Chemistry Safety Rules
Morrison High School Chemistry Laboratory Safety Contract
You are expected to learn and adhere to the following general safety guidelines to ensure a safe laboratory environment for both yourself and the people you may be working near.
General Guideline
1. Conduct yourself in a responsible manner at all times
2. Read all procedures thoroughly before beginning the lab. if you do not understand the directions, ask the teacher before proceeding.
3. Never work alone. No student may work in the laboratory without a teacher present.
4. When first entering a chemistry classroom, do not touch any equipment, chemicals, or other materials, in the lab area until you are instructed to do so.
5. Do not eat food, drink beverages, or chew gum in the lab. Never use lab glassware as a food or beverage container.
6. Perform only those experiments authorized by the teacher. Never do anythinig in the lab that is not called for in the lab procedures or by your teacher. Carefully follow all instructions, both written and verbal.
7. Unauthorized experiments are prohibited and will result in expulsion.
8. No horseplay, practical jokes or pranks in the lab. They can be dangerous!
9. Work areas should be kept clean and tidy at all times. Keep your stool pushed under your lab table. Bring ONLY your lab instructions and notebook to the work area.
10. Know the locations and operating procedures of all safety equipment including the first aid kit, eye wash station, safety shower, fire extinguisher and fire blanket. Know where teh fire alarm and the exits are located.
11. Always work in a well ventilated area. Use the fume hood when working with volatile substances or vapors.
12. Dispose of all chemical waste properly. Sinks are to be used only for water and those solutions designated by the teacher. Solid chemicals, metals, matches, filter paper, and all other insoluble materials are to be disposed of in the proper waste containers, not in the sink!
13. Keep hands away from your face, eyes, mouth, and body while using chemicals. Wash your hands with soap and water after performing all experiments. Clean (with detergent) 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. Students are never permitted in the science storage rooms or prep rooms unless given specific permission by their teacher.
15. Know what to do if there is a fire drill during a lab period; containers must be closed and gas valves and electrical equipment must be turned off.
Clothing and Goggles
16. Any time chemicals, heat or glassware are used, students must wear lab goggles. There will be no exceptions to this rule!
17. Dress properly during a lab activity. Long hair, dangling jewelry and loose or baggy clothing are hazards in the lab; they must be tied back or secured. Shoes must completely cover the foot and no sandals or flip-flops are allowed during activities.
Accidents and Injuries
18. Report any accident, (breakage, etc.) or injury (cut, burn, etc.) to the teacher IMMEDIATELY, no matter how trivial it may appear.
19. If you or your lab partner is hurt, immediately yell out “Code one, Code one” to get the teacher’s attention.
20. If a chemical should splash 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. Notify the teacher immediately.
Handling Chemicals
21. All chemicals in the lab are to be considered dangerous. Do not touch, taste, or smell any chemicals unless specifically instructed to do so. The proper technique for smelling chemical fumes will be demonstrated to you.
22. Never remove chemicals or other materials from the laboratory area.
23. Check the label on chemical bottles twice before removing any of the contents. Take only as much chemical as you need, and never return unused chemicals to their original containers.
24. Acids must be handled with extreme care. You will be shown the proper method for diluting strong acids. Always add acid to water, swirl or stir the solution and be careful of the heat produced, particularly with sulfuric acid.
25. Handle flammable hazardous liquids over a tray to contain spills. Never dispense flammable liquids anywhere near an open flame or a source of heat.
26. Take great care when transferring chemicals from one part of the lab to another. hold them securely and walk carefully.
Handling Glassware and Equipment
27. Never handle broken glass with your bare hands. Notify your teacher and use a broom and dustpan to clean up broken glass. Place it in the designated glass disposal container.
28. Fill wash bottles only with distilled water and use only as intended i.e. rinsing glassware, and equipment or adding water to a container.
29. Examine glassware before each use. Never use chipped, cracked or broken glassware. Never use dirty glassware.
30. If you do not understand how to use a piece of equipment, ask the teacher for help.
31. Do not immerse hot glassware in cold water; it may shatter.’
32. 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.
Heating Substances
33. Exercise extreme 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 gas burners only as instructed by the teacher.
34. Never leave anything that is being heated or is visibly reacting unattended. always turn the burner or hot plate off when not in use or when you leave the area.
35. Never look into a container that is being heated. You will be instructed in the proper method of heating and boiling liquids in test tubes and beakers. Do not point the open end of the test tube being heated at yourself or at anyone else.
36. 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 heat-protective gloves if necessary.
STUDENT AGREEMENT
Do you wear contact lenses? _________ Are you colored blind? _________ Do you have allergies? _________
If yes to allergies, list specific allergies here .______________________________________________________
I have read and agree to follow all of the safety rules above. I will cooperate fully with my teacher and classmates to maintain a safe lab environment. I will closely follow all verbal and written instructions. I understand that any violation of this safety contract will result in removal from the lab. Further disciplinary action will follow.
____________________________________ __________________________________ _________
Student’s Name (printed) Student Signature Date
____________________________________ __________________________________ _________
Parent Name (printed) Parent Signature Date
*By printing your name on the signature line, you are authorizing you have read and understand the Chemistry Safety Rules.
*adapted from the Flinn Scientific student laboratory safety contract