Menlo Science Department Safety Contract

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 for your in this student safety contract. These rules must be followed at all times! Please read through these rules carefully. After reviewing the rules, please have the contract signed by both you and one of your parents or guardians and return to your science teacher.

I. General Guidelines

1. Wear proper eye protection at all times during laboratory activity.

Know the location of eye wash equipment.

2. Confine or securely tie hair that reaches to shoulders. Remember

hair is very flammable (and it does not smell too good on fire)!

3. Do not eat food, drink beverages, or chew gum in the laboratory. Do

not use laboratory glassware as containers for food or beverages.

Never use mouth suction to fill a pipette. Use a pipette pump.

4. Perform only those experiments authorized by the instructor.

Carefully follow all instructions, both written and oral. Unauthorized

experiments are prohibited.

5. 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, such

as books, purses, backpacks, etc. should be stored in a designated

area by the teacher.

6. Footwear that completely covers the feet is mandatory. Open-toed

shoes or sandals are not allowed in the laboratory.

7. Do not use the sink to discard matches, filter paper or insoluble

solids. Us the waste containers that are provided.

8. Do not return chemicals to their original containers unless you are

specifically instructed to do so.

9. Never point the open end of a test tube being heated at yourself or

others.

10. 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.

11. Know the locations of fire extinguisher, fire blanket, eye wash, safety

shower, and first aid kit.

II. Accidents and Injuries

1. Report any accident (spill, breakage, etc.) or injury (cut, burn, etc.) to

the instructor immediately, no matter how trivial it may appear.

2. If a chemical should splash in your eye(s) or on your skin,

immediately flush with running water from the eye wash station or

safety shower for at least 20 minutes. Notify the instructor

immediately.

3. When mercury thermometers are broken, mercury must not be

touched. Notify the instructor immediately.

THE PURPOSE OF THE CONTRACT IS TO MAKE THE STUDENT AWARE OF HIS/HER RESPONSIBILITY FOR LABORATORY SAFETY!

I WILL:

· Follow all instructions given by the teacher.

· Protect eyes, face, hands and body when involved in

science experiments.

· Carry out good housekeeping practices and keep

my laboratory work area neat and orderly.

· Know the location of first aid, eye wash and fire

extinguisher.

· Conduct myself in a responsible manner at all times.

I, , have read and agree to follow the safety regulations set forth above and on the reverse side of the "contract." I will closely follow the oral and written instructions provided by the teacher.

Date Student Signature Parent Signature