STAR Team Science Laboratory Contract

Science is a hands-on laboratory class. You will be doing many laboratory activities, some of which will involve the use of hazardous chemicals, flame, and other items that require caution. Safety in our science classroom is the #1 priority for students, teachers, and parents. To ensure a safe science classroom, you need to follow safety guidelines at all times. These guidelines are listed below. You and your parent/guardian need to agree to these guidelines by signing this contract before you can participate in lab activities.

General Guidelines:

1. Conduct yourself in a responsible manner at all times.

2. When first entering a science room do not touch any equipment, chemicals or other lab materials until you are instructed to do so.

3. Stop and listen to any additional instructions the teacher may give during the lab.

Follow all written and verbal instructions carefully. After careful consideration and discussion with your lab partner, if you do not understand a direction or part of a procedure, ask the teacher before proceeding.

4. Do not eat food or candy, drink beverages, or chew gum during any lab activity. Do not use glassware as containers for food or beverages.

5. Perform only those experiments authorized by your teacher. Never do anything in the laboratory that is not called for in the procedures or instructed by your teacher. Carefully follow all instructions, both written and oral. Unauthorized experiments are dangerous and are prohibited.

6. Be prepared for your work in the laboratory. Read all procedures thoroughly before entering the laboratory. Review these procedures with your partner prior to starting the activity. Check all material/chemical labels before using. Be careful to always use the correct chemical.

7. Be alert and proceed with caution at all times in the laboratory. Notify your teacher immediately of any unsafe conditions you observe.

8. Never fool around in the laboratory. Horseplay, practical jokes, and pranks are dangerous and will result in being removed from the laboratory. Resist the temptation.

9. Observe good housekeeping practices. Work areas should be kept clean and tidy at all times. Bring only your lab materials, worksheets, and/or notebook to the work area. Other materials (books, binders, purses, etc.) should be kept at your desk.

10. Keep aisles clear of belongings. Push chairs in at your desks when not in use.

11. Know the locations and operating procedures of all safety equipment including the first aid kit, eyewash station, fire extinguisher, and fire blanket. Know where the fire alarm and exits are located.

12. Dispose of all chemical waste only as directed by the teacher. Never mix chemicals in sink drains. Sinks are to be used only for water and those solutions permitted by the teacher. Solid chemicals, metals, matches, filter paper, paper towels, and all other insoluble materials are to be disposed of in the proper waste containers, not in the sink.

Check the label of waste containers twice before adding your chemical waste to it.

13. When finished, turn off all water faucets, gas outlets, burners, and hot plates.

14. Keep hands away from face, eyes, mouth and body while using chemicals. Wash your hands with soap and water after performing all experiments.

15. 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 experiments of others.

16. Students are never permitted in the science storage rooms, preparation areas, or classroom cabinets, unless given specific permission by the teacher.

Clothing

17. Any time there is sufficient risk, such as when chemicals, heat, glassware, or projectiles are used, students will wear laboratory goggles. There will be no exceptions to this important safety rule.

18. Dress properly for a lab; avoid baggy clothing or long flowing sleeved shirts, dangly jewelry and perhaps skirts for the ladies (depending on the activity). Tie back long hair.

Accidents and Injuries

19. Report any accident (spill, breakage, etc) or injury (cut, burn, etc.) to your teacher immediately, no matter how trivial it may appear. Also, if you don’t feel well stop working and tell your teacher.

20. If a chemical should splash on your skin, immediately flush with running water from the sink and send your lab partner to tell the teacher. If chemicals splash in your eye(s) notify the teacher immediately to be assisted in using the eyewash station.

Handling Chemicals, Glassware, and Equipment

21. All chemicals in the laboratory are to be considered dangerous. Do not touch, taste, or smell any chemicals unless specifically instructed to do so. When smelling for chemical fumes, use the proper technique of wafting.

22. Never handle broken glass with your bare hands. Use the brush and dustpan to clean up broken glass. Place broken glass in the labeled disposal bucket. Enter the breakage incident into the log book.

23. Examine glassware before each use, especially prior to heating. Never use cracked or dirty glassware.

24. If you do not understand how to use a piece of equipment, ask your teacher for help.

Heating Substances

25. Exercise extreme caution when using flame. Take care that hair, clothing, hands, and worksheets 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.

26. Never leave a flame or anything that is being heated, or is visibly reacting, unattended.

27. Heated metals and glass remain hot for a long time. They should be carefully set aside to cool using tongs or mitts. Allow plenty of time for hot apparatus (hot plate) to cool before touching it.

28. Never look into a container that is being heated or point it in the direction of a person.

Questions

29. Do you wear contact lenses? _____ Yes _____ No

30. Are you color blind? _____ Yes _____ No

31. Do you have allergies? _____ Yes _____ No

If so, list specific allergies…

Agreement

I, (print name) ___________________________________________________, have read and agree to follow all of the safety rules set forth in this contract. I realize that I must obey these rules to insure my own safety and that of my fellow students and teacher. I will cooperate to the fullest extent with my teacher and fellow students to maintain a safe and positive lab environment. I will also closely follow the oral and written instructions provided by my teacher. I am aware that any violation of this safety contract that results in unsafe conduct in the laboratory or misbehavior on my part may result in being removed from the laboratory, detention, and/or receiving a failing grade on that lab activity.

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Student signature and date

Dear Parent or Guardian,

The STAR Team and science department feel that you should be informed regarding the school’s effort to create and maintain a safe science classroom/laboratory environment for your child. With the cooperation of teachers, parents, and students a safety instruction program and commitment can eliminate, prevent, and deal with possible hazards. You should be aware of the safety instructions your son/daughter will receive prior to 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 science teacher. Your signature on this contract indicates that you have read this safety contract and are aware of the measures taken to insure the safety of your child in the science classroom. We hope that you instruct your son/daughter to uphold his/her agreement to follow these rules and procedures. We look forward to a safe and enjoyable year of science discoveries!

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Parent/Guardian signature and date