Never taste anything or touch chemicals with the hands, unless specifically instructed to do so.

15. Test for odor of chemicals only by waving your hand above the container and sniffing cautiously from a distance.

16. Eating or drinking in the laboratory or from laboratory equipment is not permitted.

17. When heating material in a test tube, do not look into the tube or point it in the direction of any person during the process.

18. Never pour reagents back into bottles, exchange stoppers of bottles, or lay stoppers on the table.

19. When diluting acids, always pour acids into water, never the reverse.

20. Wash hands as necessary and wash thoroughly at the conclusion of the laboratory period.

21. To treat a burn from an acid or alkali, wash the affected area immediately with plenty of running water. If the eye is involved, irrigate it at the eyewash station without interruption for 15 minutes. Report the incident to your instructor immediately.

22. Know the location of the emergency shower, eyewash and facewash station, fire blanket, fire extinguisher, fire alarm box, and exits.

23. Know the proper fire and earthquake drill procedures.

24. Roll long sleeves above the wrist. Long, hanging necklaces, bulky jewelry, and excessive and bulky clothing should not be worn in the laboratory.

25. Confine long hair during a laboratory activity.

26. Wear shoes that cover the toes, rather than sandals, in the laboratory.

27. Keep work areas clean. Floors and aisles should be kept clear of equipment and materials.

28. Use a burner with extreme caution. Keep your head and clothing away from the flame and turn it off when not in use.

29. Use a fire blanket (stop, drop, and roll) to extinguish any flame on a person.

30. Dispose of laboratory waste as instructed by the teacher. Use separate, designated containers (not the wastebasket) for the following:

· Matches, litmus paper, wooden splints, toothpicks, and so on

· Broken and waste glass

· Rags, paper towels, or other absorbent materials used in the cleanup of flammable solids or liquids

· Hazardous/toxic liquids and solids

31. Take only laboratory manuals and notebooks into the working area.

32. Students are not permitted in laboratory storage rooms or teachers' workrooms without the approval of the teacher.

33. Determine whether an object is hot by bringing the back of your hand close to the object.

34. Remove all broken glass from the work area or floor as soon as possible. Never handle broken glass with bare hands; use a counter brush and dustpan.

35. Report broken glassware, including thermometers, to the instructor immediately.

36. Operate electrical equipment only in a dry area and with dry hands.

37. When removing an electrical plug from its socket, pull the plug, not the electrical cord.

38. Treat all animals in the science laboratory humanely.

39. Always approach laboratory experiences in a serious and courteous manner.

40. Always clean the laboratory area before leaving.

41. When heating volatile or flammable materials, use a water bath; that is, heat the materials in or over heated water, using a hot plate to heat the water. Extinguish all open flames.

42. Exercise caution in using scissors, scalpels, dissecting needles, and other sharp‑edged instruments. Pass them with handles extended when handing them to other persons.

43. Wash all sharp‑edged and pointed instruments separately from other equipment.

44. Use great care when working with ether or other volatile liquids. Windows and doors should be opened for greatest possible ventilation. Be sure that caps or lids of containers used for chemicals are securely closed.

48. Never handle animals in the laboratory unless directed to do so by the instructor.

49. Never bring animals or poisonous plants to school.

50. Never open petri dishes containing bacterial or fungal growth unless directed to do so by the instructor.

51. Dispose of all discarded bacterial and fungal cultures by sterilization as directed by the instructor.

52. Use the fume hood whenever noxious, corrosive, or toxic fumes are produced or released.

53. Be sure all glassware is clean before use. Clean glassware thoroughly after use. Residue may cause errors in new experiments or cause a violent reaction or explosion.

The following actions will result in both immediate removal from class as well as being dropped from the class:

Lifting the plastic cover and /or pushing the “Big Red Button” in the front of the classroom.

Throwing or tossing any object or item in the science classroom or laboratory

Misuse of safety equipment including, but not limited to

eyewash stations

emergency showers

fire extinguishers

fire blanket

Removal of any materials or equipment from the classroom or laboratory

Vandalizing school equipment or furniture.

Endangering or causing harm to others.

Note: Persistent or willful violation of the regulations will result in the loss of laboratory privileges and possible dismissal from the class. Please see the "Student Safety Contract."

Student Safety Contract

Student's name:____________________________________________

School:____________________ Teacher: _________________________ Date: _________________

The student has received specific instruction regarding the use, function, and location of the following:

Aprons, gloves

Chemical‑spill kit

Eye‑protective devices (goggles, face shield, safety shield)

Eyewash fountain, drench spray, and drench shower

Fire extinguisher

Fire blanket

First‑aid kit

Heat sources (burners, hot plate, microwave) and techniques in their use

Material safety data sheets (MSDSs)

Waste‑disposal containers for glass, chemicals, matches, paper, wood

The student will abide by the "Safety Regulations for Science Students" to prevent accidents and injury to herself or himself and others and will:

· Follow all additional instructions given by the teacher.

· Conduct herself or himself in a responsible manner at all times in the laboratory.

List below any special allergies or sensitivities (e.g., to plants, animals, pollen, foods, chemicals, bee stings) that may affect the student's safety in the laboratory or on field trips:

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Check this box if the student wears contact lenses:

Student's Statement

I have in my possession and have read the "Safety Regulations for Science Students" and agree to abide by them at all times while in the laboratory. I have received specific safety instruction as indicated above.

______________________________________________________ _____________________

Signature of student Date

Parent's or Guardian's Statement

I have read the "Safety Regulations for Science Students" and give my consent for the student who has signed the preceding statement to engage in laboratory activities using a variety of science equipment and materials, including those described. I pledge my cooperation in urging that she or he observe the safety regulations prescribed.

______________________________________________________ _____________________

Signature of parent or guardian Date

Return the completed and signed form to _______________________ by _________________.