Safety Regulations for Science Students

A science laboratory can be a safe place to work if you, the student, are foresighted, alert, and cautious. The following practices will be followed:

1. Report any injury or accident to the teacher immediately, no matter how minor. This includes any burns, scratch, cut, or caustic/corrosive liquid on skin or clothing.

2. Perform only those laboratory activities for which instructions and permission have been given by the teacher. Never carry out unauthorized, unassigned , or "volunteer" experiments.

3. Use only materials and equipment authorized by the instructor. Never play with laboratory equipment or materials.

4. Follow written and verbal instructions carefully. Wait until you are told to begin before starting any laboratory activity.

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

6. 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.

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

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

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

10. Always test for odor of chemicals by waving your hand above the container and sniffing cautiously from a distance, this is called wafting.

11. Never pour reagents back into stock bottles, it is better to waste a small amount than to contaminate the entire supply.

12. Reagent bottles are to be protected from contamination. Never exchange stoppers or lids of bottles or lay them on the table.

13. Many chemicals absorb moisture from the air. Always put the lids or stoppers back on stock bottles immediately when you are finished.

14. Keep hands away from face, eyes, and body while using solutions, specimens, equipment, or materials in the laboratory. Wash hands thoroughly at the conclusion of the laboratory period.

15. Know the location of the fire extinguisher, safety shower, eye wash, fire blanket, first aid kit, the fire alarm box, fume hood, and exits.

a. fire extinguisher:

b. safety shower:

c. eye wash:

d. fire blanket:

e. first aid kit:

f. fire alarm box:

g. fume hood:

f. exits:

16. Know the proper fire drill and earthquake procedure.

a. earthquake: crouch get under the desk and cover head, evacuate when directed to do so by instructor

b. fire: evacuate when directed to do so by instructor

c. evacuation procedure: follow plan posted at the door

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

18. Confine or tie back long hair during a laboratory activity.

19. Roll long sleeves up above the wrist. Restrict any loose clothing. Coats and bulky sweaters should be removed.

20. Keep work areas clean as you do the experiment.

21. Light gas burners (Bunsen burners) only as directed by the instructor.

22. Do not throw used matches into waste paper baskets or sinks. A container will be provided for their disposal.

23. Do not throw litmus paper, wooden splints, toothpicks, and so on in sinks. A container will be provided for their disposal.

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

25. Do not bring any substance into contact with a flame unless specifically instructed to do so.

26. When heating material in a test tube, do not look down into the tube while heating it, or point it in the direction of any student during the process.

27. Place books, backpacks, purses and such items in the designated storage area. Take only laboratory manuals and laboratory notebooks into the working area.

28. Student apparel should be appropriate for laboratory work. Long hanging necklaces, bulky jewelry, and excess and bulky clothing should not be worn in the laboratory.

29. Students are not permitted in the laboratory storage rooms or teacher work rooms without the approval of the teacher.

30. Throw all solid waste in designated waste baskets, jars, or other receptacles. Do not discard any solids in the laboratory sinks, especially glass items, such as tubing or cover glasses.

31. Any science project or individually planned experiments must be approved by the teacher.

32. To cut small-diameter glass tubing, use a file or tubing cutter to make a deep scratch. Wrap the tubing in a paper towel before breaking the glass away from you with your thumbs. Fire polish all ends.

33. Use caution and proper equipment to handle hot glass. When bending glass, allow time for the glass to cool before further handling. Hot and cool glass have the same visual appearance. Determine if an object is hot by bringing the back of your hand up close.

34. Sometimes it is necessary to insert glass tubing or pipettes into rubber stoppers. Lubricate stopper hole and glass tubing with water or glycerin to ease insertion. Using towels for hand protection. Carefully twist (never push) glass tubing into stopper.

35. Remove all broken glass from work area or floor as soon as possible. Never handle broken glass with bare hands; use counter brush and dustpan. Dispose of in proper container. Return all chipped and cracked glassware to instructor for replacements.

36. Do not "shake down" thermometers. Thermometers are designed to directly measure temperature at all times.

37. Report broken thermometer to the instructor immediately. Never touch a broken mercury thermometer or any of the broken glass pieces or the mercury that may seep out. Mercury and mercury vapors are hazardous.

38. Be careful with electrical cords. Never leave them where someone might trip over them. Keep the cords away from heat and water.

39. When removing an electrical plug from its socket (outlet) pull the plug, not the electrical cord.

40. Never touch electrical cords or electrical outlets with wet hands.

41. Treat all animals in the science laboratory with respect and consideration for their humane care.

42. Always approach laboratory experiments in a serious and courteous manner. Be considerate of others at all times.

43. Hazardous or toxic liquids should be disposed of properly. Follow the directions of your instructor. Use the fume hood when handling such material.

44. When noxious fumes are being produced, work under the fume hood.

45. Do not leave experiments unattended, especially those involving heat.

46. Always check labels on reagent bottles carefully to be sure you're using the chemicals that are called for.

47. Since the dangers of broken glass and caustic/corrosive liquid spills are always present in a laboratory, open sandals and bare feet are not permitted.

48. At the conclusion of the experiment, make sure your area and equipment are clean. Turn off any gas jets or electrically operated equipment when you have completed the laboratory activity.

49. Keep combustible, flammable or volatile materials from open flames and other heat sources. (Some examples are alcohols, ethers, acetone, gasoline, and carbon disulfide.)

50. Never draw materials into a pipette with your mouth, use a pipette filler.

51. Place ring on ringstand so that the ring is over the base.

52. Acids and bases are very caustic/corrosive and are chemically active. Their activity may cause them to hydrolyze water if they come in contact with it. This will cause them to splatter. To prevent this type of splattering, add acids and bases to water rather than the other way around.

53. In case of a burn from an acid or alkali (base), wash the affected area immediately with plenty of running water. If the eye is involved, irrigate it without interruption for at least 15 minutes. Report the incident to your instructor immediately.

54. If acid is spilled, it can be neutralized with sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), then you may wash off your work area with wet paper towels.

55. If base is spilled, it can be neutralized with dilute acetic acid (vinegar), then you may wash off your work area with wet paper towels.

56. Wear laboratory aprons, safety goggles and gloves when directed to do so.

57. For minor skin burns, flush area with cold water and notify instructor immediately.

58. In the case of accidental poisoning, note the suspected poisoning agent, and save the container. Notify instructor immediately.

59. If someone faints or collapses, provide them with fresh air. Recline in a position so that their head is lower than their body. Notify instructor immediately.

60. In case of severe bleeding apply a compress and pressure directly to the wound. Notify instructor immediately.

61. If clothing or hair catch on fire, STOP, DROP and ROLL. A fire blanket may also be used to help smother the flames. Notify instructor immediately.

62. If a fire starts in an apparatus or chemical, an ABC fire extinguisher should be used. NEVER USE WATER it may react with the burning substance.

STUDENT SAFETY CONTRACT

I will:

1. Follow all instructions given by the instructor.

2. Protect eyes, face, hands, and body while conducting class activities.

3. Carry out good housekeeping practices.

4. Know where to get help.

5. Know the location and use of first-aid and fire-fighting equipment.

6. Conduct myself in a responsible manner at all times in a laboratory

situation.

This is to certify that I, ______________________________________, have

print name

received safety instructions in ____________________________________.

print name of class

My instructor has demonstrated to me how to use materials and equipment

correctly and safely. I have read, studied, and taken my instructor's safety test and agree to abide by the safety regulations and precautions and any additional printed instructions provided by the instructor, school, and/or district. I further agree to follow all other written and verbal instructions given in class.

_____________________________________________ _________________

student signature date