Miami Country Day School

CHEMISTRY

LABORATORY SAFETY AGREEMENT

Name ______

Purpose:

Science is a hands-on laboratory class. You will be doing many lab activities that require the use of hazardous chemicals. Safety in the science classroom is the #1 PRIORITYfor students, teachers and parents. To ensure a safe science classroom, a list of rules has been provided to you in this Chemistry Student Safety Contract. These rules must be followed at all times.

Study this agreement carefully. You must know and follow these procedures throughout the entire year. While working in the laboratory, you will have certain important responsibilities that do not apply in other classrooms. You will be working with materials and apparatus that, if handled carelessly or improperly, have the potential to cause injury.

Place this agreement in the front of your chemistry notebook. Sign and have a parent also sign the agreement and return it to your chemistry teacher by the end of the first week of classes.

Rules:

1. I will follow all lab instructions and safety instructions (printed or verbal) provided by my teacher or any other faculty member or administrator. I have been shown the safety features of the laboratory and understand how to use them. If you do not understand a direction or part of a procedure ask your teacher before proceeding.

2. I will protect eyes, face, hands and body, when involved in science experiments. Safety goggles must be worn during experiments (unless told otherwise). Proper school footwear must be worn during labs at all times. No book bags are allowed anywhere in the Laboratory area.

3. I will not eat, drink, or chew gum in the laboratory. I will not taste anything in the lab. No chemicals are ever to be taken from the laboratory.

4. I know where to get help quickly.

5. I know the location of first aid, eye wash, safety shower, fire blanket and fire extinguisher. If chemicals do get into my eyes I will immediately go to the eye wash and flush my eyes until my teacher informs me to stop doing so.

6. I will conduct myself in a reasonable manner at all times.

7. I will do only assigned experiments in the manner prescribed. Unauthorized experiments are prohibited. I will prepare for each lab activity by reading all instructions before coming to class. I will follow directions implicitly and intelligently.

8. I will not engage in rough play of any kind.

9. I will avoid inhaling chemical fumes and avoid filling pipettes by using my mouth. I will consider all chemicals dangerous unless they are known to be otherwise. I will never sniff chemicals directly, but only by fanning the vapors toward my nose (wafting) when instructed to smell chemicals.

10. I will notify the teacher immediately in case of any accident. I will report any spills to my teacher immediately.

11. I will not use the sink to discard any materials unless told to do so by my teacher.

12. I will not return chemicals to their original container unless specifically instructed to do so.

13. I will maintain sanitary conditions in the laboratory by cleaning equipment and work surfaces after use and by cleaning and storing equipment in my lab drawer. I will wash my hands after every lab period. I will not eat nor drink from any lab equipment.

14. I will attempt to keep any long hair tied back and loose sleeves rolled up during all experiments.

15. I will handle toxic or flammable substances with extreme care. I will follow the advice of my teacher as to the use of all substances for a particular experiment.

16. I will be sure that all gas valves, electrical connections and water faucets are turned off at the end of the laboratory experiment.

17. I will report broken equipment to my teacher immediately. Do not attempt to pick up any broken glassware.

18. I will not do anything that may jeopardize the safety and well-being of everyone else.

19. I will not sit on the top of desks or on the lab table.

Chemistry Safety Agreement

I, ______, HAVE READ AND AGREE TO FOLLOW THE

(print student's name)

SAFETY REGULATIONS SET FORTH IN THIS CONTRACT. I UNDERSTAND THAT FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE RULES SET FORTH MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF LABORATORY PRIVILEGES WHICH COULD AFFECT MY GRADE. I WILL PAY FOR THE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF ANYTHING THAT I DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF INAPPROPRIATE OR UNAUTHORIZED USE.

______

Student SignatureDate

Dear Parent or Guardian:

We feel that you should be informed regarding the school’s effort to create and maintain a safe science classroom/laboratory experience. 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. Please read the list of safety rules above. 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 contract indicates that you have read this Student Safety Contract, 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 SignatureDate