Warren East High School Biology Safety Contract
Purpose
Biology is a hands-on laboratory class. You will be doing laboratory activities, which may require the use of potentially hazardous chemicals, equipment, and materials. Safety in the science classroom is the most important priority for students, teachers and parents. To ensure a safe biology classroom, a list of rules has been developed and provided to you in this safety contract. These rules must be followed at all times. Two copies of the contract are provided. Both you and a parent or guardian must sign one copy before you can participate in the laboratory. The second copy is to 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. When first entering a science room, do not touch any equipment, chemicals, or other materials until you are instructed to do so.
4. Do not eat food, drink beverages, or chew gum in the laboratory. Do not use laboratory glassware as containers for food or beverages.
5. Perform only those experiments authorized by the instructor. Never do anything in the laboratory that is not called for in the laboratory procedure or by the instructor. Carefully follow all instructions, both written and oral. Unauthorized experiments are not allowed.
6. Be prepared for your work in the laboratory. Read all procedures thoroughly before entering beginning.
7. Do not engage in horseplay such as tickling, throwing objects, squirting water, etc. Never fool around in the laboratory. Practical jokes and pranks can be dangerous and are not allowed. 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.
8. Know the locations and operating procedures of all safety equipment. Know where the fire alarm and exits are located.
9. Dispose of all wastes properly. Never mix chemicals in the sink. Sinks are to be used only for water. Solids and other wastes are to be disposed of in the waste container.
10. Keep hands away from face, eyes, mouth and body while using chemicals. Wash your hands with soap and water after performing all experiments.
11. Clean, rinse, and wipe dry all work surfaces and apparatus at the end of the experiment. Return all equipment (clean) to the proper storage area.
12. Experiments must be personally monitored at all times. You will be assigned to a work area. Do not wander around the room, distract other students, or interfere with other’s experiments.
13. Work areas should be clean and tidy at all times. Only lab procedures, lab notebooks, pencils and sometimes calculators should be brought to the work area.
14. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before leaving the lab.
15. Notify your teacher of any sickness or pregnancy.
Clothing
16. Any time chemicals, heat, or glassware are used, students will wear goggles. NO EXCEPTIONS!!
17. Dress properly during a laboratory activity. Long hair, dangling jewelry, and loose or baggy clothing are hazards in the laboratory.
18. Closed toed shoes should be worn.
Accidents and Injuries
19. If you cut yourself, spill a chemical on yourself, or receive a burn by touching a hot object, run cold water over the affected area, and you or your partner notify your teacher immediately.
20. Report any accident (spill, breakage, etc.) or injury (cuts, burns, etc.) to the instructor immediately, no matter how minor it may appear.
21. If a chemical splashes 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.
Handling Chemicals
22. Do not taste, touch, or smell any reagents unless directed to do so by your teacher. When smelling chemicals or gases, use a wafting motion to direct the odor toward your nose.
23. All chemicals in the laboratory are to be considered dangerous. Do not touch, taste or smell any chemicals unless specifically instructed to do so.
24. Never return unused chemicals to their original containers.
25. Never remove chemicals or other materials from the laboratory.
26. Handle chemicals carefully. Check the label of all bottles before removing the contents. Take only as much as your need. Report all spills or incorrect procedures to the teacher.
Handling Glassware and Equipment
27. Never handle broken glass with your bare hands. Use a brush and dustpan to clean up broken glass. Place broken glassware in the designated container.
28. Examine glassware before each use. Never use chipped, broken, or dirty glassware.
29. If you do not understand how to use a piece of equipment, ask the instructor for help.
30.Breakage fees for glassware and equipment broken due to misuse will be charged to the student(s) responsible for the broken item(s) at the replacement cost.
Heating Substances
31. Exercise extreme care when using fire or hot plates, and never leave them unattended. Always turn them off when not in use. Keep your head and clothing away from the flame and turn off the burner when it is not in use. Long hair should be tied back to avoid it catching on fire. If your clothing should catch fire, stop, drop, and roll while your lab partner notifies the instructor. Before leaving the lab, check to see that all gas valves and hot plates are turned off.
32. Heated metals and glass remain hot for a long time. They should be set aside to cool and picked up with caution. Use tongs or heat-protective gloves. Do not place hot glass in cold water.
33. Never look into a container that is being heated.
34. When heating a substance in a test tube, be careful not to point the mouth of the test tube at another person or yourself.
Biological Specimens
35. All specimens, whether living or preserved, will be treated with respect and used only for educational purposes.
Questions
1. Do you wear contact lenses? □Yes □No
2. Are you color blind? □Yes □No
3. Do you have allergies? □Yes □No If yes, list specific allergies: ______
Agreement
I, ______, have read and agree to follow all of the safety policies and procedures set forth in this contract. I realize that I must obey these rules and regulations to insure my own safety, as well as the safety of other students and instructors. I will fully 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 any misbehavior on my part may result in a detention and/or receiving a failing grade for the laboratory activity. In addition, repeated inappropriate conduct or misbehavior may result in my inability to participate in future laboratory activities.
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Student Signature Date
Dear Parent or Guardian,
This safety contract outlines the school’s effort to create and maintain a safe biology classroom (laboratory) environment. Please read the list of safety rules. 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 the instructor. Your signature on this contract indicates you have read this contract, are aware of the measures taken to ensure the safety of your student in the laboratory, and will instruct your student to uphold his/her agreement to follow these policies and procedures.
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Parent Signature
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Date