Because safety is our first concern in the chemistry classroom, all students in every class are expected to abide by the following set of safety rules. In addition, they will need to score at least an 80% on the safety and equipment quiz and return a safety contract that has been signed by both the student and the parent in order to participate in a lab activity. If a student fails to score an 80%, they must continue to retake the quiz until that score has been achieved. Should a student not abide by any of the rules or behave in an inappropriate manner that could compromise the safety of others in the lab, they will receive a zero on the lab assignment and will be required to compose a letter explaining how the behavior could be changed or avoided. This will require a signature from both the student and the parent before proceeding in any future lab exercises.
Safety Rules
Safety Rules
- Conduct yourself in a responsible manner at all times in the laboratory.
- Follow all written and verbal instructions carefully. If you do not understand a direction or part of a procedure, ask the instructor before proceeding.
- Never work alone.
- When first entering a science room, do not touch any equipment, chemicals, or other materials in the laboratory area until you are instructed to do so.
- Do not eat food, drink beverages, or chew gum in the laboratory. Do not use laboratory glassware as containers for food or beverages.
- Perform only those experiments authorized by the instructor. Carefully follow all instructions, both written and oral. Unauthorized experiments are prohibited.
- Reap all procedures thoroughly before entering the lab.
- Never fool around in the laboratory.
- Observe good housekeeping practices.
- Keep aisles clear.
- Know the locations and operating procedures of all safety equipment, including the first aid kid, eyewash station, safety shower, fire extinguisher, and fire blanket.
- Always work in a well-ventilated area. Never place your head in a fume hood.
- Be alert and proceed with caution at all times.
- Dispose of all chemical waste properly. Never mix chemicals in sink drains.
- Labels and equipment instructions must be read carefully before use.
- Keep hands away from face, eyes, mouth, and body while using chemicals. Wash your hands with soap and water after performing all experiments.
- Experiments must be personally monitored at all times.
- Students are never permitted in the science storage rooms or preparation areas unless given specific permission by their instructor.
- Know what to do if there is a fire drill during a laboratory period.
- Any time chemicals, heat, or glassware are used, students will wear laboratory goggles.
- Long hair must be tied back and dangling jewelry and loose or baggy clothing must be secured. Shoes must completely cover the foot.
- Report any accident or injury to the instructor immediately.
- If a chemical splashes in your eye(s) or on your skin, immediately flush with running water from the eyewash station or safety shower for at least 20 minutes.
- Do not touch, taste, or smell any chemicals unless specifically instructed to do so.
- Never return unused chemicals to their original containers.
- Check the label on chemical bottles twice before removing any of the contents.
- Acids must be handled with extreme care. Always add acid to water, swirl or stir the solution and be careful of the heat produced, particularly with sulfuric acid.
- Never dispense flammable liquids anywhere near an open flame or source of heat.
- Never remove chemicals or other materials from the laboratory area.
- Never handle broken glass with your bare hands.
- When removing an electrical plug from its socket, grasp the plug, not the electrical cord. Hands must be completely dry before touching an electrical switch, plug, or outlet.
- Examine glassware before each use. Never use dirty glassware.
- Report damaged electrical equipment immediately.
- Do not immerse hot glassware in cold water.
- Take care that hair, clothing, and hands are a safe distance from a flame at all times. Do not put any substance into the flame unless specifically instructed to do so. Never reach over an expose flame. Light gas (or alcohol) burners only as instructed by the teacher.
- Never leave a lit burner unattended.
- Do not point the open end of a test tube being heated at yourself or anyone else.
- Heated metals and glass should be set aside to cool and picked up with caution.
- Never look into a container that is being heated.
- Do not place hot apparatus directly on the laboratory desk.