LHS Chemistry Student Safety Contract

Safety in the chemistry classroom is a priority for students, teachers, and parents.  To ensure a safe chemistry classroom, a list of rules has been developed and provided to you in this student safety contract.  These rules must be followed at all times.  This copy will have to be signed by you and your parents before you will be allowed to conduct any laboratory experiments.  

 

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General Guidelines
1. Conduct yourself in a responsible and mature manner at all times in the laboratory.
2. Do not eat food, drink beverages, or chew gum in the laboratory.  Do not use glassware as containers for food or beverages.
3. Perform only those experiments authorized by the instructor.  Never do anything in the laboratory that is not called for in the procedures or by your instructor.  Carefully follow all instructions, both written and oral. Unauthorized experiments are prohibited.
4. Know the locations and operating procedures of all safety equipment including the first aid kit, eyewash station, safety shower, fire extinguisher, and fire blanket.  Know where the fire alarm and exits are located.
5. Dispose of all chemical waste properly. Never mix chemicals in the sink drains.  Solid chemicals, metals, matches, filter paper, and all other insoluble materials are to be disposed of in the proper waste containers, not the sink.
6. Keep all hands away from face, eyes, mouth and body while using chemicals.  Wash your hands with soap and water after performing all experiments.  Clean (with detergent), rinse and wipe dry all work surfaces at the end of the experiment.  Return all equipment clean and in working order to the proper storage area.
7. Experiments must be personally monitored at all times. Do not wander around the room, distract other students, or interfere with the laboratory experiments of others.
8. Know what to do if there is a fire drill during the laboratory period; containers must be closed, gas valves turned off, fume hoods turned off, and any electrical equipment turned off.
Clothing
9. Any time chemicals, heat, or glassware are used, students will wear laboratory goggles.
10. Contact lenses should not be worn unless you have permission from your laboratory instructor.
11. Dress properly during a laboratory activity.  Long hair must be tied back and dangling jewelry and loose clothing must be secured. Shoes must completely cover the foot.  Sandals are not allowed.
12. Report any accident or injury to the instructor immediately.
13. 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 instructor immediately.
Handling Chemicals
14. All chemicals in the laboratory are to be considered dangerous.  Do not touch, taste, smell any chemicals unless specified by instructor to do so.
15. Never return unused chemicals to their original containers.
16. 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, especially with sulfuric acid.
17. Never remove chemicals or other materials from the laboratory area.
Handling Glassware
18. Never handle broken glass with your bare hands.  Use a brush and dustpan to clean up broken glass.  Place broken or waste glassware in the designated glass disposal container.
19. Examine glassware before each use.  Never use chipped or cracked glassware.  Never use dirty glassware
20. If you do not understand how to use a piece of equipment, ask the instructor for help.
Heating Substances
21. Never leave a lit burner unattended.  Never leave anything that is being heated or visibly reacting unattended. Always turn the burner or hot plate off when not in use.
22. Do not point the open end of a test tube being heated at yourself or anyone else.
23. Heated metals and glass remain hot for a long time.  They should be set aside to cool and picked up with caution.  To determine if an object is hot, bring the back of your hand close to it prior to grasping it.

 

 

I, ____________________, 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 instructor.  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 the 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  Parent/Guardian Signature Date


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