Safety in the Laboratory
The chemistry laboratory is a safe place to experiment if you are careful. You must assume responsibility for your safety and for your neighbors’ safety. The following are some safety rules to guide you in protecting yourself and others from injury in the lab:
1) The chemistry laboratory is a place for serious work. Conduct yourself at all times in a responsible manner while in the lab.
2) Do not perform experiments without your teacher's permission.
3) If you are in doubt about the safety of any procedure in the laboratory, ask your partner or the teacher before proceeding.
4) Safety goggles must be worn at all times in the laboratory. Eyeglasses don't count. Failure to wear safety goggles in the laboratory will result in your removal from the lab and an F grade for the activity.
5) Lab coats should be worn when working with chemicals.
6) Know where the fire extinguisher and safety equipment are.
7) Report any accident or injury to your teacher, even if it seems extremely minor. Toxic chemicals + minor scratch = poisoning and/or infection.
8) If you spill acid or other corrosive materials, tell your partners to leave the immediate area and ask the teacher for help. If you spill an acid, place a base (baking soda) on it. If you spill a base, place an acid (vinegar) on it.
9) If you spill acid or other corrosive materials on yourself, immediately rinse with plenty of water, and have your lab partner notify the teacher.
10) Never taste any chemicals. Never consume food or beverages or chew gum in the lab!
11) Always be aware of the hazards of working with chemicals before you use them.
12) Do not return unused chemicals to reagent bottles - this causes contamination.
13) Keep combustible materials away from open flames or hot plates.
14) When heating a substance in a test tube, do not point the mouth of the test tube at another person or at yourself.
15) Place broken glass in designated containers. Use a dustpan and broom to clean up any broken glass fragments.
16) Dispose of waste in a teacher-approved manner.
17) When mixing an acid and water, always add the acid slowly to water. Never add water to acid. Doing so will cause the acid to splatter. “Do as you oughta, add acid to watta.”
18) Long hair should be tied back in lab.
19) Long sleeves should be rolled up in lab.
20) Jewelry should be removed when working in lab.
21) Wash your hands with soap and water when finished with laboratory work. This removes any toxic chemicals which may remain on your hands.
22) Never work alone in the laboratory. Work only when the teacher is present.
23) Work areas should be kept clean and tidy at all times.
24) Students are not permitted in chemical storage areas.
25) If a fire drill is called, make sure all equipment is shut off before leaving.
26) No sandals are allowed in the laboratory. Only wear closed-toe shoes.
27) If chemicals splash in your eyes, immediately run to the eyewash station and flush your eyes for approximately 10-20 minutes. Yell for the instructor to come over immediately!
28) Never remove chemicals or other materials from the laboratory area.
29) Make sure that all chemical storage containers are labeled clearly. Remove any old labels before relabeling the container.
30) If a piece of glass sticks in a flask or rubber stopper, have the teacher remove it. Never use force when working with glassware.
31) Never use dirty or cracked glassware. Wash all glassware with soap and water before use.
32) Report any safety violations to the instructor. Safety is everyone's duty.
33) If you do not understand how to use any equipment, ask the instructor for help.
34) Never play with the natural gas valves. Doing so releases gas, and may cause a fire or explosion. Playing with fire, the gas valves, or matches will result in a referral to the principal and a failing grade for the lab.
35) Never leave a lit burner unattended. If you leave a burner, even for a second, turn it off and relight it later.
36) Heated glass and metals stay hot a very long time, and look the same as cool glass or metals. If you are not sure whether glassware or metals are hot, splash a drop or two of water on it; if the water sizzles, don't touch!
37) Never place hot glassware in cold water. It will shatter.
38) Never look into a container that is being heated.
39) Privately notify the teacher if you have any disabilities or medical conditions which may be dangerous in the lab. These will be kept confidential, and all efforts will be made to accommodate your disability or medical condition. Such disabilities include, but are not limited to: hearing or vision impairment, physical disabilities, epilepsy or other seizure disorders, pregnancy, chemical allergies, neurological disorders.
40) If there is a fire in a beaker, pour sand on the beaker to extinguish the flames.
41) If a person’s clothing catches on fire, either put them under the safety shower or wrap them in the fire blanket. NEVER use a fire extinguisher on a person’s body.
Do you wear contacts?
Do you have allergies? If so, please list specific allergies.
I have read and agree to follow all of the safety rules set forth in this contract. I realize I must obey these rules to insure my own safety and that of my fellow students. I am aware that any violation of these rules may result in being removed from the laboratory, in receiving a failing grade, or in being dismissed from the course.
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