Flinn Scientific's Student Safety Contract   Please read, sign and return to Mr. Lallas

Purpose:

Science is a hands-on laboratory class. You will be doing many laboratory
activities which require the use of hazardous chemicals. Safety in the
science classroom is the #1 priority for students, teachers, and parents. To
ensure a safe science 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. 

General Guidelines 

1. Conduct yourself in a responsible manner at all times in the laboratory. 
    Pay attention to the instructor when safety rules are being explained.
    Good behavior, respect for others, and a positive attitude are necessary. 

2. Follow all written and verbal instructions carefully. If you do not
understand a direction or part of a procedure, ask the instructor before
proceeding.  

3. Never work alone. No student may work in the laboratory without an
instructor present. 

4. 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. 

5. Do not eat food, drink beverages, or chew gum in the laboratory. Do not
use laboratory glassware as containers for food or beverages. 

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 instructions, both written and oral.
Unauthorized experiments are prohibited. 

7. Be prepared for your work in the laboratory. Read all procedures
thoroughly before entering the laboratory. Never fool around in the
laboratory. Horseplay, practical jokes, and pranks are dangerous and
prohibited. 

8. Observe good housekeeping practices. Work areas should be kept clean
and tidy at all times. Bring only your laboratory instructions, worksheets,
and/or reports to the work area. Other materials (books, purses,
backpacks, etc.) should be stored in the classroom area. 

9. Keep aisles clear. Push your chair under the desk when not in use. 

10. 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 the exits are located. 

11. Always work in a well-ventilated area. Use the fume hood when working
with volatile substances or poisonous vapors. Never place your head into
the fume hood. 

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

13. 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. Check the label of all waste containers twice
before adding your chemical waste to the container. 

14. Labels and equipment instructions must be read carefully before use.
Set up and use the prescribed apparatus as directed in the laboratory
instructions or by your instructor. 

15. 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 (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. 

16. Experiments must be personally monitored at all times. You will be
assigned a laboratory station at which to work. Do not wander around the
room, distract other students, or interfere with the laboratory experiments
of others. 

17. Students are never permitted in the science storage rooms or
preparation areas unless given specific permission by their instructor. 

18. 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,
and any electrical equipment turned off. 

19. Handle all living organisms used in a laboratory activity in a humane
manner. Preserved biological materials are to be treated with respect and
disposed of properly. 

20. When using knives and other sharp instruments, always carry with tips
and points pointing down and away. Always cut away from your body.
Never try to catch falling sharp instruments. Grasp sharp instruments only
by the handles. 

Clothing 

21. Any time chemicals, heat, or glassware are used, students will wear
laboratory goggles. There will be no exceptions to this rule! 

22. Contact lenses should not be worn in the laboratory unless you have
permission from your instructor. 

23. 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 must completely cover the foot. No sandals allowed. 

24. Lab aprons have been provided for your use and should be worn during
laboratory activities. 

Accidents and Injuries 

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

26. If you or your lab partner are hurt, immediately yell out "Code one,
Code one" to get the instructor's attention. 

27. 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. 

28. When mercury thermometers are broken, mercury must not be touched.
Notify the instructor immediately. 

Handling Chemicals 

29. All chemicals in the laboratory 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. 

30. Check the label on chemical bottles twice before removing any of the
contents. Take only as much chemical as you need. 

31. Never return unused chemicals to their original containers. 

32. Never use mouth suction to fill a pipette. Use a rubber bulb or pipette pump.

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

34. 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. 

35. Handle flammable hazardous liquids over a pan to contain spills. Never
dispense flammable liquids anywhere near an open flame or source of heat.

36. Never remove chemicals or other materials from the laboratory area. 

37. Take great care when transferring acids and other chemicals from one
part of the laboratory to another. Hold them securely and walk carefully. 

Handling Glassware and Equipment 

38. Carry glass tubing, especially long pieces, in a vertical position to
minimize the likelihood of breakage and injury. 

39. 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. 

40. Inserting and removing glass tubing from rubber stoppers can be
dangerous. Always lubricate glassware (tubing, thistle tubes,
thermometers, etc.) before attempting to insert it in a 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 for removal. 

41. Fill wash bottles only with distilled water and use only as intended, e.g.,
rinsing glassware and equipment, or adding water to a container. 

42. 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. 

43. Examine glassware before each use. Never use chipped or cracked
glassware. Never use dirty glassware. 

44. Report damaged electrical equipment immediately. Look for things such
as frayed cords, exposed wires, and loose connections. Do not use
damaged electrical equipment. 

45. If you do not understand how to use a piece of equipment, ask the
instructor for help. 

46. Do not immerse hot glassware in cold water; it may shatter. 

Heating Substances 

47. 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 (or alcohol) burners only as
instructed by the teacher. 

48. Never leave a lit burner unattended. Never leave anything that is being
heated or is visibly reacting unattended. Always turn the burner or hot plate
off when not in use. 

49. You will be instructed in the proper method of heating and boiling liquids
in test tubes. Do not point the open end of a test tube being heated at
yourself or anyone else. 

50. 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. 

51. Never look into a container that is being heated. 

52. Do not place hot apparatus directly on the laboratory desk. Always use
an insulating pad. Allow plenty of time for hot apparatus to cool before
touching it. 

53. When bending glass, allow time for the glass to cool before further
handling. Hot and cold glass have the same visual appearance. Determine if
an object is hot by bringing the back of your hand close to it prior to
grasping it. 

Agreement to safety rules and general conduct in biology:

I,                            (studentīs name) have read and agree to follow all of the 

safety rules set forth in biology.   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. 

Questions 

Do you wear contact lenses?   YES              NO
Are you color blind?                YES             NO
Do you have allergies?             YES             NO
If so, list specific allergies:

Student Signature:                                               Date:

Dear Parent or Guardian:

We feel that you should be informed regarding the schoolīs 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 instructions your son/daughter will
receive before engaging in any laboratory work. No student will
be permitted to perform laboratory activities unless this contract
is signed by both the student and parent/guardian and is on file with the teacher. 

Your signature on this indicates that you have discussed the importance of 
safety in the laboratory with your son/daughter are aware of the measures 
taken to insure the safety of your son/daughter in the science laboratory, 
and will instruct your son/daughter to uphold his/her agreement to follow 
these rules and procedures in the laboratory. 

Parent/Guardian Signature:                                        Date: