Lab Safety - Science Rules!



Lab Safety

Damonte Ranch HS Safety Guidelines

Science is a hands-on laboratory class. You will be doing many exciting laboratory activities with require the use of hazardous chemicals. Safety in the science classroom is the #1 priority for students, teachers, and parents. To ensure a safe and fun science classroom experience, a list of rules has been developed and provided to you in this student safety contract. These rules must be followed at ALL times.

General Guidelines:

1. Conduct yourself in a responsible manner at all time in the lab.

2. Follow all written and verbal instructions carefully. If you do not understand a direction or part of a procedure, please…ask BEFORE beginning.

3. Never work alone in the lab. No student is allowed to work alone in the laboratory without an instructor present.

4. When you first enter the classroom, do not touch any equipment, chemicals, or other materials in the laboratory area until you are instructed to do so.

5. Do not eat ANY food in lab (that includes gum).

6. Perform only those experiments authorized by the instructor. Never do anything in the laboratory that is not called for in the laboratory procedures or by your instructor. Carefully follow all instruction, both written and oral. Unauthorized experiments are prohibited.

7. Read all procedures thoroughly before beginning any lab experiment or activity.

8. NEVER fool around in the lab. Horseplay, practical jokes, and pranks are VERY dangerous and prohibited.

9. Observe good housekeeping practices. Work areas should be kept clean and tidy at all times. Bring only your lab instructions, worksheets, and/or reports to the work area. Other materials (books, purses, backpacks, etc) should be left at your desk. Keep aisles clear…push chairs under lab desk when not in use.

10. Know where all lab safety equipment is located (first aid kit, fire extinguisher, eye wash station, emergency shower, fire blanket, and fire exits).

11. Be alert and proceed with caution at all times in the lab. Notify the instructor immediately of any unsafe conditions you observe.

12. Dispose of all chemical waste properly. Never mix chemicals in sink drains. Sinks are to be used only for water and those solutions designated by the instructor. Solid chemicals, metals, matches, filter paper, and all other insoluble materials are to be disposed of in the proper waste containers (not the sink). Check the label of all waste containers twice before adding your chemical waste to the container.

13. Keep hands away from face, eyes, mouth, and body while using chemicals or preserved specimens. Wash your hands with soap and water after performing all experiments. Clean, rinse, and dry all work surfaces and apparatus at the end of the experiment. Return all equipment clean and in working order to the proper storage area.

14. Experiments must be personally monitored at all times. You never know when something might boil over unexpectedly.

15. Students are NEVER allowed in the storage rooms or preparation areas unless given specific permission by the instructor.

16. Know what to do if there is a fire drill during a lab period. Containers must be closed, gas valves turned off, fume hoods turned off, and any electrical equipment turned off.

17. Aseptic technique (hand washing with antibacterial soap before and after the lab, disinfection of tables before and after the lab, and using the proper procedures for handling microbes) should be followed at all times when handling microbes) should be followed at all times when handling bacteria, protozoans, and fungi. Notify your teacher before you begin the lab of any health problems you have which may have compromised your immune system.

18. Never remove chemicals from the laboratory area without proper authorization.

19. Keep stools under benches when not in use.

20. Report open or bandaged cuts to the instructor before class begins.

Clothing:

1. Any time chemicals, heat, glassware, or sharp pointy things are used in the lab, students will wear lab goggles. NO EXCEPTIONS. Violation of this rule will result in points being taken off of you lab.

2. Contact lenses should not be worn in the lab unless you have permission from instructor.

3. Dress appropriately during a lab activity. Long hair, dangling jewelry, and loose or baggy clothing are a hazard in the lab. Shoes also must completely cover the foot (no sandals allowed). Lab aprons have been provided for your use and should be worn during lab activities.

Accidents and Injuries

1. Report any accident (spill, broken glass, etc) or injury (cut, burn, etc) to the instructor immediately, no matter how trivial it may appear.

2. If a chemical should splash in your eye(s) or on your skin, immediately flush with running water from the eyewash station or emergency shower for at least 20 minutes. Notify instructor immediately.

3. If a fire occurs in a beaker or evaporating dish, it can be extinguished by covering the vessel with a watch glass or a wet towel. More extensive fires should be extinguished with a fire extinguisher or a fire blanket.

Handling chemicals and biological materials:

1. All chemicals in the lab are to be considered dangerous. Do not touch, taste, or smell any chemicals unless specifically instructed to do so. Proper technique for smelling chemical fumes will be shown to you.

2. Always check the label on chemical bottles twice before you use them. Do not cross-contaminate chemicals. Proper lid handling will be demonstrated to you. Take only as much chemical as you need. NEVER put “extra” or unused chemicals back into their original container. This can cause contamination of the original chemical.

3. Never use mouth suction to fill a pipet. Use a rubber bulb or pipet pump.

4. When transferring reagents from one container to another, hold the containers away from your body.

5. Acids must be handles with extreme care. When diluting an acid, ADD ACID TO WATER (“A before W”) very slowly and swirl it carefully. Some heat will be generated, so be cautious. DO NOT add water to the acid.

6. Take great care when moving chemical containers from one side of the room to the other. Hold them securely and walk carefully.

7. Disposal of Biohazardous, Radioactive and Hazardous Materials: Dispose of all hazardous materials as directed by your instructor, i.e. blood material in the "BIOHAZARD" bag, needles in the "sharps" container, and broken glass in "broken glass" container. There may also be waste containers for certain chemicals. When in doubt, ask your teacher.

8. Have respect for all living animals that may be used in your research. Also have respect for all living organisms that have given their lives for your education.

Glassware and Equipment:

1. Never handle broken glass with your bare hands. Use a brush and dustpan to collect the broken pieces. Place broken glass in the designated glass disposal container. If the glass is contaminated with chemicals, notify your teacher and do not touch it.

2. Inserting and removing glass tubing from rubber stoppers can be very dangerous. Always lubricate the glassware before attempting to insert it in the stopper. ALWAYS protect your hands with towels or cotton gloves when inserting glass tubing into, or removing it from, a rubber stopper. If a piece of glassware becomes “frozen” in a stopper, take it to your instructor.

3. Fill wash bottles with distilled water only.

4. Examine glassware before each use. NEVER use dirty or cracked glassware.

5. Report damaged electrical equipment (frayed cords, exposed wires, etc) immediately.

6. If you do not understand how to use a piece of equipment, ASK!

7. Do not immerse hot glassware in cold water, as it may shatter. Hot glassware looks just like cold glassware, so check to see if the glass is hot by using the back of your hand (this will be demonstrated to you).

8. When using dissecting equipment, handle all instruments with care, (by the handle or rounded edge) especially scalpels and razor blades.

9. Any misuse of safety equipment will be reported to the administration immediately for disciplinary purposes.

Heating Substances:

1. Be careful when using the Bunsen burner or matches. Take care that hair clothing, and hands are at a safe distance from the flame. Do not put any substances directly into the flame unless specifically instructed to do so. Never reach over an exposed flame. Never start a Bunsen burner unless teacher says you may.

2. Never leave a lit Bunsen burner unattended. Always turn the Bunsen burner or hot plate off when not in use.

3. When heating a test tube, use extreme caution. Do not point the open end of the test tube towards anyone.

4. Heated metals and glassware remain hot for long periods of time. Be careful not to store or put away any hot glassware. Remember: hot glass looks exactly like cold glassware. Your hot plate should be allowed to cool before storing away.

5. Never look into a container being heated.

6. Use tongs or protective gloves when necessary.

Student/Parent Safety Contract

Questions:

1. Do you wear contact lenses?

❑ Yes

❑ No

2. Are you color blind?

❑ Yes

❑ No

3. Do you have any allergies?

❑ Yes

❑ No

If yes, list any: ______________________________________________________________

4. Any other health issues that the teacher should be aware of?

❑ Yes

❑ No

If yes, explain: ______________________________________________________________

AGREEMENT:

I, ___________________________ (print 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 insure my own safety, and that of my fellow students and instructors. I will cooperate to the fullest extent 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.

Student Signature: ____________________________________

Date: __________________________

Dear Parent or Guardian:

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 instruction your son/daughter will receive before engaging in any lab work. Please read the list of safety rules above. No student will be permitted to perform lab activities unless this contract is signed by both the students 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 insure the safety of your son/daughter in the science lab, and will instruct your son/daughter to uphold his/her agreement to follow these rules and procedures in the lab.

Please communicate any additional concerns or questions that you may have on the back of this page.

Parent/Guardian Signature: __________________________________________

Date: __________________________

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