Student Lab Safety Contract

Page High School Chemistry

Purpose:
The chemistry curriculum at Page High School is a hands-on laboratory experience. You (the student) will be
doing many experiments involving the use of potentially hazardous materials. Safety in the science classroom is
the number one priority for students, teachers, and parents. To ensure a safe science classroom, a set of rules has
been developed and is called the Lab Safety Contract. These rules must be followed at all times. Additional
safety instructions will be given for each activity. We ask that you and your parent/guardian read these rules
carefully and sign the agreement to abide by these rules at all times in any science classroom. Without this
signed agreement, you will not be allowed to participate in laboratory activities and will lose credit for these
activities.

Safety Rules:
1. Perform only authorized and supervised experiments.
2. Conduct yourself in a responsible manner at all times in the classroom.
3. Read the procedure ahead of time; ask questions if you are unclear about anything.
4. Know the locations of all safety equipment and how to utilize this equipment. These include, but are not
limited to, the fire extinguisher, safety shower, fire blanket, eyewash station, first-aid-kit, fire alarm and
exits.
5. Follow all written and verbal instructions, if you do not understand a procedure or part of the
instructions, ask the instructor before proceeding.
6. Wait to touch the materials until after all instructions have been given.
7. Chemical can easily get into food or drink that is brought into the lab, therefore it is important that NO
FOOD OR DRI NK BE BROUGHT I NTO OR CONSUMED I N THE LABORATORY AREA (this
includes bottled water and chewing gum).
8. Use chemical containers and glassware only for their intended purpose.
9. Do not engage in horseplay such as tickling, throwing objects, squirting water, etc. Some of the most
serious lab accidents have resulted due to this type of behavior. Misbehavior such as horseplay could
result in your dismissal from the classroom and you may not be allowed to participate in future labs and
activities.
10. Keep the aisles and work areas free from clutter; put your book bags and other material away or in the
classroom area.
11. Keep all chemicals, lab equipment, supplies, or specimen in the science classroom. Handle all lab
materials carefully so they remain in good condition. Never return chemicals to a stock bottle.
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 in the
sink.
13. Never taste or directly inhale chemicals.
14. Double-check labels before using chemicals. Always label chemicals.
15. Stay out of the chemical storage rooms unless grated special permission by the instructor.
16. Know what to do if there is a fire drill during a laboratory period; containers must be closed, gas valves
turned off, fume hoods turned off, any electrical equipment turned off.
17. Wash your hands with soap and water after performing all experiments. Clean (with detergent), rinse
and wipe dry all work surfaces (including the sink) and apparatus at the end of the experiment. Return
all equipment clean and in working order to the proper storage area.
18. Do not leave a laboratory experiment unattended (especially those involving heating or chemical
reactions). For example, when using a Bunsen burner or heating something, all members of the group
should remain with the experiment even if the bell rings signifying a break.
19. Report an accident or spill to the instructor no matter how trivial it may appear.
20. Any time chemicals, heat or glassware are used, students will wear laboratory goggles. There will be no
exceptions to this rule!
21. Dress properly during a laboratory activity. Long hair, dangling jewelry, and loose or baggy clothing
are a hazard in the laboratory. Long hair must be tied back and dangling jewelry and loose or baggy
clothing must be secured. Shoes should completely cover the foot.
22. When heating chemicals in a test tube, always point the mouth of the tube away from yourself and
others.
23. Keep combustible materials away from open flames.
24. If your skin comes into contact with a corrosive chemical, wash it with water for at least 15 minutes.
25. If a chemical gets in your eye, use the eyewash station for at least 15 minutes.
26. Personal electronic devices (cell phones, MP3 players, ear buds, etc.) will NOT be allowed in lab.
27. When transferring reagents from one container to another, hold the containers away from your body.
28. When removing 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.
29. Remember, hot glass and metal look exactly the same as cool glass and metal. Determine if an object is
hot by bringing the back of your hand close to it prior to grasping it.
30. Never look into a container that is being heated.
31. Do not immerse hot glassware in cold water; it may shatter.
32. Examine glassware before each use. Never use chipped or cracked glassware. Never use dirty
glassware.
33. Never handle broken glass with your bare hands.
34. Know the correct procedure for mixing acid solutions. ALWAYS add the acid slowly to the water.
Never add water to a large amount of acid.
35. Do not let the potential hazards listed above make you afraid to participate in the lab. If instructions are
followed and care is taken, the likelihood of an accident is greatly reduced. Labs are usually the most
fun-filled part of any science course.








After reading the Student Lab Safety Contract, please complete the questions below and sign this
agreement.
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 specific allergies:



STUDENT AGREEMENT

I, _____________________ (students name) have read and agree to follow all of the safety rules set forth
in the Student Lab Safety 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 any oral and written instructions
additionally provided by the instructor as part of a specific activity. 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 science departments effort to create and maintain a safe
science classroom/laboratory environment.
With the cooperation of the instructors, parents, and students, a safety instruction contract can eliminate,
prevent, and correct possible hazards.
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 student in the laboratory, and will instruct your student to uphold
his/her agreement to follow these rules and procedures in the laboratory.


________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian signature

________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name (Print)

________________________________________________
Date