Safety+Contract

STUDENT SAFETY CONTRACT Harmon Middle School Science Department

PURPOSE Science is a hands-on laboratory class.Safety in the science classroom is the #1 priority for students, teachers, and parents. Although we attempt to make every laboratory as safe as possible, there is always risk associated with these activities.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.Failure to abide by these rules will result in your removal from class.You and a parent or guardian must sign a safety contract that states you have read and agree to abide by these rules **before** you will be permitted to participate in any laboratory activity.The contract should be kept in your science notebook as a constant reminder of the safety rules.

GENERAL GUIDELINES
 * 1) Conduct yourself in a responsible manner at all times in the laboratory.
 * 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.
 * 12) <span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Be alert and proceed with caution at all times in the laboratory.Notify the instructor immediately of any unsafe conditions you observe.
 * 13) <span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Dispose of all chemical waste properly.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.
 * 14) <span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Labels and equipment instructions must be read carefully before use.Set up and use the materials and equipment as directed in the laboratory instructions or by your instructor.
 * 15) <span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Keep 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 (including the sink) at the end of the experiment.Return all equipment clean and in working order to its proper location.
 * 16) <span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">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) <span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Students are never permitted in the science storage room or preparation room unless given specific permission by their instructor.
 * 18) <span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Know what to do if there is a fire drill during a laboratory period.
 * 19) <span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">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) <span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">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.Grab sharp instruments only by the handles.

<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">CLOTHING <span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES
 * 1) <span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Any time chemicals, heat or glassware are used, students will wear laboratory goggles.There will be no exceptions to this rule!
 * 2) <span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">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.Appropriate foot-ware as required by the teacher.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Lab aprons have been provided for your use and should be worn during laboratory activities.
 * 1) <span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Report any accidents (spill, breakage, etc.) or injury (cut, burn, etc) to the instructor **immediately**, no matter how trivial it may appear.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">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.

<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">HANDLING CHEMICALS
 * 1) <span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">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.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Check the label on chemical bottles twice before removing any of the contents.Take only as much chemical as you need.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Never return unused chemicals to their original containers.
 * 4) <span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Acids must be handled with extreme care.Always add acid to water, swirl or stir the solution and be careful of the heat produced.
 * 5) <span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Never remove chemicals or other materials from the laboratory area.
 * 6) <span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Take great care when transferring materials and other chemicals from one part of the laboratory to another.Hold them securely and walk carefully.

<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">HANDLING GLASSWARE AND EQUIPMENT
 * 1) <span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">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.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">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.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Examine glassware before each use.Never use chipped or cracked glassware.Never use dirty glassware.
 * 4) <span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Report damaged electrical equipment immediately.Look for things such as frayed cords, exposed wires, and loose connections.Do not use damaged electrical equipment.
 * 5) <span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">If you do not understand how to use a piece of equipment, ask the instructor for help.
 * 6) <span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Do not immerse hot glassware in cold water; it may shatter.

<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">HEATING SUBSTANCES
 * 1) <span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">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.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">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.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">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.
 * 4) <span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">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.
 * 5) <span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Never look into a container that is being heated.

//<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Adopted from Flinn Scientific Inc. Student Safety Contract. //

Here is an electronic copy of the Safety Contract